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Things to know about scratching furniture for house tigers

Scratching furniture for cats

Scratching posts, scratching boards and other scratching options bring a lot of fun, variety and also opportunities to retreat into the cat's life. Such furniture offers cats, especially indoor cats, an adequate opportunity to live out their instincts. As an alternative, furniture is otherwise a favourite place for cats to get their sharp claws.

Why do cats like to scratch objects?

From a cat's point of view, there are of course a few good reasons to sharpen their claws on certain objects.

One of them is stress relief: stretching and scratching helps to reduce stress and increases the well-being of velvet paws. But grooming their claws and marking their territory are also reasons why cats like to pick at certain objects.

Claw care for velvet paws

In the wild, claws are one of a cat's most important tools. They therefore take meticulous care to maintain and sharpen them well. Cats retract their claws when walking and do not run them off themselves like a dog.

Scratching objects serves to remove the outer, brittle layers. What remains is strong, healthy and sharp horn.

Mark your territory

Between the pads of our cats' feet are glands that emit pheromones. Cats mark their territory by leaving scents in certain places.

These markings need to be refreshed regularly, which is why the same spot is scratched again and again. They favour central places that are frequently frequented by humans and other cats.

What types of cat scratching furniture are there?

The market offers many different scratching elements for cats. From practical to stylish, small to large - the choice is huge and there are no limits to the imagination.

The PERRO online shop offers a selection of the following high-quality scratching furniture:

What scratching furniture does my cat need?

With so many different pieces of scratching furniture to choose from, it's easy to lose track. With a few simple questions, we would like to give you a little guide or help:

Question	Answer
How big is the cat?	Large and heavy cats need stable furniture and lying areas or sleeping caves should also be designed for large cats and offer them enough space. Smaller options are recommended for kittens , e.g. a low scratching post to get them used to it and avoid unnecessary injuries.
What are the cat's personal preferences?	Does the cat love airy heights, a cosy place to sleep and a quiet retreat? Then this should definitely be taken into account when purchasing cat furniture.
How much space does the home offer?	In a small flat with less space, scratching boards or small scratching posts can be a great way for cats to fulfil their instincts . If there is more space, large scratching posts including a lying area and sleeping cave can provide cats with a nice place to play and rest.
What is the right material for cat scratching furniture?	Basically, the furniture should be stable and of good quality . As we at PERRO attach great importance to quality, we make no compromises when it comes to scratching furniture. Natural and robust sisal is most commonly used for scratching posts & Co. When it comes to cat furniture design, we also like to use resistant corrugated cardboard. Scratching furniture made of natural wood is particularly stable and durable and is therefore suitable for particularly energetic house cats.

Does your cat not like or use the scratching post? This is how it works!

It is extremely important for cats that their scratching marks are recognised. That's why a central, highly frequented place for scratching elements isjust right. A location next to the sleeping area or between the feeding and sleeping areas can also increase acceptance. This is because after resting , house cats like to stretch and sometimes sharpen their claws. Catnip can also help to increase attractiveness.

If there is enough space available, several scratching elements can also be placed in different places . Some cats like the choice and variety. In addition, cats like to bewith their humans, watch them and enjoy their presence. It therefore makes sense to place the scratching furniture where you spend a lot of time yourself.

Safety: Set up and attach the ceiling tensioner correctly

Especially with the large scratching posts - also known as ceiling tensioners - an appropriately stable assembly is an important aspect for the safety of humans and animals.

Ceiling tensioners are cat scratching posts that reach from the floor to the ceiling. A true cat paradise. To ensure that they stay that way and don't suddenly tip over when the cat jumps on them, romps around or sharpens its claws, there are a few aspects to consider when purchasing and installing them.

Stable base plate: made of heavy hardwood, for example, is recommended. Important: the base plate must cover the entire base area of the scratching post.
Variable posts: ceiling tensioners have an adjustable (scratching) element at the top. With these, the scratching post can be flexibly adjusted and fixed to the height of the room.
Wall brackets: Some models offer brackets on the sides that allow additional fixation to the wall. A big plus in terms of safety.

The right scratching post - practical tips

Make the best choice for your cat with a few tips.

What exactly?	What to look out for?
It's all about the size	The sleeping caves should not be too big, but not too small either. Cats love to squeeze into places. A diameter of between 30 and 40 cm is ideal for adult cats. A small opening prevents unpleasant draughts.
Material	Scratching posts need to be robust, but the material should also be soft. Sisal fulfils both of these criteria. A scratching element should be at least the length of the cat so that it can stretch out when sharpening its claws.
Everything in view	Cats like to watch and love to look around. Lying options should therefore be located in the upper area of the scratching post . Additional platforms offer even more opportunities and variety.
Playfully easy	Another plus point of a good scratching post are the various play options for the velvet paw. Stairs, tunnels, ropes or play balls bring even more variety and fun into cat life.