The best cat scratching posts we tested
Best cat scratching post: Frisco 35-Inch Heavy-Duty Sisal Cat Scratching Post With Toy
Best budget cat scratching post: SmartCat Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher
Best cardboard cat scratching post: PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge?
Clawing is an instinctual cat behavior, but it’s frustrating if your cat decides to sink their claws into your furniture, rug or other inappropriate object. The best cat scratching posts provide a safe and satisfying way for your pets to exercise their claws and stretch, which is why experts recommend having at least one (if not multiple) in your home.
“Having different scratching posts and pads for your cat to choose from can discourage them from scratching and damaging items in your home that you don’t want them to scratch, such as furniture or rugs,” says Gabrielle Fadl, a veterinarian and senior director of Medical Team Projects of Bond Vet.
After consulting with cat behavior experts and testing 10 top-rated scratching posts, we found three options that are appealing to cats and have a sturdy build that will hold up to frequent use.
The Frisco Heavy-Duty Sisal Cat Scratching Post is incredibly sturdy and tall enough for even the largest cats. Cats love to claw at its sisal rope, and there’s even a dangling toy for your pet to play with.
Versatile and budget-friendly, the Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher can be mounted to the wall or placed on the floor for scratching. Despite its reasonable price, this post is sturdy, durable and can stand up to a lot of scratching.
For cats that prefer cardboard scratching posts, the PetFusion Ultimate Scratcher Lounge is made from dense corrugated material that doesn’t shed as much as others. It doubles as a comfortable resting spot and is reversible so your pet can use it longer.?
Best cat scratching post: Frisco 35-Inch Heavy-Duty Sisal Cat Scratching Post With Toy
When I had all 10 scratching posts lined up in the same room, my cat, Piper, consistently made a beeline for the Frisco Heavy-Duty Sisal Scratching Post, and throughout testing, she used it daily. Not only was this post her favorite but it outperformed the competition in stability, size and overall value, making it our top recommendation for any cat.
This scratching post is just over 35 inches high, making it the tallest of all the upright options we tested. While Piper is on the smaller side, the Frisco post is large enough for bigger animals to reach up and get a good stretch as they claw, and its round base proved incredibly sturdy, despite the post’s above-average height. It never rocked or wobbled when Piper was clawing it, and it barely even moved when she’d climb to the top and launch herself off onto other furniture.
The Frisco Scratching Post is wrapped in a dense sisal rope with faux fur accents at the top and bottom, and it has a little dangling pompom toy on the top. Its sisal material was particularly appealing for Piper to claw, and she almost always chose it over posts that were covered in woven fabric. From watching her as she scratched, I deduced that she could more easily sink her claws deep into the rope, resulting in a more satisfying scratching action, which I expect is why she liked it. Despite being used daily for over a month, the rope held up impressively well, with only a few loose fibers.
In terms of its appearance, this scratching post isn’t much of an eyesore. I wouldn’t call it stylish, but I also don’t mind having it in my living room. It comes in two shades of gray and is slim enough that it doesn’t take up a lot of visual space, unlike some of the larger vertical posts we tested. It also ships in compact packaging and is quick and easy to assemble without any tools.
In addition to being sturdy, durable and appealing to cats, the Frisco Heavy-Duty Sisal Scratching Post is also the most affordable of the upright scratching posts we tested, costing under $40 at Chewy. Overall, it’s a top choice for cats of all sizes, and on the off chance your cat doesn’t like it, Chewy is known for its exceptional customer service and accepts returns for up to a year, even if it’s been used.
Best budget scratching post: SmartCat Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher
If you don’t want to spend too much on a scratching post, the Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher is a well-made option that costs just $20. It’s also more versatile than the other scratchers we tested. Its unique design can be laid flat on the ground or mounted to the wall, which comes in handy if you’re unsure whether your cat prefers a vertical or horizontal scratching post.
