Hanging cat scratching posts: how they work and how to hang one

A hanging scratching post needs no base and no wall fixings. It hangs on a slim stainless steel cable from a single ceiling fixing, at the height you choose, right where your cat already likes to scratch: beside the sofa, by a window or next to a door frame. Here is how it works and what to check before you hang one.

This guide covers how a hanging post is put together, when it is a better choice than a standing or wall-mounted tree, how to pick a length, how to fix it safely, and how to look after it so it lasts. If you are still deciding between the three types, our comparison of standing, wall-mounted and hanging cat trees is a good place to start.

How a hanging scratching post works

A column of solid wood posts, wrapped in rope, hangs from the ceiling on a cable. A spacer at the top holds the cable, a rope-wrapped cap closes the bottom, and nothing touches the floor or the wall. Your cat gets a tall surface to climb and scratch, and the room stays open.

Each post is 13 cm across, which gives a cat a broad enough surface to grip with both front paws and pull down in a long, full-body stretch. Posts come in 20, 40 and 80 cm lengths and join end to end with a hairpin screw, so a column can be built up from several pieces and still behave as one solid line. The spacers are 13 cm plywood discs, the same diameter as the posts, so the column reads as one clean shape from top to bottom.

What the parts do

• Cable kit: 3 m of stainless steel cable and a ceiling fixing. The cable carries the whole column.
• Top spacer: a plywood disc that the cable attaches to, and which holds the column straight below it.
• Posts: solid wood wrapped in sisal or cotton rope. This is the part your cat uses.
• Rope-wrapped cap: 13 cm across and 6 cm high, it closes the bottom of the column neatly so there is no bare end at floor level.

When to choose a hanging post

• Minimal interiors: a single line of rope and wood reads more like design than a cat accessory.
• Rooms with no free wall: it can hang in the middle of the room, beside furniture.
• A second scratching spot: next to the sofa, while the main cat tree stands by the window.

Hanging posts are for climbing and scratching. If your cat also needs platforms to nap on, combine one with a standing or wall-mounted tree.

When another type may suit you better

A hanging post is not the right answer for every home. Think twice if any of these apply:

• You cannot fix anything to the ceiling. Some rental agreements do not allow it, and some ceilings are suspended or made only of plasterboard with no joist where you need it. A standing scratching post on a base needs no fixings at all.
• Your cat wants to sleep up high. A hanging column has no platforms. A standing tree or a wall tree with platforms gives your cat somewhere to rest as well as scratch.
• You need several levels for more than one cat. A multi-level standing tree spreads cats out across platforms and caves. See our guide to choosing the right cat tree height.

Choose your length

• Hanging Solo, 90 cm: one 80 cm post with a spacer at each end and a cap at the bottom.
• Hanging Double, 170 cm: two 80 cm posts joined into one column for a full-length climb.
• Your own column: in the configurator, choose Hanging and build up to 180 cm from posts and spacers. The top spacer and the cable kit are added for you.

Which length fits your cat and room

The Hanging Solo weighs 6.1 kg and suits a single scratching spot where you want the post to sit at a particular height, for example level with the arm of a sofa or the frame of a door your cat already scratches. It leaves plenty of room below and above, so it works well in rooms with lower ceilings.

The Hanging Double weighs 11 kg and gives a long, continuous climb. It is a good match for active cats and larger breeds who like to stretch out fully, and for rooms with higher ceilings where a short post would look lost. Our guide for large cats explains why length and post width matter more as a cat grows.

If neither fits exactly, the configurator draws your column to scale in a room with a height meter, so you can see where the bottom will end and how much space is left above the floor before you order.

Sisal or cotton rope?

Both wraps are made for scratching, but they feel different under the paw. Sisal is firmer and rougher, which many cats like for a strong, satisfying pull. Cotton rope is softer and quieter, and some cats, especially kittens and older cats, prefer it. If you are unsure, read our comparison of sisal and cotton rope scratching posts.

Before you hang it

Both kits come with the hanging cable kit: 3 m of stainless steel cable and a ceiling fixing. The fixing must go into a solid ceiling, such as concrete or a wooden joist, not into plasterboard on its own. If you are not sure what your ceiling is made of, ask a local handyman: it is a short job.

Checking your ceiling

A few simple checks help you decide whether a ceiling is suitable:

• Knock on it. A hollow sound usually means plasterboard over a void; a dull, solid sound often means concrete.
• Look for joists. In timber floors, joists run in parallel lines. A stud finder can locate them, and the fixing should go into the centre of one.
• Avoid cables and pipes. Check with a detector before drilling, especially near light fittings.
• Suspended ceilings are not suitable for a direct fixing, because the panels are not designed to carry a load.

Step by step

1. Pick the spot where your cat already scratches.
2. Fix the ceiling hook and check it holds firmly.
3. Set the cable length so the post hangs at the height you want.
4. Check the fixing again after the first week of use.

When choosing the height, leave enough space under the cap that the post swings freely without catching the floor, and keep the top of the posts low enough that your cat can reach it from a standing stretch. Leave clear space around the column too: a hanging post moves a little when a cat jumps on it, so keep it away from lamps, shelves with fragile objects and glass.

Introducing your cat to the new post

Most cats find a new scratching surface by themselves within a few days, especially if it hangs where they already scratch. If yours is slow to try it, a few gentle steps usually help:

• Rub a little catnip or silvervine on the rope, if your cat responds to it.
• Drag a wand toy up the post so your cat follows it with its claws.
• Praise or reward your cat when it uses the post, and gently move it from the sofa to the post when it scratches furniture.
• Give it time. A hanging post moves slightly at first touch, and some cats need a day or two to trust it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Fixing into plasterboard alone. It is not designed to carry a hanging load. Always find concrete or a joist.
• Hanging it where your cat never goes. A post in a quiet corner is rarely used. Put it where your cat already scratches or passes every day.
• Hanging it too high. If the bottom is far above the floor, your cat has to jump to reach it and may lose interest.
• Skipping the follow-up check. Check the fixing and the cable after the first week and from time to time after that.

Care and maintenance

A hanging post needs very little looking after. Run a vacuum or a pet hair remover over the rope to lift loose fur. Check the cable and fixing every few months, and look at the rope for wear. When one post is worn through, you do not need to replace the whole column: unscrew it and fit a new post in its place.

Built to last, made to change

Every part is solid wood wrapped in sisal or cotton rope, and fits every other Kikska part. Replace a worn post and keep the rest, add a post to make the column longer, or use the same posts on a base later. Spare cables are in hanging parts.

Because the system is modular, a hanging post can become part of something larger later. Move house and the same posts can go on a base or onto wall mounts. Read more about modular cat trees with replaceable parts, or see how Kikska cat trees are made in Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Can a hanging post go in a rented flat?

It needs one fixing in the ceiling, so check your tenancy agreement first. If drilling is not allowed, a standing post on a base is the simpler option.

How long is the cable?

The cable kit includes 3 m of stainless steel cable, which you set to the length you need so the post hangs at your chosen height.

Can I make the column longer later?

Yes. Posts join end to end, and in the configurator's hanging mode you can build a column up to 180 cm. Extra posts are in parts.

Does it come with a warranty?

Kikska parts have a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects, and items damaged in transit are replaced free.