Cat Scratching & Cat Trees Hub
Stop the sofa scratching for good — choose, place and use posts, trees and scratchers cats love.
Scratching is a need, not naughtiness — so the goal is never to stop it, but to redirect it. This hub explains why cats scratch, how to save your sofa, carpet and wallpaper, and how to choose posts, trees, cardboard scratchers and wall shelves your cat will actually pick.
Placement and height matter more than price — we cover both, plus claw care and why declawing is illegal in the UK.
Practical and UK-focused — guidance from living with cats, not veterinary advice.
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Buying guides
Pick the right thing, first time.Best Cat Tree for Multiple Cats: Avoiding Turf Wars
Choosing the best cat tree for multiple cats comes down to multiple perches, wide bases and clever placement. Here's how to keep the peace in a multi-cat home.
Best Cat Tree for Large Cats and Maine Coons
Big cats need a big, sturdy tree. Here's how to choose a heavy-duty cat tree for large breeds and Maine Coons that won't wobble, tip or feel cramped.
Best Scratching Post for Heavy and Aggressive Scratchers
Heavy scratchers need a tall, heavy, sisal-wrapped post that won't wobble. Here's how to choose one sturdy enough to actually survive your cat.
Best Cat Tree for Kittens: Safe Heights and Easy Climbs
How to pick a kitten-safe cat tree with low platforms, wide bases and easy climbs, so your kitten builds confidence without a nasty fall.
How to Choose a Scratching Post: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A UK buyer's guide to choosing a scratching post: height, sturdiness, materials and placement that actually stop your cat scratching the furniture.
How to Choose a Cat Tree: Height, Stability and Features
A no-nonsense guide to choosing a cat tree, covering height, stability, materials and features so you buy one your cat actually uses, not ignores.
Best Budget Cat Trees and Scratchers in the UK
You don't need to spend a fortune to give your cat somewhere to climb and scratch. Here's how to spot a budget cat tree that lasts, and where to save and splurge.
Problem solving
Fix the everyday struggles.Why Won't My Cat Use the Scratching Post? (And How to Fix It)
Scratching is normal and necessary. Here is exactly why your cat ignores the post, how to choose one they will use, and how to redirect them off the sofa for good.
How to Stop a Cat Scratching When You Rent (Deposit-Safe Tips)
Renting with a cat and worried about your deposit? Here's how to redirect scratching, protect carpets and walls, and keep your landlord happy.
How to Stop a Cat Scratching the Carpet and Stairs
Cats scratch carpet and stairs to stretch and mark, not to be naughty. Add a horizontal scratcher where they dig and the habit usually transfers fast.
Why Do Cats Scratch? The Real Reasons Behind the Behaviour
Cats scratch to mark territory, condition their claws, stretch and relieve stress. It's normal and healthy. Here's what's really going on, and how to manage it.
Where to Put a Scratching Post: Placement That Works
Your cat ignores the scratching post? Placement is usually the reason. Here's where to put it so your cat actually uses it and leaves the sofa alone.
How to Stop a Cat Scratching the Sofa for Good
Stop a cat scratching the sofa by giving better alternatives, protecting the furniture and redirecting the habit — here's the exact plan that actually works.
How to Redirect Cat Scratching to a Post They'll Actually Use
Stop the sofa shredding by making the post more tempting than the furniture: right spot, right surface, catnip and gentle reward. A practical UK guide.
How to Stop a Cat Scratching Wallpaper and Walls
Cats scratch walls to mark territory and climb. Give them a tall scratcher and a vertical climbing route nearby and the wallpaper usually gets a reprieve.
Compare & decide
This or that — settled.Sisal vs Cardboard Scratchers: Which Lasts and Which Cats Prefer
Sisal lasts longer and suits vertical posts; cardboard is cheaper and many cats love shredding it. Here's how to choose by durability, cost and cat preference.
Horizontal vs Vertical Scratchers: Matching Your Cat's Style
Some cats scratch up, some scratch out. Watch what your cat already shreds, then match the angle — here's how to read their style and pick the right scratcher.
Cat Tree vs Scratching Post: Which Does Your Cat Need?
A scratching post protects your furniture; a cat tree adds climbing, perching and territory. Here's which your cat actually needs — and when one is plenty.
Quick answers
The small questions, answered.How Tall Should a Scratching Post Be for Your Cat?
A scratching post should let your cat stretch out fully, so taller than them on their hind legs: at least 60cm, ideally 75cm-plus for an adult cat.
Do Scratching Posts Help With Claw Health? What the Science Says
Scratching isn't just about marking territory. Here's how a good post keeps your cat's claws healthy, and why it's a genuine part of feline self-care.
How Many Scratching Posts Per Cat Do You Really Need?
Aim for at least one scratching post per cat plus one spare, spread across the rooms they use. Here's how to work out the right number for your home.
Are Cardboard Cat Scratchers Worth It? Pros, Cons and Lifespan
Cardboard cat scratchers are cheap, cat-approved and great for shredders, but they wear fast and make a mess. Here's whether they're worth it for your cat.
Related hubs
The cat enrichment checklist
Scratching, climbing and play ideas for a happy cat — free.