Not all pet furniture has to be an eyesore.
The only problem is that the entire pet product market is full of items that don’t consider the space surrounding them.
Some cat scratchers can fit into a well-designed interior, but you have to go digging for them.
Here is a list of 17 of my favorites that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to have inside my home.
Papuk Connect System
The connect system isn't just a cat scratcher, but a full modular system that you'll love to display in your home (which is hard to say with most cat furniture). Papuk has reached out to offer minimalgoods readers with a 15% discount using code MINIMALGOODS_
Farrell Cat Tree
This minimalistic cat scratcher is neutral in color, doesn’t have any visible branding, and is simple enough to fit into most homes with its neutral color.
Tab scratching board
I think this is my favorite board on this list. Its simple design allows it to be placed anywhere, and the thick wooden caps on the ends give it a subtle feeling of sophistication.
There is also an optional wall-mount for this board, allowing you to mount it vertically on the wall quickly.
Cat scratch pad and lounge
Not all scratchers have to be vertical. This simple scratchpad is a broad, low base that also acts as a place for your cat to chill out.
Zip Scratching Post
This rectangular piece is nice and tall, mounted on a broad wooden base. The wood color matches the post, making this look at home in any modern room.
Cat scratcher set
These scratchers are interesting not just because of their simple geometric shape but because of their modular design. Have a few cats? Simply attach a few more.
Wall-mounted cat scratcher
Speaking of geometric scratchers, this is another decent alternative if you’re looking for something to get off the ground and onto the wall. This photo has it mounted way too high on the wall, but a little bit lower will give your cat a nice place to stretch as well.
Minimal wall mounted cat scratcher
This wall-mounted scratcher has a lovely wooden frame and excellent color contrast between it and the scratching material.
Its slim rectangular design might make this a good option to mount on a wall in a smaller space.
Sphere Cat Scratcher
If you’re looking for a scratcher that’s slightly different from what you would expect, this sphere-shaped one might be a good choice.
Tall Cat wall scratching post
This is another wall-mounted option, but instead of flat against the wall, it pops out with a simple, tall cylindrical design.
Wall-mounted cat scratcher
This scratcher is pretty similar to some of the others above, but I included it because of the softer appearance with its rounded frame.
Vertical cat scratching post
Out of all the options on this list, this one feels more like a piece of modern home decor and less like a pet product. Its broad base should give it a decent grip on the floor, and the rounded shape gives it a ton of surface area.
Wall-mounted cat scratcher
This is another tall, wall-mounted option that would be great for apartments. This frame is half rounded, half squared off, giving it a stylish look.
Way Basics Cat Scratcher Cube
We all know cats love boxes; why not combine it with a scratching board to bring in the best of both worlds? This modern option almost looks like a piece of IKEA furniture, making it easy to fit into any room in your home.
Cactus cat scratching post
If you’re looking for something that’s still modern but has a bit more personality, this cute scratching post might fit the bill.
Curved wall-mounted scratching post
This curved post has a small piece on the bottom to rest slightly on the floor. This design is pretty interesting because it grounds the base to the floor in a thoughtful way.
Customizable wall mounted cat scratcher
This is a pretty basic scratcher, but it’s different from the rest because of the sellers customization options. You choose your frame, let them know your cats’ name, and they’ll engrave it at the top of the product.
Why do cats like scratching posts?
If you’ve ever owned a cat, you know how much they like to scratch (hopefully not all of your furniture). Why is that? Here are a few of the reasons.
Natural instinct
Cats just like to scratch because it’s in their nature. A few experts have said that it commonly happens when the cat is bored or the environment isn’t set up for their needs.
Instead of letting them scratch up your furniture (including your fancy human dog bed of course), cat scratchers will provide them with a better alternative.
Nail maintenance
Like the rest of us, cats’ nails naturally grow over time. Providing your cat with a scratcher will allow the cat to slowly wear down their nails when scratching, keeping them nice and healthy.
Stretching
It’s no surprise that cats sleep a lot. Stretching after a nap helps increase blood flow to the cats’ body, preparing them for activity before the next nap.
The benefit of having a vertical or wall-mounted cat scratcher is that it naturally encourages the cat to reach up farther than it normally would when satisfying that need to scratch.
Adding scent to an area
Like many pets, cats are also territorial animals. By scratching an area, they release their scent, warning other animals that this spot has been taken.
FAQ
How do I get my cat to use a scratching post?
Sometimes a cat needs a little time to warm up to a scratching post before using it. A simple strategy is to learn where your cat is stretching in a particular area, then placing the scratching pad there.
Adding a little bit of catnip to the pad will help encourage the cat to get the ball rolling.
Can you repair a scratching post?
This often comes down to what sort of scratching post you bought, as well as the material on it. Most of the time, you’ll just need some feline siscal fabric and a way to attach it to the post. Here is a guide showing how to repair a post.
How often should you replace your scratching post?
The quality of the scratching pad often dictates how long it will last. Some say a good quality post will last up to 6 months with daily use, but your results may vary.
What are cat scratcher materials made of?
It’ll often vary per product, but sisal fabric is commonly used on many posts. It’s a stiff fiber made with tight weaves, which helps protect the cats’ claws against damage while providing a pretty robust material.
