Sisal is a material you often see on scratching posts and most cats love scratching it because it feels a bit like wood, which is why our Cat-e-Corner and many other scratching posts use sisal. But, as your cat uses it, the sisal will get torn and worn out, so you'll probably need to replace it at some point.
When you go to replace the sisal, you'll see that there are two main types: sisal fabric and sisal rope. Both can be used for scratching posts, but they're slightly different.
Sisal Fabric Explained
Sisal is a fantastic material to use for covering a scratching post. It comes from a plant called Agave sisalana using natural fibers woven together, just like cotton or linen. The plant grows in Mexico but can be grown in other places, too.
It's good for the environment because it's sustainable and breaks down naturally. The strong fibers are also woven into carpets and rugs, which are known for their natural texture and long-lasting quality.
For scratching posts, sisal fabric is strong and a little rough. It feels similar to tree bark, which is what wild cats like to scratch on. Sisal lasts a long time, so it can stay on your scratching post for years before you need to replace it, depending on how many cats are using it.
Sisal Rope Explained
Sisal rope is a natural fiber that has been used for centuries. Today, it's a favorite for crafters and DIY projects. It's known for being really strong and able to hold heavy things. And as we touched on before, the sisal plant is also environmentally friendly because it doesn't need much water or pesticides to grow. Since it's biodegradable, you can compost the rope when you no longer need it.
It's super common for cat scratching posts because it's cheap and works well. Many cats love the way sisal feels, and it naturally comes in rope form. So, most scratching posts have sisal rope wrapped around the part cats are supposed to scratch.
When it's time to replace the sisal, it probably makes sense to buy sisal rope again, since that's likely what your scratching post had to begin with. But you don't have to use rope if you don't want to! It's just the easiest type of sisal to find.
Sisal Fabric vs. Sisal Rope
Sisal fabric and rope both come from the agave plant and can be used for cat scratching posts, furniture, making rope, crafts, and gardening. But there are some important differences to think about before deciding which one to use.
If you want something very strong that can handle a lot of scratching, sisal rope is the better choice. It's rougher and more durable than sisal fabric, and you can easily cut it with scissors. It's also light but strong, and it resists wear and tear and chemicals. Sisal rope is what you'd use for the part of the scratching post that the cat actually scratches.
But if you're new to crafting, sisal fabric might be easier to work with. It's softer and not as durable. You might use sisal fabric to cover the base of the scratching post, but not the part where the cat scratches. It also comes in more colors than sisal rope, so it can look nicer for some projects.
What Makes Sisal So Irresistible to Cats?
Cats just can't resist sisal because of how it feels. It gives them the perfect amount of resistance when they scratch, so they can easily get their claws in deep and shred. This shredding action not only makes them happy, but it also leaves a mark that other cats can see. And since it feels like tree bark, it's become a favorite scratching surface for cats in the wild.
Does It Matter What Kind of Sisal You Use?
Actually, there's really just one type of sisal. However, the fiber comes from four different plants. While these plants might look a little different on the surface, the sisal itself is essentially the same. You'll find sisal in various forms like rope and fabric, but the core fiber remains consistent.
Therefore, you don't need to stress about choosing the “perfect” sisal for your cat. It's all fundamentally the same and should be safe, as long as no unsafe chemicals or treatments are used.
Or, if you want to get your cat something a little different that encourages play and features a modern furniture aesthetic, you might think about our Cat-e-Corner! It's designed to protect couches from cat scratches, but the best part is how easy it is to keep the scratching surface fresh.
Forget the hassle of replacing rope, replacing the scratching mat on our Cat-e-Corner is quick and simple. The natural sisal fiber mat stays put with strong Velcro, but you can swap it out in seconds. When your cat has worn through one, just grab a fresh mat and replace it instantly!
These mats are made from durable natural sisal fiber and built to last, with each mat designed to last up to a year with regular use depending on your cat’s scratching habits.
Our Solution to Worn-Out Scratching Posts
When we were making our Cat-e-Corner, we wanted it to be strong and also encourage cats to scratch in a healthy way. So, it was really important that the scratching surface could be easily taken off and replaced when it started to wear out.
At first, we used sisal rope for the scratching surface. It looked and felt great, but replacing the rope was a disaster! It was way too hard. So, we started trying out sisal mats and Velcro, and we finally found the perfect mix of looking good, working well, and being easy to use. We wanted to make sure you didn't need any tools to remove the scratching part when it needed to be replaced.
Easy Replacements! Shop Our All-Natural Sisal Mats
