Which scratching post survives a Savannah stretching to full height with serious murder mittens?

Get a heavy-duty sisal post, at least 36 inches tall, with a solid wood base-none of that lightweight particleboard junk. Look for one anchored with screws into the floor or wall if you can, because a Savannah cat will tip a flimsy post faster than you can say "ouch." The carpet-covered ones are useless; sisal is the only thing that holds up to those claws. I've seen a Savannah shred a $40 cardboard scratcher in one go, so don't bother.

For serious height, consider a cat tree with a wide, heavy base-think 20 pounds minimum-and multiple sisal-wrapped columns. Brands like Cat Tree King or Frisco's heavy-duty line have survived my friend's Savannah, who stretches out like a gymnast. Just be ready to tighten screws every few months; no post is indestructible with a cat that size.

I’d steer you toward a heavy-duty post wrapped in thick, natural sisal rope-none of that glued-on carpet or cheap fabric that shreds in a week. The key is a solid base, like a 20-pound concrete or steel plate, or one that bolts into the wall studs. Savannahs are part wildcat, so they’ll launch themselves onto it with full force, and a flimsy post will wobble or tip over. I’ve had luck with a 42-inch post from a company that builds for big cats-it’s got a replaceable sisal sleeve and a base you can anchor with screws into the floor. That’s the only way I’ve kept mine from dragging the whole thing across the room when she stretches.

A 40-inch solid wood post wrapped in marine-grade sisal, secured to a 30-pound concrete base, is your baseline. Anything less and the cat will torque the post loose within a month. I recommend the CatastrophiCreations "Tall Timber" or the Molly and Felix "Rising Sun"-both are hardwood, not pine, and use 5/8-inch sisal that doesn't fray under repeated clawing. Avoid posts with carpet or cardboard; Savannahs have the jaw strength to rip those apart. For stability, screw the base into a plywood sheet under your rug, or bolt it to a wall stud if you're renting-no adhesive or rubber feet will hold a full-stretch leap. The murder mittens are essentially bone hooks, so check the post's core is solid oak or birch, not hollow MDF, or you'll be replacing it in three months.