I prefer sisal over carpeted or cardboard scratchers any day. They last forever and don't leave behind a big mess. And the kitties can get a nice grip. The tapered design looks much nicer and seems even more durable than the cylindrical scratcher I used to have, but why can't manufacturers start coloring the sisal to match any household? I'd love a ruby and black one!

Pros: clean, durable

Cons: base could be heavier

Good while it lasts. When the sisal starts to come loose, though, there's not much you can do to repair it.

Pros: cats like it

Cons: eventually the rope will come loose

The Petmate Sisal Rope Cat Scratching Past is a great way to teach kittens to scratch on it not furniture and carpet. Our foster kittens always use it and really enjoy it. I have never noticed them scratching on anything other than this post. Our adult cats were used to carpet sratching posts so don't use this one. However, I highly recommend it ifor cats tht are not already used to carpet posts. It is a very sturdy, well made product.

Pros: Our foster kittens have used and loved this scratching pad since they were old enough to know how to scratch.

Cons: Our older cats that were used to a carpet scratch pad did not use this kind.

The rope holds up way better than a carpeted scratch post and is far less messy. I throw a bit of cat nip on it, and Buddy stays entertained for a long time! He likes to grab a hold of the pillar and drag himself around in circles around it. It must be fun cuz he does it a lot!

Pros: durable

Cons: none

This is one of the first scratch posts my family ever bought. It's a good, reliable sisal scratcher. The cats love the sisal rope and the carpet base, and they gladly work their claws on it. The only thing is that the whole piece, base and scratcher, are not very heavy; they are kind of lightweight, so when the cats really dig in to work the claws, the scratcher will often fall over. The height is very short, so it's no harm to the cat at all when it tips; it just makes it tough for them to get any scratching leverage.

Pros: Good standard scratcher

Cons: A little too lightweight