scratch posts

[mouses]

i was thinking about buying a large to ceiling tall cat scratch post and was looking for your opinions on them.

asking cat owners if they get used? i understand that all cats are different in character, but just asking in general. do your cats , kittens use them. what age do they tend to not play or use them?

is it best to be huge or do the little ones do just as well. ive seen a few large ones that reach the ceiling, have hammocks, platforms and hide boxes.

my sofa, carpet and other furniture is getting ruined. was hoping one would help? but didnt want it to end up sitting collecting dust.
thanks

[thesixteenthtry]

My cats use their scratching post. It's too small and wobbles but they love it. I keep it in front of the sofa bit which they scratch if it's not there.

[mouses]

that a good sign, im hoping it will take the attention off clawing everything else. might be looking towards a big one then.

[timtam23]

we have a small one - no room for the massive ones - kitten completely ignoring it so far & prefers the sofa or the front door mat (only 9-10 weeks old though, so there may be time for him to change his mind)

Neither of my other cats used a scratch post either, they much preferred the furniture, or the side of the shed if they were outside.

[RandomMess]

Hmm mine use their scratching posts, they have had 2 that are about a foot high and they have loved both. One was just a thin pole the other one is a fat barrel with a bed on top and that gets used too.

[moonbells]

Our old cat refused to use her post, just used to claw a rough-fabric sofa bed. When we scrapped it I covered the post with offcuts, but she'd never scratch the vertical bit, just the base. Some cats just don't use them.

New pair took one look at the post we'd got and dived in for a good old scratch.

[tabulahrasa]

They used a fairly small post, they use a bigger one with platforms and things loads, they sleep on the platforms, climb up the post and use the base for scratching.

[mouses]

thanks for your replies,

my sisters two used theirs until it fell apart, i bought a small one when i first got my cat (at 14wks) he never used it so i gave it away.

he might find a big one more interesting?

[ClairesTravellingCircus]

My cat didn't like the small one as she likes to stretch up the pole, so it needs to be tall enough.

[chickensaladagain]

Ours is about 5ft with platforms and boxes

Was used loads when we first got them, now they are 6 months its used less and they have always used the sofa too

I spray it with cat nip which retains the interest a bit