A scratching post that wobbles or tips is one of the most common reasons cats ignore an otherwise reasonable post entirely in favor of furniture — stability is a bigger factor than most buyers expect.
Stability matters more than material choice
Cats scratch partly to stretch their whole body and mark territory through both scent and visible marks, which means they need to lean and pull against the post with real force. A post that wobbles, tips, or shifts during use is uncomfortable and even a little alarming for a cat mid-stretch, and many cats will simply avoid using an unstable post in favor of a sturdier, more reliable surface — like furniture. A heavy, wide base or a wall-mounted or corner-braced design that stays genuinely solid under real pressure matters more to whether a post actually gets used than the specific scratching material.
Height should allow a full stretch
A post tall enough to let a cat fully extend upward while scratching — generally recommended at around 30 inches or more for an average adult cat, taller for larger breeds — better satisfies the natural stretching component of scratching behavior than a short post that only allows a partial stretch. A too-short post doesn't fully serve the behavior it's meant to redirect, which is part of why cats sometimes ignore a small post in favor of a tall piece of furniture that lets them stretch fully.
Material affects both durability and cat preference
Sisal rope wrapped posts are widely popular and tend to hold up well to repeated scratching, with a rough texture many cats respond well to. Sisal fabric (a flatter woven material rather than wrapped rope) offers a different texture some cats prefer, though it can shred and show wear faster than wrapped rope. Cardboard scratchers are inexpensive and often well liked by cats, but wear out and need replacement faster than more durable materials — reasonable as a supplementary option, less so as the sole permanent scratching surface.
Vertical vs. horizontal scratchers meet different preferences
Some cats strongly prefer scratching horizontally along the floor rather than vertically upward — individual preference that isn't always predictable in advance. Offering both a vertical post and a horizontal scratching pad or mat covers a wider range of individual cat preference than assuming every cat wants the same vertical stretch-scratching experience.
The one thing people forget
Place at least one scratching post near furniture a cat has already been scratching, or near where the cat spends significant time, rather than tucked away in an out-of-the-way corner. Placement close to existing behavior and high-traffic areas meaningfully increases the odds a new post actually gets used instead of ignored in favor of a more conveniently located piece of furniture.