Cat Tower with Scratching Post: A Product Designer’s Perspective on Better Cat Furniture
A product designer's cat tower notes: Why "cat tower with scratching post" changed my understanding of cat furniture
I have been doing product design for many years and I am accustomed to viewing things from a "human" perspective - comfort, structure, durability, and space efficiency. But what truly changed my way of thinking was not a particular design exhibition, nor a particular award-winning work, but a cat.
That was the first cat in my family, named Milo. He had a habit that gave me a lot of trouble: it would scratch the sofa.
I tried many methods - trimming his nails, sprays, toys to distract. But what finally enabled me to fully understand cat behavior was when I started to study cat towers with scratching posts - these seemingly simple yet highly functional pieces of cat furniture.
Since then, I have been studying the cat tower in the same way designers analyze and break down products. This article today is a summary of my observations and experiences over the years. If you have a cat at home or are considering buying a cat tower, I hope these real experiences can help you avoid unnecessary detours.
Why do cats need to "climb" - this is not a bad habit, but an instinct.
Many people, when they first get a cat, will ask me a question:
"Why do cats have to catch things?"
The answer is actually quite simple: scratching is a natural need for cats.
From a behavioral perspective, cats scratch things for three main purposes:
1.Mark the territory
Cats have scent glands in their paws.
When they claw pillars or furniture, they are actually leaving their own scent.
This is like saying:
"This is my territory."
2. Take care of the claws
Scratching helps cats remove the outer layer of their old nails, allowing new nails to remain sharp and healthy.
3. Stretch your body
When a cat claws a pillar, it will fully extend its front limbs and back.
This is a very important muscle stretch.
If there are no suitable scratching points at home -
The sofas, mattresses and carpets will become substitutes.
This is why a well-designed cat tower with a scratching post can often directly save the furniture.
The first time I seriously studied the cat tower was during a design review session.
Once, I took apart a cat tower (and happened to see the design of the new series by mewzoom at that time). That experience made me realize for the first time:
The cat tower is actually a surprisingly complex behavioral design.
On the surface, it seems to be just a few pillars and platforms, but in reality, it involves:
- The jumping height of a cat
- the angle at which cats scratch
- Platform stability
- Material wear resistance level
- Visual security
Many of the problems with cheap cat towers are quite obvious:
- The pillar is too short, so the cat cannot stretch fully.
- The base is too light. If a cat jumps onto it, it will shake.
- The fabric isn’t scratch-resistant and tears after just two months.
When these problems accumulate, the cat will naturally go back to scratch the sofa.
What does a truly useful cat tower with a scratching post need to have?
I usually evaluate cat towers using design logic.
There are four key points.
1.The height of the anchor column must be sufficient.
This is the point that is most easily overlooked.
When an adult cat is scratching, it will fully extend its body.
Most cats need:
At least 28–32 inches of column height
If the pillar is too short, the cat will feel "unhappy".
Many cats will turn to scratching:
- Sofa armrests
- Beside the bed
- Curtain
I have witnessed too many instances like this.
2. The material must be scratch-resistant.
The most common materials used for making the posts are:
Sisal rope
The reason is quite simple:
- The fibers are rough.
- Good grip
- Very durable
In contrast, some fabrics or paper materials are very easy to be torn.
I usually recommend choosing:
- Fully wrapped sisal posts
- rather than partially wrapped sections
Because the cat will scratch the entire pillar.
3. Structural stability is more important than appearance.
Many cat towers look very beautiful, but their designs are unstable.
If the tower shakes when the cat jumps on it, the cat will quickly lose interest.
A good cat tower usually has:
- Thickened base
- wide support posts
- Reasonable center of gravity design
When my Milo first climbed up a stable cat tower, the sense of security was very obvious.
It even began to regard that place as an "observation platform".
4. The design should follow the cat's natural jumping habits.
Cats like to "go up".
This is a natural security strategy.
An ideal cat tower usually has:
- Low platform (rest area)
- mid-level jumping platform
- Observation Deck at Height
This structure not only increases the activity level, but also makes cats more willing to stay on the cat tower.
Cat Tower is actually addressing an "indoor environment issue"
Many people underestimate one thing:
Cats are naturally three-dimensional creatures.
In the natural environment, cats will:
- Climb a tree
- jump between rocks
- Observation from a height
But in an apartment, their space is usually limited to just the floor.
The cat tower is actually "reconstructing vertical space".
This is also why many cats will do the following after having a cat tower:
- More active
- More relaxed
- Less damage to furniture
I call this design:
Vertical Territory Design
An interesting phenomenon: Cats tend to choose "their own tower"
Later, my family had two cats.
I originally thought they would share the same tower.
The result was not so.
They each chose different heights for their positions.
- One cat loves the highest observation deck
- The other one prefers a mid-level nest.
This made me realize:
The cat tower is not just a toy; it is more like a "private space" for the cat.
So if there are multiple cats at home:
A multi-level platform is more important than a single column grip.
Why do some cats never touch it at all?
This is a problem that many cat owners will encounter.
When brought back, the cat took just one look and then left.
I have summarized several common reasons:
The smell is unfamiliar.
The new furniture will have an unfamiliar smell.
Solution:
- Catmint
- The blanket that the cat usually sleeps on
Incorrect placement
The cat tower is best placed at:
- By the window
- The corner of the living room
- The area where cats usually move around
Don't place it in a deserted corner.
Insufficient stability
If the cat jumps onto the tower for the first time and the tower shakes, it might never try to jump onto it again.
I have identified three habits of Cat Tower now
These are all the experiences accumulated after keeping cats for many years.
First, check the height of the pillar.
At least 28 inches in height for the climbing post.
Second, check the weight of the base
The lightweight base has been directly eliminated.
Third, check the coverage area of the anchor rods
The more sisal there is, the better.
Cat Tower is not just cat furniture; it is also a part of home design.
As a designer, I actually find myself increasingly concerned with a certain issue:
How to integrate cat furniture into the home space.
Early cat towers were usually quite heavy.
The color is also very conspicuous.
But nowadays many designs are beginning to consider:
- Simple structure
- Neutral color tone
- Furniture-grade materials
As I recently saw in the new series of mewzoom, there is a clear design shift -
It is more like a piece of furniture rather than a pet product.
This is actually a very good trend.
Because pets have become an integral part of the family.
A little-known tip: Making cats accept the cat tower faster
The method I often use is:
Turn the cat tower into "reward points".
For example:
- Feed snacks on the tower
- Use a feather teaser toy to guide the cat to jump.
- Put the blanket that the cat likes on there.
Usually, the cat will start to use it within a few days.
The last piece of advice: The cat tower is not a consumable item, but it requires maintenance.
Many people think that once they buy a cat tower, it's all over.
Actually, it's not entirely so.
Regular inspection:
- Is the sisal loose?
- Do the screws need to be reinforced?
- Does the fabric surface need cleaning?
These minor repairs can enable the cat tower to last for many years.
My first cat tower has been in use for four years.
It remains Milo's favorite place.
Final Thoughts
If I were to summarize the significance of "cat tower with scratching post" in one sentence, I would say:
It is not something for cats to play with, but rather a space for cats to live in.
When we start to understand the behavioral logic of cats, we will find that many problems can actually be easily solved.
The sofa is no longer being scratched.
The cat is happier.
And when the cat is quietly looking out of the window from a high place, you will suddenly realize:
It turns out that a well-designed small cat tower can truly change the entire atmosphere of the home.