Nobby Rubi Scratching Post: 4 colors, dimensions & buying guide

Anyone looking for a scratching tree for a large cat will quickly realize that height alone doesn't say much. The thickness of the posts, the usable resting areas, the footprint, and whether the scratching tree can be sensibly integrated into the living space are also decisive factors. That is exactly why this guide is not just an extended product description. We take a look at the Nobby Rubi scratching tree based on reliable manufacturer data, our four specific items in the shop, and typical purchasing decisions.

Important to note: We are deliberately not calling the Rubi a "test winner" here and are not claiming any long-term test that we have not carried out ourselves. Where information is not clearly confirmed by the manufacturer – such as the total weight often mentioned by retailers – we mark it as such. This way, this article is intended to be a reliable decision-making aid and not just advertising.

Nobby Rubi: Dimensions and features at a glance

The most important technical specifications are the same for all four colour variants. This makes the colour comparison truly a design decision – the basic construction of the Rubi remains identical.

Why the 15 cm sisal posts on the Rubi stand out

Many potential buyers look at the total height first. With the Rubi, another figure is at least as interesting: 15 cm diameter for the sisal posts. Nobby explicitly describes these posts as extra wide and stable. For large cats, this is a plausible design feature because they can exert more body mass and leverage on the scratching tree when climbing, stretching, and scratching than small cats.

However, this does not mean that you can derive any arbitrary maximum load from this. We could not find a specific permissible maximum load per platform or for the entire scratching tree in the manufacturer's information checked so far. Therefore, we do not provide a made-up weight limit.

Is the Nobby Rubi really suitable for large cats?

Yes – with one important caveat: Nobby themselves describe the Rubi as particularly suitable for large cats. The extra-wide 15 cm scratching posts, the many lounging opportunities, and the impressive total height all fit this description. This makes the model fundamentally interesting for owners of large cats and large breeds such as Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest cats, or Ragdolls.

However, a breed name alone does not replace an individual assessment. Cats differ significantly in body weight, movement style, and preferences. Anyone who has an exceptionally heavy cat or expects several large cats to be on the tree at the same time should not rely on general information found on the internet. Decisive factors are always the specific setup, a level surface, regularly tightened screw connections, and the manufacturer's instructions.

Who is the Rubi particularly suitable for?

• For households looking for a tall scratching tree with multiple resting and observation spots.
• For large cats for whom very narrow scratching posts or small resting platforms can quickly become impractical.
• For cats that want to climb and scratch as well as sleep in an elevated position or retreat into a cave.
• For multi-cat households that want several spatially separated areas – without deriving a fixed permissible number of cats from this.
• For living spaces where a footprint of 60 × 80 cm plus space to move and nearly two metres of height can be sensibly accommodated.

When would we rather choose a different scratching tree?

The Rubi is not automatically the best solution for every home. Anyone who only has a small free corner, frequently moves furniture around, or is looking for a deliberately very light, mobile scratching tree should critically examine the dimensions. Even for cats that hardly climb or exclusively use resting areas close to the ground, an almost two-metre-tall tree may offer more features than are actually needed.

Conversely, "XXL" is not synonymous with "guaranteed to fit every heavy cat." If an officially documented weight capacity in kilograms is your most important buying criterion, you should obtain this specific manufacturer approval before purchasing. For the Rubi, we could not find a reliable official maximum load during our current review.

Nobby Rubi in 4 colours: Grey, Dark Grey, Cappuccino, or Cream?

Technically, the four Rubi variants are designed very similarly. The biggest practical difference is therefore how they look in a room. With a 197 cm tall cat piece of furniture, the colour is not incidental: the scratching tree becomes a visible part of the interior.

Rubi Grey – neutral and easy to combine

Grey is the understated variant and can be combined with many interior styles. Especially in rooms with white, natural wood, black, or muted textiles, the colour has a calm effect without the large scratching tree visually disappearing completely.

Item: 63713-01  |  EAN: 4033766118357

View Nobby Rubi Grey

Rubi Dark Grey – distinctive and less sensitive in appearance

Dark grey has a stronger presence as a piece of furniture and creates a clearer contrast to light-coloured walls. Those who have a modern, minimalist interior style with dark accents will often find this variant more harmonious. Whether dark plush looks cleaner in an individual household, however, depends strongly on the cat's fur colour.

Item: 63713-28  |  EAN: 4033766130458

View Nobby Rubi Dark Grey

Rubi Cappuccino – warm and cosy

Cappuccino brings a warmer beige-brown tone into the room. The colour goes particularly well with wood, natural materials, and warm wall colours. If a large scratching tree should look as homely as possible rather than technical, Cappuccino is an interesting choice.