This scratcher is 24 inches long and 7 inches wide, providing plenty of room for your cat to claw, and for larger animals, you can mount it higher up the wall to ensure it’s the right height for their arms. The surface of the post is covered in a dense woven sisal fabric, and because the material is so tightly woven, even Piper’s most aggressive clawing didn’t pull out any fibers. She didn’t seem to like the material quite as much as sisal rope, as it’s a bit harder to sink her claws into, but she still used it regularly throughout testing. I also liked that the faux wooden frame of the post is heavy-duty and durable, giving it a substantial weight — something that was lacking in other budget-friendly products.
The Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher arrives fully assembled and ready to use, and it includes a screw for mounting, which slips into a notch on the back of the post. There are also four large nonslip rubber feet on the back of the post, preventing it from shifting around during use. We tried out the scratcher both ways — resting horizontally on the floor and mounted to the wall — and Piper used it more often when it was vertical. The post was sturdy while mounted and stayed in place while she clawed at it, and I wasn’t worried about it falling, even when she tried climbing it.
This post still looked as good as new after a month of testing, faring much better than other inexpensive options. Although it’s not a stylish addition to your decor, its smaller size isn’t obtrusive. I like that it’s not a cheap, flimsy scratcher even though it has a lower price, and the versatile design is ideal if you’re trying to figure out your cat’s clawing preferences.
Best cardboard scratching post: PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge
Some cats prefer cardboard scratching posts, as the material is softer on their claws and satisfying to rip, and among the cardboard options we tested, the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge was the top performer. It held up surprisingly well against Piper’s aggressive (and frequent) clawing, and it became one of her favorite spots to lounge, thanks to its curved horizontal design.
While other cardboard scratching pads we tested were small and often flimsy, the Ultimate Lounger is 34 inches long and over 10 inches tall, making it well-suited for larger animals. I was surprised at how much it weighs (around 12 pounds) considering it’s made entirely of corrugated cardboard, and it was able to support Piper as she climbed on it, scratched its surface and napped in its curved form. The downside is that this scratcher takes up more floor space than upright models due to its horizontal orientation. And because it’s just cardboard, it won’t add much to your home’s decor.
It is one of the more durable scratchers I tested, though, and was another one Piper loved using and returned to daily. She would regularly perch on one side of the peanut shape to claw at the other, and while the surface did have some small rips after a month of use, it barely shed, thanks to its denser material. The cardboard will likely wear out more quickly than a sisal scratching post, but when your cat sufficiently scratches up one side, you can flip it over for a fresh, new surface. Plus, when both surfaces are fully spent, you can recycle the scratcher, keeping it out of the landfill.
At $50, the Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge is one of the more expensive scratching posts we tested, but its large, durable design will hold up far longer than other flimsy cardboard options. That, coupled with the fact it barely sheds and doubles as a resting spot, makes it worth the investment for cardboard-loving cats.
How we tested
To find the best cat-scratching posts, we tested 10 popular models, including sisal and cardboard options. With the help of my 1-year-old cat, Piper, we tested the scratchers for around a month, considering things like their size, materials, stability and overall appeal to cats.
Here are all the tests we ran for each cat-scratching post before selecting our winners.
Design
- Setup: When they arrived, I set up each scratching post, noting if any special tools were needed and how long the process took. Some scratchers were ready to use out of the box, while others required assembly that took several minutes.
- Size: I evaluated the overall size of each scratcher and how much usable area it offered. I also noted if the design was reversible or if just one side could be scratched.
- Stability: Cats prefer a sturdy surface for clawing, so I kept an eye on Piper as she used each scratching post to see if it wobbled or shifted around. For upright posts, I pushed them to see if they would tip over, and for wall-mounted options, I evaluated if they were stable enough to support a cat climbing up them.
- Appearance: I noted whether each scratching post was stylish or would be an eyesore in your living space, as well as how much space it took up in a room.
Materials
- Appeal: I set up all 10 scratching posts in the same room to see which ones Piper gravitated toward the most. She seemed to prefer certain materials that were easier to claw and quickly established a few favorites.
- Durability: After a month of use, I carefully examined each scratching post to see how well it held up against Piper’s scratching. I noted any loose fibers on sisal posts, as well as if cardboard scratchers had noticeable rips and tears.
- Cleanliness: Some scratching posts make a mess of your home by shedding fibers or flakes of cardboard. This can also be potentially harmful if your cat ingests the pieces, so I recorded which scratchers shed the most during use.
