SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post – Beige, Large 32 Inch Tower - Sisal Fiber, Simple Design - For All Cats

OMG - Insanely good and sturdy. OK, now for why I say that. I used to have a huge carpet covered cat tower with a pagoda type house on top (still have it, just not in the living room any longer). First thing each morning and thru out the day, my indoor/outdoor (ie has claws) female cat would just shred the daylights out of it. And there would be plastic strands sticking out all over so every month or so I had to give the cat tower a "hair cut". Finally it looked so bad I moved it out to the porch. Which started Ms Claws (Tootsie) going after a couple of recliners, and (her favorite) the wicker shelving in the bathroom. I needed a scratch post for inside.I looked at ALL of them on Amazon. I read HUNDREDS of reviews. While sisal covered things never excited Tootsie, it became obvious any scratching post with carpet would be quickly dispatched to the dump once she laid into it. So sisal it would have to be. Then everyone said having the post be tall enough so the kitty could stretch was very important. Made sense to me as she would stretch out on the wicker shelf unit in the bathroom before reducing it to rubble even further. So I found this one. Kinda pricey I thought but at 32" high, it was the tallest one on Amazon. And reviewers said it was sturdy (don't need some tippy piece of crap).So I got this cat scratching post. And some of the catnip spray that some reviewers used to entice kitty to like the scratching post. And I got a dealie bob that is covered in sisal to hang from the front door knob (hoping she'd scratch that to go out rather than the trim around the door) (that hasn't happened yet).Before we see how it worked, let me tell you how it's built. I come from an engineering background as does all my family. So I can recognize sturdy and well built from cheap piece O crapola. Ha! Even tho it said it is 32" tall, it doesn't really register until you see that it stands taller than the bathroom vanity. The base is 16" x 16" which others have said gave it stability. They are correct. And then if you look real closely at the base of the sisal part you'll see some molding that rings the square vertical post. Because that part is screwed firmly into the vertical part covered in sisal, it increases the stability factor a great deal (someone was thinking when they designed this). The wood surfaces have a nice finish on them. It's a nice nuetral color overall so will match nearly any decor. Oh, and the sisal covered part is approx. 6x6" so quite stout compared to a 4" cardboard tube with carpet stapled to it. And it is bombproof.I first tried squirting the catnip spray on it. Meh! says the cat, the wicker shelf unit is more fun. Then I take the peacock feather that I use for the "behind the bathroom door" game and wiggle the eye end of the feather up by the top of the post. Tootsie sees it. She crouches. She wiggles her butt in the pre-launch stage. Then she LEAPS up, landing clinging by front and back claws to the upper part of the post, nailing the feather and hanging well above the floor. Whoa! and the post didn't even wobble or jiggle or lean. Ninja Kitty made a flying leap and the post just sat there, all nice and steady. After a few rounds of flying kitty onto big tall sturdy scratching post, she got the idea that THIS was the new Scratchable of Choice. And it is definitely tall enough that nearly any cat (even the Big Boys) can get a good long stretch - fully extended my cat doesn't reach the top.I did read that the same company makes a shelf that can be screwed on top for your cat to lay on ($15.99 elsewhere on Amazon). But that person said they thought you could as easily make a better one by taking a piece of board, putting foam on it, then stapling fabric of your choice over that. While that is true, I figured what is the real chance of me doing that? (like in the next 5 years - let's be real - not very big). I don't really need a laying place on top of this but just thought I'd mention the options because others might like that. What we're doing now is I put one of her toys up on top of the post. She sees it up there sometime during the day, and has to leap up and cling to the top of the post so she can knock it off. Then later I find it and put it back on top. You get the picture.Anyways, this gets a 2 thumbs up as a big beefy cat scratching post. Oh, and another side note: My Maine Coon kitty (Cassie, built like a tank - a biiig girl) who had no front claws when I got her - she also likes to "scratch" and stretch on this sturdy post. So she can lean her big self against the post and remains rock solid. Love it!

After trying multiple brands that tipped over and scared my cat, I finally found this one—problem solved! It’s tall, thick, and super sturdy, so it doesn’t budge when my cat scratches. Plus, it has a nice, clean look that fits well in my home. So happy with this purchase, and most importantly, my cat loves it too! Highly recommend!

This scratching post is perfect for cats who like to use things like this. It is worth the price when you consider that it should last a very, very long time and due to how heavy duty and stable it is compared to others. It also claims that it is made with sisal fabric that is of superior quality to sisal rope.This was very easy to assemble and feels very good quality compared to some cheaper options out there.Another great thing is how tall it is, it allows even grown cats to stand up and stretch their muscles while they scratch, which they enjoy and is good for them. So far they've not had issues with getting their claws stuck.This scratcher is very stable. My cat is able to even climb on it without it tipping, which is in part due to the large square base. Even when it isn't being climbed, I would think a cat would like for it to be stable while scratching on it rather than wobbling around as some cheaper posts can do. Though if pricing is a priority, you can get cheaper posts that will serve their purpose well enough.All it took to get him to use it for the first time was for me to scratch on it with my own nails because he associates the sound with other scratchers (like the smaller ones on his cat tower) and also because he likes to try to catch my hand when I do that on things. Once he knew it was for him, he uses it every day and our other cats do to maybe a slightly lesser extent. A cat may not spend a long time on it at once, but they definitely seem to appreciate it being there and being able to do so when they want to or when they enter the room it's in.Some cats don't seem to care as much for scratching posts in general, even if they like to scratch rugs and furniture, so if that's the case, this might not change that. But if you have a cat that does enjoy things like this, I definitely recommend this one.

My cat absolutely loves this scratching post! I had the same one for four years before finally replacing it with a new one, and my cat took to it immediately. Just as much as before.The sturdy build, tall height, and durable sisal fiber make it perfect for cats to stretch and scratch comfortably. It’s simple, well-made, and lasts a long time.If you’re looking for a high quality, cat approved scratching post, this is it! I’ll definitely keep repurchasing it for years to come.

Believe every positive review on this product. It is sooooo sturdy. It's tall, so the cats can really stretch out and scratch aware. My cat actually has learned to go to this post when she needs to scratch or even when she feels like stretching. I've had it for 1 month. Stands up well. She can't knock it down. Looks fine in the den. Great buy. Highly recommend for anyone with cats. It will safe your furniture.

This is a substantial scratching post. I have gone through three inexpensive scratching posts in the2-1/2 years I have had my one-cat wrecking crew. This felt wasteful by comparison. This post is tall, heavy, stable and well made. My cat seems to like being able to stretch out the full length of his body while he is using the post. He also seems to have lost interest in destroying my couch. It’s amazing! I I think this scratching post will last a long time so it is worth the cost.