September 25, 2023, 4:16 am | Read time: 12 minutes

Cats need suitable material for claw care. Even cats that never go outside follow their instinct and sharpen their claws. If you don’t have space for a scratching post at home or don’t want such a large structure for aesthetic reasons, you can buy a scratching barrel. These space-saving and less conspicuous products offer a place to relax, give the cat room to retreat, and allow them to sharpen their claws.

What is a scratching barrel?

Most people know what a scratching post is. However, far fewer can confidently answer what a scratching barrel is. Essentially, it’s a space-saving alternative to a scratching post that still provides cats with everything they need.

Primarily, it’s a surface where they can sharpen their claws undisturbed. Additionally, most cats appreciate it when the scratching barrel has a platform from which they can quietly observe their surroundings. Integrated caves in the scratching barrel allow the cat to retreat if desired.

Why do cats need scratching barrels?

Sharpening their claws is a completely natural behavior for cats. It’s part of their grooming routine and is necessary to keep their claws healthy and allow them to use their paws fully. If there is no opportunity within the cat’s reach, various items in the home may be used instead.

The downside: The cat decides which items are suitable. The likelihood is high that they will choose walls, sofas, armchairs, or beds. However, if cat owners provide a scratching barrel, the pet ideally spares the furniture and only uses the barrel.

Also interesting: Scratching posts for cats – the 9 best models compared

What types of barrels are there?

Scratching barrels come in various heights and weight classes. This way, a suitable scratching barrel can be found for every cat, depending on how large and heavy your cat is and what options are available in your home. Scratching barrels are usually available in muted colors like brown, beige, gray, or black, so they can be combined with many interior styles.

The simplest models are constructed just as barrels. Wrapped in a material suitable for claw care, cats readily accept the new piece of furniture. More versatile models offer the cat additional options. These include caves in the barrel where they can retreat and a comfortable platform where they can lie–preferably in the sun.

How do scratching posts and scratching barrels differ?

Traditional scratching posts are very popular with cats. Scratching barrels, on the other hand, are often more practical for owners. They are appealing due to their space-saving properties and compact, lightweight design. Usually, scratching barrels do not need to be assembled or set up extensively. This makes them perfect as a quick solution when cats target the home furnishings.

However, unlike a scratching post, cats cannot experience and explore as much. The design is simpler and typically does not offer various platforms, passages, and the like, as scratching posts do. Good scratching barrels, however, provide a reliable retreat and ample opportunity to observe the surroundings.

What material is usually used?

Scratching barrels are often made from multiple materials. Plush is usually used for the areas where the cat can lie or sit. The soft material is particularly comfortable for cats but is not suitable for claw care. For this reason, the flat surfaces of scratching barrels are covered with another material. In most cases, this is sisal, which cats can enjoy to their heart’s content.

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You don’t want to buy poor products for your cat. At the same time, a scratching barrel must also meet the owner’s needs and should fit into the living area. We have looked at various scratching barrels and selected the seven best models.

Trixie Cat Tower Jorge

Home Sweet Home–that’s what it says on the side of this scratching barrel from Trixie. For cats, the saying becomes a reality, as this model offers plenty of space to feel completely comfortable. This scratching barrel is suitable for medium breeds, which can either make themselves comfortable in one of the two caves or decide to take over the lounging area on top.

Cat owners don’t need to worry about hygiene with this model–the cushion covers in the caves are machine washable. When it comes to claw care, the sisal covering on two corners of the scratching barrel offers a welcome alternative that cats will hopefully prefer over their owner’s furniture.

Advantages:

• combines scratching options with space for observing and hiding
• creates a comfortable retreat for the cat with plush covering in the caves and on the lounging area
• cushion covers are machine washable at 30 degrees
• muted colors make the model a simple addition to any home decor

Disadvantages:

• no continuous sisal surface on the outside
• print on the front is not to everyone’s taste
• white plush lining makes the scratching barrel prone to dirt and grime
• high purchase price relative to size

Lionto Scratching Barrel with Sisal and Plateau

If you’re looking for a scratching barrel with a monochrome design that truly–and not just seemingly–blends unobtrusively into your home, this is the one. The model from Lionto is completely covered with sisal, offering plenty of space to keep claws in shape. The openings to the inside of the barrel and the surface are edged or covered with plush. This prevents the cat from getting hurt at the entrances and creates a cozy soft lounging area on top.

The play ball hanging in the middle access opening encourages further play. Contrary to appearances, there are no three levels as separate caves inside the scratching barrel. The barrel only has rings at the individual levels, so it can also be played with from the inside.

Advantages:

• subtle and unobtrusive appearance
• completely covered with sisal, making it ideal for claw care
• play ball and continuous levels on the inside further encourage playfulness
• comfortable lounging area on top offers space for observing and lingering
• very good price for the range of functions offered

Disadvantages:

• no caves as a retreat option
• if the lounging area gets dirty, there is no cleaning option

Trixie Juana

If you can’t fully accept the idea of not being able to buy your cat a scratching post with all possible activity options due to lack of space, this might be a compromise. On an oval base plate stands an oval scratching barrel, but there is also a pole with two platforms. The first platform forms a plateau in front of the access hole of the upper cave. From there, the play ball hanging from the second platform is reachable.

