Sisal, Jute, and Sea Grass are all popular natural fibers used with cat toys and scratching posts. While they look very similar and often get grouped together, they are all very different. Which fiber is perfect for your cat? You decide.
Sisal
Sisal is the stiffest and most course of the three natural fibers. It is stripped from the leaves of the Mexican agave plant and then spun into a yarn-like material. Sisal is the most popular natural fiber and often used to make rope and twine. It has a natural creamy white hue. As one of the strongest natural fibers available, sisal is incredibly durable and holds up nicely to active cats. While its durability is second to none, it is not very soft. If your cat or cats are extremely playful Sisal will last the longest. Due to its durability and popularity, Sisal is also more expensive.
Sea Grass
Sea grass offers texture galore. Grown in saltwater marshes, it’s nonporous and thus incredibly water-resistant. Sea-grass fibers have a light sheen and often start out with a light-green tinge that fades to khaki. Sea-grass is typically bound with cotton making it softer than Sisal. Sea Grass offers the durability of Sisal with the softness of Jute. Sea grass is fast-growing and easy to harvest, making it the most eco-friendly choice available. Because it is so easy to grow and harvest, it is the cheapest natural grass.
Jute
Jute is the same fiber used to make burlap and the softest of the natural fibers. Jute grows in shiny, green stalks that are soaked, stripped, and spun before weaving. This process gives the fibers a natural brown hue. Jute fibers come from the plant’s stalk, not its leaves, the material is wonderfully soft; it almost resembles wool. That softness means it’s also the least durable of the bunch. Jute is the softest and least durable but still cheaper than Sisal. If softness is the key, this is your choice.
No One Loves Cats More Than Us!