A scratching post is a wooden post covered in rough material that cat owners provide so their pets have an acceptable place to scratch. The most common type consists of a wooden post, roughly 60–90 cm (24–35 in) tall, covered in rough fabric or sisal. The post is mounted vertically in a wide base, which allows the cat to stretch upward on its rear legs and scratch freely without tipping it over. A post that is unstable or does not allow a cat to fully extend its body might put off the cat from using it. Surfaces vary: the post may be covered in sisal rope, upholstery fabric, the jute backing of a piece of carpet, or sections of corrugated cardboard. Many pet owners say they have to experiment with different surfaces to find one that their cats will scratch reliably. Matt Wildman, a cat behaviorist, explained that sisal or corrugated cardboard surfaces are favored by most cats.^[1] Other kinds of scratching posts are more elaborate, with several levels of horizontal platforms for climbing and cozy cave-like areas where cats may hide. Very tall ones are often called "cat trees." These may have a vertical tension rod that extends to the ceiling to provide extra stability.

Cats have a natural urge to scratch.^[2] As cats are predators it is a reflex for them to sharpen their claws. Other functional reasons they do it include removing the outer sheath of the nail, exercising the muscles of the paws, and stretching.^[3] Scratching is also a social outlet for cats that facilitates communication. Cats have scent glands in their paws, allowing them to leave their scents and pheromones on surfaces to mark territory.^[3]

• 
  A corrugated fiberboard scratching pad
• 
  A wickerwork cat pole
• 
  A variety of scratching posts for sale at a cat show
• 
  An actual tree trunk used as a scratching post
• 
  Cat tree with 2 cats

• Cat tree