On the second platform, cats perch at a height of 134 centimeters and can keep an eye on the happenings in the home. For curious cats, the hidden possibilities on the back of the scratching post don’t remain secret for long. At mid-height of the scratching barrel, there is another access opening with a play ball. From the level, there is a descent option, so the cat can hide on the bottom of the barrel if needed. Alternatively, the lounging area at the opposite end of the scratching barrel is comfortable for cats.

Advantages:

• model offers numerous activities and engagements
• enough space for more than one cat
• pole and scratching barrel are completely covered with sisal
• cushions can be hand washed

Disadvantages:

• design with prints is not to everyone’s liking
• white plush lining is dirt-sensitive

Pawhut Scratching Barrel with 3 Levels

The natural brown of sisal and seagrass creates a warm impression, enhanced by the white plush on the top and around the entrances to the scratching barrel. The model appears calm and fits perfectly in homes with a lot of wood. The different weaving of sisal and seagrass offers a nice visual change despite the same color.

The two caves of the scratching barrel are accessible through three entrances–the lower and middle levels are connected by a passage inside. The top is made for relaxing and keeping an eye on the surroundings, thanks to the plush covering.

Advantages:

• surrounding scratching surface is suitable even for strong scratching behavior
• material mix is a rare change from the sole use of sisal combined with woven fabrics
• natural look that pleases both owners and cats

Disadvantages:

• entrances to the scratching barrel limit placement options
• horizontal plush rings may fall victim to claw care
• only suitable for cats weighing up to 4 kilograms

Also interesting: Should you trim your cat’s claws?

Trixie Saul Cat House Cave

With a scratching barrel in neutral gray and white plush at the entrances and lounging areas, you can’t go wrong. The appearance of this scratching barrel is secondary. With two caves inside, cats can pursue their need for rest and relaxation undisturbed and retreat after a strenuous play or too many external stimuli.

The sisal scratching surface on the left side is excellent for sharpening claws. Furniture, walls, and other home furnishings remain intact and ideally no longer need to be used for claw care. Thanks to the folding mechanism, this scratching barrel can be easily stored away if needed.

Advantages:

• scratching barrel can be folded and stored away
• model offers a lot for the natural needs of a cat with two caves and a lounging area on top
• removable lid and foldable side walls allow the scratching barrel to be stored away in between

Disadvantages:

• small scratching surface
• limited placement options due to sisal surface

Dehner Cat Scratching Barrel Tassilo

With this product from Dehner, the term scratching barrel truly lives up to its name. Completely covered with sisal, cats have numerous opportunities to sharpen their claws and take care of their grooming.

The fun continues inside the scratching barrel–with caves and an inner connection complete with a toy mouse, the creativity of the cats is further stimulated, so relaxation on the lounging area or in one of the caves may initially take a back seat. In homes of cat owners, this barrel fits particularly well if the rest of the decor is natural or features warm tones and materials.

Advantages:

• removable cushion on the lounging area allows for easier cleaning
• playfulness and curiosity of cats are encouraged by various caves, connections, and the play ball inside the scratching barrel
• surrounding sisal covering offers an unrestricted opportunity to sharpen and care for claws
• unobtrusive appearance fits well in many homes

Disadvantages:

• light plush covering is prone to stains
• no good cleaning option

Also interesting: 5 toys to combat cat boredom

Robusta Scratching Barrel XL

If you’re wondering whether a scratching barrel priced at nearly 290 euros makes sense, the answer is–it depends. The processing of the individual materials and their composition is very high quality. The use of wooden rings visually enhances the scratching barrel of this brand.

When cats have had enough of sharpening their claws on the continuous sisal surface, they can either relax on the lounging area on top of the scratching barrel or hide inside, continue playing, or rest. The high weight of the scratching barrel is several times that of normal scratching barrels, making it particularly stable and unable to tip over. This is true even if cats decide to make the lounging area their playground.

Advantages:

• material mix of wood and sisal appears high quality
• top and bottom are connected by a passage inside, so the cat can have fun not only outside
• high weight secures the barrel against tipping over–even if your cats are the rambunctious type
• surrounding sisal covering allows for good claw care
• cat cushions in the caves are removable

Disadvantages:

• plastic edging of the entrances does not appear high quality and should not be an issue in this price range
• high purchase costs

Conclusion

If you don’t have much space and don’t want your cat to leave its mark on the furniture, a scratching barrel is the solution. These models are more compact than large scratching posts but still invite claw sharpening and trimming. While scratching barrels don’t offer the same range of movement as scratching posts, they often have one or two caves as a retreat and a platform that can serve as a lounging area. When purchasing, make sure the size and weight of the scratching barrel match your cat. If a cat jumps onto the scratching barrel from a higher angle and it’s too light, the momentum could tip it over.