Why do cats scratch? How to choose a cat scratching post that suits their nature?

I very often hear: "My cat destroyed the sofa." Or: "Why does he scratch the furniture if he has a scratching post?"

After over 14 years of breeding pedigreed cats, I can say one thing.

A cat does not scratch to spite us. It is simply behaving like a cat.

Scratching is a natural need

Scratching is one of the most important behaviors in a cat's life.

Through it, it grooms its claws, stretches the muscles of its entire body, leaves scent marks, and marks its territory.

This is a behavior that cannot be unlearned. You can only create a place for the cat where it can fulfill this need.

That is why a properly chosen cat scratching post is one of the most important elements of its daily life.

Why does a cat choose the sofa?

Most often because... it is more comfortable for it than the scratching post.

This is not maliciousness. If a scratching post is unstable, too low, or placed in an area the cat doesn't want to use, it will very often choose the sofa.

A cat always chooses the solution that better suits its needs.

A good scratching post must be stable

This is one of the most important things.

While scratching, a cat uses the full strength of its body. If the scratching post wobbles, moves, or makes disturbing sounds, it will very quickly stop using it.

A cat needs a stable base. This is exactly what gives it confidence during everyday use.

Height also matters

While scratching, a cat likes to stretch its entire body. That is why scratching posts that are too low very often fail to serve their purpose, especially in the case of large breeds, such as the Maine Coon.

However, it is worth remembering that not all cats scratch vertically. Many of them just as eagerly, and sometimes even more often, choose horizontal scratching.

This is a completely natural behavior that depends on the cat's character, its preferences, and the way it stretches its body.

That is precisely why we use felt on our shelves and platforms in our designs. For many cats, it becomes not only a comfortable resting place but also a natural surface for horizontal scratching.

Through years of observation, I have noticed that cats very often choose felt themselves. They scratch it. They knead it with their paws. They stretch on it. And a moment later, they simply fall asleep.

This is another example of how well-designed cat furniture should respond to several natural needs simultaneously — enabling rest, observation, climbing, and scratching both vertically and horizontally.

Why do we use felt at PRASKA?

Many people associate felt solely with aesthetics. For me, its role is much greater.

Felt provides the cat with very good grip. Paws do not slip while climbing onto shelves or during play. Thanks to this, the cat moves more confidently and more eagerly uses the entire wall.

This is particularly important for large breeds, senior cats, and kittens that are just learning to navigate vertical space.

A scratching post is much more than a place to wear down claws

A well-designed scratching post allows the cat to stretch its entire body, climb, observe its surroundings, and release emotions.

It is a daily activity that helps maintain good physical and mental condition.

As a breeder, I know how huge an impact the ability to fulfill its natural needs has on a cat's health. A cat that can scratch, climb, rest up high, and freely move around its space is calmer, more confident, and copes much better with everyday stress.

Designed from experience

I do not design scratching posts at a desk. I design them by observing cats.

They are the ones showing me how high they like to stretch, what materials they choose most willingly, and what solutions they use every day.

Therefore, every new PRASKA product undergoes weeks of testing in pedigreed cat catteries, including Maine Coons. The products go to breeders who intensively test them for many weeks. We receive their feedback. We implement corrections. We refine every detail.

Only then does the product go on sale.

Because I know that the best reviewer is not a human. It is the cat.

Frequently Asked Questions