When it comes to choosing a good scratching post for your British Shorthair there are a few things to consider. British Shorthair cats and kittens really need a good scratching post also called a cat tower, scratching pole or just cat scratcher. They are indoor cats so need a scratching post to really get their claws into (that isn’t you furniture) plus they love a nice high spot to look out over their domain.
The two main issues are that the British Shorthair is a big breed plus being inside they will give a scratching post a really good workout.
You can buy some really fancy cat scratching posts and poles from pet shops and online. Some are super heavy, carpet covered and quite expensive. The issue with these models is that they can look a bit scrappy after a few years. You will want to keep them as they cost a lot of money but they wont look great in your home.
Then there are very cheap scratching posts that are not strong enough to support your bulky British Shorthair’s bulky behind. No one wants a saggy scratcher! They can be great for kittens but as your cat gets bigger the cardboard posts may not cope. They can also topple over when your cat jumps on them or scratches them. The one below is often found on it’s side if adult cats have played with it.
Somewhere in the middle is Kmart. They have a great scratching post that is perfect for climbing and has reasonably solid platforms for sleeping cats and kittens. The price is great too at only $39.
If the rope around the base comes off you can rewind it and secure it with cloth tape. When it starts to look too shabby just pop it out for kerbside collection or take it apart and put it in the bin. One Kmart cat scratching post loved by your British Shorthair every year for ten years will look a lot better than a $390 cat scratching post after ten years. Plus if it lasts a year or two, winning!
If you can’t get a Kmart one then look at sites like Kogan. They have discounted cat scratching posts that have a good sized platforms. They need a few legs for each level so they dont bend with your cats weight. Really anything is great and they will love you for it.
Examples of Scratching Post for British Shorthairs