Item: 63713-78  |  EAN: 4033766124402

View Nobby Rubi Cappuccino

Rubi Cream – the brightest, friendliest variant

Cream looks visually light and fits well in bright living spaces, with natural wood, and with Scandinavian or boho-inspired interiors. Precisely because the Rubi is almost two metres high, a light colour tone can make the tree appear slightly less massive. This is a design assessment, not a technical property.

Item: 63713-92  |  EAN: 4033766110412

View Nobby Rubi Cream

Comparing the four Rubi variants directly

Prices and availability are deliberately not included in this table. They can change; you will always see the current status stored in the shop on the respective product page.

Which Rubi colour is the best?

There is no objectively "best" colour. A simple rule helps with the decision: The larger the cat furniture, the more its colour influences the effect in the room. Grey is the most neutral, dark grey sets a clear accent, cappuccino looks warm, and cream is particularly bright. If you are torn between two colours, look more at the flooring, sofa, and large textiles than at small decorative elements.

For the cat itself, however, the location should be the deciding factor rather than the colour: A scratching tree is often more attractive when it combines social proximity, a view, and retreat options – for example in the living area or by a window, without blocking thoroughfares.

Location: Where should a 197 cm scratching tree be placed?

A large scratching tree only fulfills its purpose if it is placed stably and sensibly. Place the Rubi on a surface that is as level and sturdy as possible and align it so that all levels are freely usable. Regularly used walkways should not be restricted by protruding elements or the play rope.

At nearly two metres high, it is also worth considering baseboards, sloping ceilings, window sills, and radiators in advance. A spot may look large enough on the floor but still be too narrow further up. Therefore, measure the entire usable zone.

Assembly and follow-up checks

For a scratching tree of this size class, we would not promise a blanket "assembled in 20 minutes" statement. We could not confirm an official fixed assembly time during our manufacturer review. Plan enough space for sorting out the components and follow the assembly instructions included with the product.

After assembly, checking is more important than setting a speed record: all screw connections should be seated correctly. Especially with an intensively used scratching tree, it is worth checking connections regularly and retightening them if necessary according to the instructions. If the tree wobbles, the cause should be clarified before cats continue to climb on it.

Care: Plush, sisal, and cat hair

Plush surfaces can usually be kept clean in everyday life with a soft brush, a suitable pet hair attachment, or careful vacuuming. For stains, a slightly damp cloth is often the gentler first choice. For removable textile parts, you should follow the specific care instructions for the product before machine washing – we deliberately do not promise washability here that is not clearly stated in the official Rubi data we reviewed.

Sisal is a wear-and-tear material: It is fundamentally normal for fibers to show signs of wear with intensive use. Check heavily used areas and loose components regularly. In the event of visible damage that could affect stability or safe use, the affected area should not simply continue to be used.

Rubi experiences: What can be reliably inferred from public reviews?

During our research, we also looked at public reviews and product opinions on several retail and price comparison portals. Recurring positive topics there are above all the perceived stability, the size, and the use by larger cats. Such feedback is interesting as an orientation, but it is no substitute for a standard, independent product test. Furthermore, platforms differ in how purchases and reviews are verified.

Therefore, we do not use individual third-party reviews here as our own experience, nor do we write a test score based on them. For reliable technical data, we rely on manufacturer information and the specific product data for our four Rubi items.

How heavy is the Nobby Rubi?

There is a peculiarity on the web here: Several retailers list a weight of approximately 69 kg for the Rubi. However, we did not find this weight specification on the current official Nobby product page we reviewed. Therefore, we do not treat 69 kg as a manufacturer specification confirmed by us.

If the exact self-weight or shipping weight is important to you – for example, because of transport, stairs, or a special floor situation – this value should be confirmed again before purchase using current packaging or manufacturer documentation. This is more reliable than passing on a frequently copied retailer specification without verification.

Rubi or a smaller scratching tree?

The Rubi plays to its strengths when height and different activity zones are actually used. A cat that likes to observe from an elevated position, stretches out long on the sisal, and moves between the cave, hammock, and platform gets significantly more options here than with a compact model.

A smaller scratching tree can still be the better choice if floor space is limited or if your cat remains predominantly close to the ground due to age, mobility, or personal preference. Therefore, "larger" is not a quality feature in itself – it has to suit the animal and the room.

Our assessment of the Nobby Rubi

The Rubi is particularly exciting if you are deliberately looking for a large, versatile scratching tree. The combination of 197 cm height, 60 × 80 cm footprint, 15 cm sisal posts, several resting levels, a cave, two hammocks, hanging cushions, and a long play rope sets it apart functionally from simple compact scratching furniture.