Why Cats Need Scratching Posts and How to Choose Them

By Dr Duncan Houston

Scratching is an ordinary part of living with a cat. The practical goal is to provide places that satisfy the behaviour while fitting the home.

A post that looks good to a person may be too short, unstable or inconvenient for the cat. A few observations can prevent repeated purchases of equipment the cat ignores.

Quick Answer

Cats scratch to maintain their claws, stretch and leave scent and visible marks. Offer stable surfaces in locations your cat already uses, with enough space for the chosen movement. A good scratching setup supports the behaviour rather than trying to eliminate it.

What scratching achieves

The cat hooks the front claws into a surface and pulls, often stretching through the shoulders and back. Loose outer claw layers may come away during the movement. Scratch marks and scent also make the location familiar.

A cat may scratch after resting, during everyday movement around the home or near an important boundary. That is useful information about placement, not proof that the cat is deliberately damaging your belongings.

Match orientation and texture

Observe whether your cat works upright on a sofa arm, along a carpet or at an angle. Offer a corresponding vertical post, flat pad or angled board. Materials differ in feel; a cat that ignores smooth fabric may readily use sisal or corrugated cardboard.

Make sure the post remains steady when pulled and lets the cat stretch fully. Secure pads that slide across the floor. Check the entire structure, including platforms and fixings, rather than only its scratching surface.

Place resources where they are useful

Put a scratcher beside the current target and offer another near a resting place. In a multi-cat home, distribute options so cats can scratch without approaching a competitor. There is no advantage in having several posts in one inaccessible corner.

Once the cat reliably uses a new surface, any move can be gradual. Do not abruptly remove the only accepted post because you prefer another location.

Encourage voluntary use

Praise or reward the cat just after scratching the chosen surface. A toy nearby can invite exploration. Let the cat investigate and use the post without being held in position; dragging their paws down it is unnecessary.

Protect vulnerable furniture with a secure cover while habits develop. Check protectors for loose pieces. Avoid scaring the cat away from the room, because that does not create a satisfactory alternative.

Maintenance and ordinary claw care

Keep a familiar post while it remains stable and usable. Replace one with dangerous loose pieces or failed fixings. A worn appearance alone is not a reason to take away a favourite resource.

Look at claws during comfortable routine handling and ask the veterinary team for help with care when needed. Scratching furniture is different from repeatedly scratching or chewing the skin; describe the exact behaviour if seeking advice.

Make comfortable choices easy

Keep quiet resting places, accessible resources and opportunities for play available throughout the day. In a home with several cats, check that one animal is not blocking another’s food, litter tray or favourite route. A cat should not have to remain beside a person or another pet to reach something essential.

Predictable routines help you notice changes, but leave room for individual preference. Offer attention and pause; let the cat’s response guide what happens next. Reward the behaviour you want without forcing physical contact.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Buying for decorative appearance alone
• Putting every scratcher in a spare room
• Forcing the cat’s paws onto the surface
• Removing an accepted post before its replacement is used

Frequently asked questions

Does an indoor cat still need to scratch?

Yes. Indoor living does not remove the behaviour.

How tall should the post be?

It should support the individual cat’s full stretch without wobbling. Overall product height can be misleading.

Why does my cat prefer cardboard?

Texture preferences vary. A stable cardboard surface can be a useful choice when it suits the cat.

Should I keep a scratcher after furniture scratching stops?

Yes. The appropriate outlet is part of the ongoing solution.

The practical takeaway

Stability, texture and location make a scratcher useful. Keep accepted options available and support a normal behaviour with equipment the cat actually chooses.

Sources and further reading

• Cats Protection: scratching
• Evidence and practical guidance

For help organising everyday observations and questions for your veterinary team, explore the ASK A VET™ app. Urgent problems need in-person veterinary care.