Two scratching posts under £20 for two cats

Scratching is completely normal cat behaviour — your cats aren't being destructive, they're maintaining their claws and marking territory, which is just part of being a cat. The fix isn't to stop them scratching, it's to redirect them somewhere more appropriate. The key is matching the post to how and where they actually scratch — height, material, and angle all matter. You've got two cats and a tight budget of under £20 total, which is doable if we're smart about it. Before I point you in the right direction: where are your cats scratching — vertical surfaces like sofas and doorframes, horizontal like carpets and rugs, or a bit of both? And what material seems to be the main target?

That tells me everything I need. Rough woven fabric appeals to them because it mimics the texture of natural sisal — so a sisal-wrapped post will feel like a legitimate upgrade rather than a compromise. The other thing that matters for sofa-scratchers is height: they like to stretch fully when they scratch, and a lot of budget posts are too short, especially for a Longhair. You want something at least 60cm tall. With two cats and £20 to cover both, I'd go for two Trixie Sisal Scratching Posts — the standard 60cm model. They're usually around £8–10 each on Amazon UK, so two comes in just under or right at your budget. They're stable, properly tall, sisal-wrapped, and Trixie is a reliable brand that's been making these for years. Place one at each end of the sofa they're currently targeting — right next to the damage — and reward them when they use it. Once the habit shifts, you can move the posts gradually if you want them elsewhere.

Sisal is genuinely one of the most durable scratching materials — it frays rather than shredding to bits, and cats actually prefer it slightly worn because it catches their claws better. The Trixie posts in particular hold up well for regular use. Two cats sharing won't significantly shorten the lifespan; sisal posts typically last a year or more with daily use. When they do eventually look tatty, that's not a sign to replace them — cats often prefer a well-used post over a brand new one.

If the carpet scratching is occasional rather than a regular habit, the vertical sisal posts will likely satisfy enough of the urge that it reduces on its own. But if it's persistent, a flat sisal scratchpad is the answer — they're very cheap, often £3–5, and you can tuck one under a piece of furniture to keep it stable. For now I'd start with the two vertical posts and see how it goes. You may find the horizontal scratching fades once she has a proper outlet for the vertical stretching behaviour, which is usually the primary drive.