# Scratching post
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{{Short description|Object for cats to relieve skin irritation}}
{{for|the band|Scratching Post (band)}}
thumb|upright|A homemade scratching post
A '''scratching post''' is a wooden post covered in rough material that [cat](/source/cat) owners provide so their pets have an acceptable place to scratch. The most common type consists of a wooden post, roughly {{convert|60|–|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall, covered in rough fabric or [sisal](/source/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](/source/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.[{{Cite web |title=How to stop destructive cat scratching {{!}} The Humane Society of the United States |url=https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-stop-cats-destructive-scratching |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=[The Humane Society of the United States](/source/Humane_World_for_Animals) |language=en}}] 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 tree](/source/cat_tree)s." These may have a vertical tension rod that extends to the ceiling to provide extra stability.
== Why cats scratch ==
Cats have a natural urge to scratch.[{{Cite web |title=What To Do If Your Cat Scratches |url=https://topcatbreeds.com/what-to-do-if-your-cat-scratches/}}] As cats are predators it is a reflex for them to sharpen their [claw](/source/claw)s. Other functional reasons they do it include removing the outer sheath of the nail, exercising the muscles of the paws, and stretching.[{{Cite journal |last=DePorter |first=Theresa L |last2=Elzerman |first2=Ashley L |date=2019 |title=Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X19831205 |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |language=en |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=235–243 |doi=10.1177/1098612X19831205 |issn=1098-612X|pmc=11373750 }}] Scratching is also a social outlet for cats that facilitates communication. Cats have scent glands in their [paw](/source/paw)s, allowing them to leave their scents and pheromones on surfaces to [mark territory](/source/Territorial_marking).