What does a cat scratching post do?

The main job of a scratching post is to help a cat sharpen its claws. It satisfies the cat’s urge to scratch and dig, preventing it from clawing furniture.

Scratching is instinctive: as claws grow, cats sharpen them often to remove the long, old claw. A pet cat can use a cardboard scratching post safely without harming its body or claws.