Two pieces of furniture in one, which matters in a room that already has a cat tree, a bed and nowhere left to put anything. Four plush steps climb to 59cm — bed height for most divans — and a scratching post is built into the side, so the thing your cat uses to get up is also the thing that keeps them off the sofa arm.

The frame is particle board rather than plastic, and it is rated to 50kg, so it does not shift or creak as a dog goes up. That rigidity is the difference between steps that get used and steps a nervous animal tries once. The treads are wide at 40.5cm and inclined slightly rather than stacked square, which shortens the reach between them and reduces the strain on a stiff back or hips.

• Overall 60cm long x 40.5cm wide x 59cm high
• Four steps, each 40.5cm wide x 15cm deep
• Particle board frame with soft plush covering
• Integrated sisal scratching post
• Supports up to 50kg
• Lightweight enough to move between rooms

Best used somewhere permanent. Plush covering is comfortable and grippy underfoot but it holds hair and is not machine washable, so site it where you can get a vacuum nozzle to it. And as with any steps, leave them in the same place for a couple of weeks while your pet learns the route — moving them around resets the training every time.

Who it's for: Cat owners who want steps and a scratching post without two pieces of furniture, and households with a senior cat or small dog who has started hesitating before jumping up.