Pleased to report that this scratching post was much larger than I thought - and is quite sturdy. I've taken my cat's paws and "demonstrated" scratching... and set it next to one of the tapestry chairs he's shredded. My DE-CLAWED rescue kitty "uses" it... BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN THE ONE WITH CLAWS USE IT!!! It does have a better "texture" and scratching "noise" than the chair, so I'm hopeful!!!