The whole point of a cat scratching post is to keep your cat happy. However, if your cat still prefers your scratches to the post, then the post was probably a waste of your money. Therefore, you want to make sure that you have a cat scratching post that keeps your cats happy. Different materials will suit the preferences of your cat. Many cats like sisal fibers because they are designed to be attractive to your cat. They are also generally very good for the cat’s claws. The rough material is good for shedding the outer dead layer on the claws, so many cats tend to love the feel of it. Some cats, however, may prefer different materials. They may tend to get their paws stuck in certain designs; you want to find a material that is good for your cat’s paws. If your cat likes something softer than sisal, then you may want to go for a carpeted cat scratcher.

A carpet usually does not last as long as sisal fibers, but it is great for cats who do not necessarily like the rough feeling of the sisal. The right material alone is obviously not always going to be enough to keep your cat happy. The best cat scratching posts also need to be sturdy. Otherwise, your rambunctious kitty might accidentally knock it over and get too scared to go back to it. It also helps if they fit in a location around where your cat likes to hang out. Good cat scratchers will be a practical size. They will be the right weight to prevent tipping, but also light enough that you can move them from room to room, depending on your cat’s needs. Eventually, you will probably find a good location that suits your cat. However, when you first get your cat scratching post, it will be a learning experience for both you and your cat.

Cat scratching posts come in all different sizes. If your cat likes to stretch out and climb as it scratches, then you want a relatively tall post. The taller the post, the easier it will be to knock over unless the base is sufficiently sturdy and heavy. All the best cat scratching posts will not fall over that easily. Therefore, if you want a good lightweight post, then you will have to consider getting a post that is a little too small for your big cat. Smaller cats probably will not need such a big cat scratching post, but larger posts still might be convenient if they like to climb around. If you think a bigger post is good for you, then remember that bigger ones can be slightly more expensive. If you do not have space for even a small post, then there are some models that will save you a little bit of space.

You can get a wall-mounted cat scratching post, which just goes up against your wall. It is usually sturdy because it uses your wall for extra support if the shape and the design work well with your wall. A wall-mounted post might even be big enough for larger cats that like to stretch. You can also try out a couch corner post, which attaches to the corner of your couch. It can hide already existing scratch marks on your furniture, and it is great if your cat really will not leave your couch alone. Additionally, it will save a lot of space, but it is only really going to be as big as your couch, so it may not be perfect if your big cat likes to stretch while scratching.

Plenty of cat scratching posts come with features besides simply possessing a pole that your cat likes to scratch. Some have both carpeted and sisal regions if your cat likes both the soft carpet the resembles your furniture and the rough sisal that is healthy for its nails. The carpet material and sisal fiber combination are also great if you are not yet sure what your cat’s preferences are. A combination post is a great way to figure out what exactly your cat is going to like. Another important additional feature is a bed. Lots of cats like resting on top of their scratching post.

Therefore, lots of great posts come with a bed on top that your cat will love. It is an added bonus if you can sometimes remove this bed for when your cat is not in the mood to climb. Removal bed is also beneficial because they are easier to clean. If your cat is more of the playful type, then you can find a post with a toy on top instead. Most of the good toys will be a plush ball attached to a string or spring, but other shapes are also available if you think your cat may have other preferences. Since toys are relatively easy to break, some of the better cat scratching posts will come with more than one toy on top so that your cat can stay entertained for as long as possible. Some of the good cat scratching posts will also come with a toy near the base as well if your small cat is not so into climbing to the top of the post.

Cat scratching posts are designed not to be torn apart the second your cat tries out its paws. However, nothing that is taking so much rough scratching is going to last forever. Still, you definitely want it to last a long time because you do not want your cat to eventually go back to scratching your sofa. Therefore, durability is definitely important. You do not want your post to break if it ever falls over, which is why the best cat scratching posts are going to be specifically designed with a sturdy base that can withstand climbing and rough scratching, even from the biggest cats. The material of the actual post is also going to make a difference because some materials are going to more durable than others. Sisal fibers, for example, tend to last a relatively long time.

Carpet, on the other hand, gets torn apart quickly. You also will have to vacuum up all the carpet fibers that your cat leaves behind on the floor near the post. The carpets on the best cat scratching posts are going to be of high quality, so they will still last you a decent amount of time. However, in terms of durability, sisal is definitely going to be your best bet. Sisal is tough, and it can take a lot of scratching before your cat’s claws make all that much of a dent in it. You also do not need to vacuum it up ever, which is an advantage if you do not have enough time for all that much cleaning.

The cost of your cat scratching post can vary, so you can find a good cat scratching post that fits within your price range. If a cat scratcher is expensive, it must be worth the money that you spend on it. It must last you a long time, and it has to be something that both you are your cat are going to be happy with. The better ones will be slightly more expensive, but you will definitely get a lot of good use out of it. The cheaper ones will be smaller, which means they may not last as long and they may not be ideal if you have a bigger cat that likes to stretch and climb.

However, if a cat scratcher is highly evaluated, it will still do its job, even if it is on the cheaper side. Cheaper scratching posts should still be a product that your cat will enjoy more than it enjoys your couches and other furniture. It should also be able to last you a long enough time so that you do not have to replace it constantly. It may not last as long as some of the more expensive options, but it should definitely not fall apart quickly.