Should You Buy A Cat Scratching Post, Pad, or Tree?
Choosing the best cat scratching furniture for your feline friend can be tricky. With options ranging from simple cat scratch pads to elaborate cat tree, how do you decide what’s best? The answer truly depends on your needs, your cat's scratching habits, and the amount of space you have available. You might be searching for something that will meet your cat's needs and look good with your home's decor.
Research shows that scratching is a completely natural feline behavior, used for claw maintenance, marking territory, stretching, and even stress relief. Another study highlights that providing proper scratching surfaces and environmental enrichment can significantly reduce unwanted scratching.
Let’s break down the main differences between the three most common types of cat scratchers available on the market: scratching posts, scratching pads, and scratching trees.
1. The Scratching Post
The traditional cat scratching post is a vertical structure that is usually covered in fabric or sisal rope, which is incredibly durable and ideal for vigourous clawing.
Space Needed: Minimal. A standard post has a small footprint, making it ideal for apartments or homes with limited floor space. It can be tucked neatly into a corner.
Ideal For: Cats who enjoy stretching out and scratching vertically on furniture or door frames. It fulfills their need for a full-body stretch.
If you’re looking for a stylish upgrade, consider a modern cat scratching post or designer cat scratching post, which doubles as functional furniture and a chic addition to your home decor.
2. The Scratching Pad
Cat scratch pads are flat or slightly angled surface, they are most commonly made from corrugated cardboard or sisal, though some are covered in carpet or felt.
Space Needed: Very flexible. These can be placed on the floor, slid under furniture, or even mounted on a wall. They are the most space-efficient option.
Ideal For: Cats who prefer scratching horizontally on carpets or rugs. They are also excellent as supplemental scratchers in multiple rooms.
Looking for something between a scratching post and a pad that offers more? Our wall mounted Art Cat Scratcher is the ideal choice for people who appreciate both style and functionality. Made from high-quality, cat-approved sisal or felt, it can be mounted on your wall to conserve valuable floor space or be displayed on a stand. Each piece features a unique, contemporary print, adding an artistic touch to your home decoration. This is the clever way to keep your cat entertained while enhancing your modern cat furniture setup.
3. The Cat Tree
The ultimate multipurpose furniture item is a cat tree, which combines platforms, perches, and occasionally enclosed beds with scratching surfaces (typically sisal posts)
Space Needed: Significant. Cat trees are large, free-standing structures that require a dedicated spot in a room. However, they combine several cat needs—scratching, climbing, and sleeping—into a single piece of furniture.
Ideal For: Providing an all-in-one activity center. It’s perfect for climbers, multi-cat households, and any cat who claims the high ground as their kingdom.
Which Cat Scratching Furniture Is Best?
The best choice isn’t about what’s most expensive, but what fits your space and your cat’s instincts. Observe your cat: do they stretch up or scratch down? For many cats, the ideal setup is a combination—a space-saving sisal wall mounted vertical cat stretches and a pad for horizontal shredding. By choosing the right cat scratching furniture, you ensure your cat stays happy and your furniture stays safe.
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