Types of Cat Scratching Posts

Sisal Rope

• Sisal rope scratching posts and cat furniture provide long-lasting scratching surfaces for cats. Sisal is very tough and resists shredding very well. Sisal scratching posts are excellent choices for cats who prefer to claw and scratch rough surfaces, and it's useful if you want to teach your cat that carpeted surfaces are not for clawing and scratching. Sisal rope posts and furniture are also among the cheaper alternatives. The main downside to sisal is that it is not very easy to incorporate catnip into it to make it more attractive to your cat.

Carpet

• Carpeted scratching posts and cat furniture make up the bulk of most manufactured scratching posts and furniture. It is easily made, easy to work with and can be attached to many different surfaces and shapes. It is also much easier to use to make larger cat trees. Carpet is not nearly as durable as sisal, so over time it shreds and loses bits of the nap, making it messy. Carpet also retains dirt and debris, so it will need occasional vacuuming

Cardboard

• Cardboard scratching surfaces are fairly new and by far the cheapest alternative. Most cardboard scratching surfaces are refillable; you buy the kit once, and then just buy the inserts that the cat scratches. Cardboard, which has a lot of holes, can easily accommodate catnip to make it more attractive; however, it shreds easily, leading to bits of cardboard around. Some cats also like to chew on cardboard, which is not good due to the chemicals present in cardboard.

Wood

• Wood is another type of scratching surface. These types are not very common but are probably the closest thing to what a cat in the wild would use to stretch, mark and shed on. A wood post will be very durable, more so than sisal. It does not lend itself to hosting catnip, but it also will not retain dirt or leave bits of itself laying around.

Horizontal or Vertical

• One other thing to consider when buying your cat a scratching post or furniture is whether or not it prefers vertical or horizontal surfaces. Some cats like to rear up and pull down, while others like to stretch way out along the floor and pull. Most large cat trees provide both surfaces, while the basic post is more for vertical than horizontal. Cardboard types tend to lay directly on the floor. Some types of vertical scratching posts can be hung from a doorknob or off the back of a door. The best thing you can do is observe your cat. If it tends to rear up to claw, then a vertical post is your best bet. If your cat favors your carpet or rugs, then a floor-based horizontal kit is better.