Pixiebob scratching in a flat — redirect the energy

A high-rise flat with a three-year-old Pixiebob and no outdoor access — that's a cat with a lot of energy and nowhere obvious to put it. Scratching is completely normal behaviour: they're sharpening claws, marking territory, and stretching out muscles they'd otherwise use climbing trees and fences. The goal isn't to stop the scratching, it's to redirect it somewhere appropriate. The key is matching the post to how and where your cat actually scratches. So — is your Pixiebob going at vertical surfaces like sofas and door frames, horizontal surfaces like rugs and carpets, or both? And what material seems to be the main target — fabric, leather, or wood?

That evening burst is classic pent-up energy — Pixiebobs are an active, intelligent breed and in a flat without outdoor access that energy has to come out somewhere. The vertical fabric preference tells me he wants height and something with real resistance to dig into. A simple scratching post won't cut it here — he needs something he can fully extend on, ideally with climbing options to burn off the physical energy at the same time. Can I ask: how much floor space do you realistically have? And does he jump and climb around the flat already, or is he more of a floor-level cat?

Perfect — a corner is exactly what you need. Given that he climbs, scratches vertically and aggressively, and has that pent-up energy from being indoors, I'd go with the Feandrea Cat Tree by SONGMICS — the 150cm tall model with sisal-wrapped posts. It gives him a full-length vertical scratch surface he can really lean into, multiple platforms to climb and perch on, and a spot that's genuinely tall enough for a three-year-old cat to stretch completely. The sisal is the key thing: it has the texture and resistance that makes cats prefer it over fabric furniture. Position it near the sofa he's currently targeting — cats scratch where they spend time — and within a week or two the post becomes the obvious choice. One tip: rub a little catnip into the sisal base the first day to draw him over.

Yes — while he's transitioning, put double-sided tape on the sofa corners he targets. Cats hate the sticky feeling on their paws and it makes the sofa instantly less appealing without any confrontation. Feliscratch by Feliway is also worth a look — it's a liquid you apply to the new scratching post that mimics the scent markers cats leave when they scratch, essentially telling him 'this is the place to scratch'. Between the tape deterrent on the sofa and the scent invitation on the post, you're steering him rather than just hoping. Once the habit is established on the post — usually two to three weeks — you can remove the tape.

Good plan. The SONGMICS 150cm tree is well built for an active cat — it won't wobble when he launches himself at it, which matters a lot for a climber like a Pixiebob. You should notice him investigating it within the first day or two, especially with the catnip on it. If he ignores it at first, don't move it — just let it sit near where he currently scratches and he'll come round. Good luck with him.