# Cat owners: what's your scratching-post-to-cat ratio? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 13, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753 "2008-10-13T19:07:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/1 "2008-10-13T19:07:31Z")
Scratching-post-to-cat ratio = (number of scratching posts) / (number of cats) Also, do your cats scratch the furniture? ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/2 "2008-10-13T19:12:17Z")
Two cats, one post. One of the cats uses the post (and only the post), the other cat uses whatever he’s closest to when he feels the urge. So yeah, he uses the furniture. No noticeable damage though, after 10+ years. I guess that’s because he spreads the love, doesn’t focus on one piece of furniture. He really likes the carpet on the basement steps. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/3 "2008-10-13T19:14:08Z")
One cat, one post. For all the good it does; bastard scratches everything _but_ the post. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/4 "2008-10-13T19:14:31Z")
We don’t have posts, as Their Sacred Majesties prefer the double-wide, catnip-infused luxury that is the [Trader Joe’s scratchie box](http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/pets/good-product-trader-joes-double-wide-cat-scratcher-055542)(that’s not my cat). 7 / 2 Not that I know of. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/5 "2008-10-13T19:16:31Z")
Yeah, I forgot to say, count any device designed to be scratched by cats as a scratching post for these purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/6 "2008-10-13T19:29:29Z")
2 [cats](http://gloriana.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album08&id=kitty_love) 1 very tall scratching post so they can stretch out to scratch - gets a lot of use 1 flat cardboard scratcher - gets moderate use 1 regular sized scratcher, hung on a doorknob in the hallway - a little use My cats don’t scratch the furniture as a rule. [Diego](http://gloriana.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album09&id=IMG_0052) started scratching the top of a wooden chest, so I bought the flat cardboard scratcher which seems to be fulfilling his need to scratch on a flat surface (I still catch at him every now and then, but its much rarer). When I got Diego and [Serafina](http://gloriana.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album09&id=serafina_cleaning_house), I was very careful to train them to scratch their post. They will scratch their post on command for fish flake treats and they are overall very good kitties. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/7 "2008-10-13T19:39:51Z")
2 cats, 1 post. Plus 3 chairs, one box spring, any hanging clothes, and occasionally my leg. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/8 "2008-10-13T19:52:00Z")
> [@Baldwin](#): > > One cat, one post. For all the good it does; bastard scratches everything _but_ the post. I’ve got five o’ dem bastids. We have rough cedar around our doorways. THey all love it. They’re slowly destroying the house, but they tend to stay away from the furniture (except for the cheap area rug, which one kitty has pretty much trashed). ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/9 "2008-10-13T19:53:44Z")
Two cats: Bern will not use the stratching post or the cardboard scratchy thing. She prefers the arms of the furniture, the footstool, and my right breast. Cleo, she who is declawed, loves the stratching post and the cardboard scratchy thing. She also lays on the arm of the couch and claws the edge - we guess it SOUNDS like she’s doing something. She only drools on my breasts, thanks heavens. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/10 "2008-10-13T19:56:55Z")
3:1 Two cats. Two scratching posts on each floor of the house. Most of them are cardboard superscratchers. And they don’t scratch the furniture at all. When they were young kittens, they did scratch up the bottoms of the couches and the bed. Fortunately, only in places that don’t show. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/11 "2008-10-13T19:58:08Z")
Both of my cats are determined not to scratch anything made for that purpose. The couch? Perfect for scratching! The scratching post? That is obviously not good enough for kitties. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/12 "2008-10-13T20:00:18Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > Both of my cats are determined not to scratch anything made for that purpose. The couch? Perfect for scratching! The scratching post? That is obviously not good enough for kitties. So what’s your ratio? ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/13 "2008-10-13T20:02:54Z")
1 cat and 1 post, it’s a combo plaything, scratching post and general perch to laze on and gaze imperiously at everyone. She doesn’t use the scratch post often, but it does get used. Our living room furniture has a corduroy-like upholstery, she loves “scratching” it but doesn’t damage it, it’s more like claw massage. Fun to watch when she lays on the floor and drags herself the length of the couch by clawing along, yet she’s never left a mark on it. There’s wicker furniture outside on the porch that she likes to scratch on, it’s like she knew it was okay because it was outside stuff so we’ve never bothered correcting her. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/14 "2008-10-13T20:03:28Z")
Infinite. We don’t have a post. Our cat only scratches at some plastic boxes, so we weren’t concerned about it. He leave furniture and fabric alone. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/15 "2008-10-13T20:04:46Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Infinite. We don’t have a post. Actually zero. Infinite would be if you had a scratching post but no cat. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/16 "2008-10-13T20:06:16Z")
> [@MissTake](#): > > Two cats: > Bern will not use the stratching post or the cardboard scratchy thing. So your ratio is 1:1, correct? ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/17 "2008-10-13T20:27:37Z")
I have one of [these](http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+1897+17643&pcatid=17643)and three cats. They all love it and claw it and sleep on it and hide behind it and fight each other for it, though they wouldn’t touch it until I rubbed dried catnip into it. They do not scratch furniture if they value their furry little lives, but they do claw area rugs. Of course, they go outdoors, too, where \*everything’s \*their scratching post. ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/18 "2008-10-13T20:37:45Z")
Four cats and only one post, but it’s [a really big one](http://www.flickr.com/photos/31363309@N05/2938532541/). They all use it to some degree. None of them show much inclination to scratch elsewhere. There’s one spot on the horrible orange carpet on the basement stairs that is wearing just a bit thin, but I couldn’t care less about that carpet other wanting an excuse to get rid of it, so it all works out. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/19 "2008-10-13T20:58:41Z")
One cat, 2 Posts. And yes, she still scratches the furniture…☹ ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753/20 "2008-10-13T21:07:40Z")
Two cats, one floor-to-celing cat condo with integrated scratching posts (never touched), six new and six to twelve used horizontal cardboard Bizzy Kitty scratchy pads at any one time, one shredded couch, and one very well ventilated leather desk chair. To be fair, the couch was abused by several previous cats. One of the kitties loves nothing better than to show off by sharpening her oh-so-sharp claws right in front of you, so we put Bizzy Kitty refills in all the good posing spots. Then when they get ragged they go in the basement until recycling day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-owners-whats-your-scratching-post-to-cat-ratio/467753.md?page=2)