Quality Scratching Posts - What to Look For

Choosing the Right Scratching Post for Your Cat
At Feline Design (we're online), we have more tips on narrowing down your search for a great scratching post for your beloved feline gepanion, but here are some general guidelines...
I'd suggest that you print this, so you can take it with you when you look for your cat's gear.
First, let's establish some reasonable objectives.
A cat post should, ABOVE ALL, provide the follwing basic benefits:
1) Adequate Scratching Surface, 2) Sufficient length for a great stretch, 3) Stability to prevent tipping over, 4) A reasonable lifespan 5) Tactile appeal, and 6) Safety from anything that would harm the cat.
1) Adequate Scratching Surface
We have found sisal rope to be accepted by most cats as a scratching surface. It should be very tightly wrapped, and secure at either end. A sisal rope of 3/8 inch will obviously last longer than 1/4 inch. Some cats prefer carpeting. A well constructed carpeted scratching post will be satisfactory, as long as it meets these other criteria.
2) Sufficient length for a great stretch
A vertical post needs to be high enough for your cat to get a great stretch. These critters are finely tuned hunting machines with a muscular system that needs to be in harmony. Just think if there was no good place where you could stretch out. Wouldn't that bite? Well your cat is even more picky about these things. You've seen her stretch out, either up a vertical surface, or splayed out on the floor. This is obviously important to her. If you are just training a kitten to scratch, a 16" scratcher will be OK. If you have an average-sized cat, you can get away with a 24" scratcher. If your cat is big, get her a post that is 30" or more. If your cat is truly a giant, you should start thinking about 35" or more. Many cats will also scratch on a horizontal plane. The same applies to these scratchers. A 16" long cardboard scratcher might work for a kitten or a very small cat, but how will he get his stretch from that? Also, cardboard can be a real pain due to the debris left over from the scratching.
3) Stability to prevent tipping over
Stability gees from several factors. First, base size and weight in relation to height. A base should typically be wide enough that you can expect the cat to scratch it without tipping it. If the base is wide enough, the cat can stand on the base and scratch. That would prevent most tipping incidents. A scratching post with a platform on top should have an even more stable base than one without a platform. How is a cat supposed to jump up to a perch which is atop a post with a tiny base? Tiny bases are a sign that the cat furniture designer is more interested in the product's ability to be packaged and shipped. A 19" base will give your cat something to stand on and scratch a tall post. A 16" base is really only good for 24" posts. However, a 24" post with a platform on top must have a 19" base. The 16" base just won't always prevent a tipping incident when a cat takes a spirited leap. These base sizes can be reduced somewhat if they are made of heavy materials. 5/8" or thicker OSB should provide a little more weight at the base.
4) A Reasonable lifespan
Regarding the longevity of a scratcher, I have covered many things already, like a thicker diameter sisal rope and premium carpeting...
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(By the way, if you see a scratching post at the right ----------------