The 10 Best Scratching Posts

The Catit lounge scratcher was a huge hit with my cats, and it’s very affordable! Although I don’t recommend it as the sole scratcher for your home, it’s an excellent addition if you already have a couple of sisal or carpet scratchers and want something different.

My cats have spent plenty of time scratching at and laying on this one. Some of them also like biting at the corners of the cardboard. Although it’s fairly small, this didn’t seem to bother the cats as they could still stretch out on the floor while scratching. One even held it in his front legs and kicked at it like a toy. It was an unexpected household favorite.

The downsides of this scratcher are that it does shred easily and will soon need to be thrown away. I also noticed that my cats weren’t attracted to the catnip it came with–maybe because the product is cheaply made, or maybe the packet I received wasn’t fresh. Either way, I had to dig into our own catnip stash to get the cats interested in the scratcher initially.

During my research, many cat parents recommended this MidWest scratcher for large cats, and I can see why. Standing at 41 inches tall with a wide, sturdy base, it accommodates even my largest cats.

It has much thicker sisal rope than other scratchers I’ve seen, which would work well for the claws of large-breed cats such as Maine Coons. My largest boys have enjoyed scratching this one the most and it’s held up well to their claws.

It was also very simple to assemble, though the pieces were heavy so it was a bit harder to line them up. I also love the neutral brown color, which can not only blend into household decor but also matches many of the brown cat trees on the market today.

If your cat enjoys scratching carpet more than sisal, this Cat Craft scratcher is probably your best bet. It’s made of a flat carpet texture that’s easy for cats to dig their nails into, without the shedding you might see from other carpet types.

This one was most-loved by my smallest cat, but it’s made with large breeds in mind. It stands at 14.75 inches tall with a wide base. It also comes with two toys that encourage your cat to climb and play. Its gray color blends in well with other furniture and decor in the home. Although it will definitely take up space, it’s unlikely to clash no matter where you put it.

The PetFusion lounge is exactly what you want from a cardboard scratcher. It’s large, sturdy, and even doubles as a place for cats to sleep.

During testing, the top was mostly monopolized by two of my older cats as a napping place. However, the other cats liked scratching it when it wasn’t in use, especially after it’d been sprayed with some catnip spray.

Although this scratcher is more durable than other cardboard scratchers I’ve seen, it’s still made of cardboard, so I was already seeing slight damage after the first couple of days. However, it’s still holding strong after about a month of use, and PetFusion states that it should hold up for more than a year. It’s also reversible, so once too much damage shows on one side, it can be flipped over and given a second life.

If you have a playful cat, or especially a kitten, the Frisco Triple Sisal Ball scratcher will be perfect for them. It comes with two horizontal scratching posts and three spinning balls, all made of sisal. Woven mats attach to the sides to give your cat more places to scratch.

Although the product is short (it’s made more for cats to play than to stretch) this didn’t stop my biggest cat from having a great time. He enjoyed lying on the floor while batting at the balls and wrapping himself around the scratchers. My smaller cats also liked playing with it while standing up.

I wouldn’t recommend this as your cat’s only scratcher since it doesn’t allow them to stretch much, but it’s a great addition if you’re looking for something different. It would also be fantastic for kittens.

If you’re tired of redirecting your cat to the scratcher across the room, this corner scratcher can be used to cover the place they’re already scratching. It can be used on couches, chairs, and wall corners.

I like that it comes with a couple of options to attach the scratcher to the furniture or wall you’re working with. This, as well as the rounded base, keeps the scratcher steady while your cat scratches. The materials also seem pretty durable and long-lasting.

Admittedly, it was difficult to entice my cats to use this one, but I think this is because they’re used to being told not to scratch furniture. If this is something your cat is still working on, they’ll be more likely to use this.

My cats had a great time scratching and sleeping on this scratcher mat. I like how simple the product is, as I can just roll it out on the carpet, sprinkle some catnip, and let them play. If you want to keep it in one place, this is also an option. The mat has adhesive strips on the back that can attach to a hard surface such as a table or flooring to keep it steady.

This mat is a great way to protect your carpet if your cat loves to scratch vertically. Made from woven sisal, it’s durable and I can see it lasting a long time.

The IKEA scratch mat is made to wrap around table legs and similar items, making it perfect for small spaces. I personally wrapped it around a worn scratching post on a cat tree, and it was much easier than removing and replacing the original sisal rope. The mat wraps around furniture easily with three velcro strips holding it in place. My cats thoroughly enjoyed scratching it.

Something to consider is that the mat is 24.75 inches tall, so make sure your furniture legs are also that height. Although it can be folded to attach to shorter objects, it attaches less securely this way and might fall off.

Another great fit for small spaces is this window scratcher. This cardboard scratcher attaches to windows using four strong suction cups, and holds up to 50 pounds. Your cats can use it to scratch, sleep, and climb. When the cardboard becomes worn out, K&H offers two replacement options: the flat Kitty Sill and the more rounded Kitty Sill Cradle. Both fit in the original frame.

There aren’t many issues with this scratcher aside from the typical problems you face with cardboard. It can be messy, both because it shreds easily and because catnip falls through the holes in its surface. The cardboard scratching surface is also not super durable, though the metal frame and suction cups should hold up through many cardboard replacements.