Price
- Overall value: Scratching posts won’t last forever, but well-built models can often be used for multiple years before they need to be replaced. I evaluated the quality and durability of each product against its cost, aiming to find options that are a good value for the price.
- Replaceable parts: I also took note of any posts that have replaceable components, which can help extend the lifespan of the scratcher and save you money.
Everything to know about cat scratching posts
Do cats prefer sisal or cardboard scratching posts?
The two most common materials used on scratching posts are sisal, a ropelike fiber, and corrugated cardboard, and each has its own benefits. For instance, sisal often lasts longer, while cardboard is easy to recycle. Ultimately, each cat will have a preference between the two materials.
If you’re unsure what your cat would prefer, experts recommend trying out a cardboard scratching post. “Classic cardboard scratchers are a great place to start because they are economical, more environmentally friendly and easy to find,” says Gwendolyn Mathers, executive director of Tail Town Cats.
However, if you’re trying to discourage your cat from scratching furniture, a sisal rope scratcher provides a similar texture that may be more appealing. “Some cats prefer a rope texture or carpeting,” Mathers says. “If you’re trying to prevent your cat from scratching a certain area or piece of furniture, try to find something for them that is similar to that material.”
Are vertical or horizontal scratchers better for cats?
Vertical cat scratching posts can be freestanding or wall-mounted, while horizontal options typically sit flat on the floor. Some cats may have a strong preference between the two orientations, while other animals may use either. However, for older animals, horizontal scratchers are often more accessible. “Horizontal or reclining scratchers may be more comfortable for older cats and don’t require the same range of motion,” Mathers says.
You can always use your cat’s current scratching behaviors to guide your choice. If your pet gravitates toward furniture to claw, try a vertical post. If they prefer to claw rugs, a horizontal scratcher may be a better fit.
No matter which style you choose, select a scratcher that’s an appropriate size for your pet. “Scratching poles should be about 20% taller than your cat when they are extending upward and stable enough to not rock when they rip into it,” Mathers says. “If a cat feels like it could fall on them, they will avoid it.”
Where is the best place to put a cat scratching post?
For best results, place your new scratching post in a room where your cat spends a lot of time or next to an object your cat currently likes to claw. “It’s important to put the scratcher in a place the cat will use it. Where are they scratching currently? Don’t leave it in an unused corner your cat never goes to, or it’s going to be forgotten about,” Mathers says.
If your cat doesn’t warm up to the post right away, there are a few ways you can encourage them to claw it. “A sprinkle of catnip, silvervine or some treats go a long way when introducing a new object to your kitty,” Mathers says. “They also catch on quickly when you lead by example — you can scratch your nails along the material to make a scratching noise. The rest is instinct to them.”
Other cat scratching posts we tested
With lots of scratching area and a sturdy base, this upright scratching post is a top choice for larger cats.?
The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post is extremely popular, and it’s easy to see why. In testing, it was the sturdiest upright option, thanks to its large, heavy base, and it’s just a few inches shorter than our top pick, making it an appropriate size for bigger cats. Plus, it has four large sides for scratching and a sizable platform on top of the post, which Piper often used as a perch to survey the room.
However, there are a few reasons why it wasn’t our top pick. Piper preferred sisal rope surfaces to this post’s woven fabric. Because it’s so dense, she couldn’t sink her claws into it easily. Additionally, this scratching post is bulky and unattractive with plain particle board making up the base and cap.
Its faux fur accents make it slightly more attractive than other posts, and it offers plenty of space for scratching.?
This scratching post from Frisco is the same size and shape as the one from SmartCat, but it has faux fur accents on the base and cap, making it slightly more attractive. It comes in three colors and is sturdy and tall enough for even the biggest cats to scratch. However, the woven fabric surface, though made of sisal, wasn’t the most appealing to Piper, and it’s too bulky to incorporate into your space. Still, it’s not a bad option for cats who love to claw, and it’s slightly cheaper than the SmartCat post.
This wall-mounted scratcher was the most stylish option we tested, and it can stand up to rambunctious cats.?
If you’re looking for a scratcher that will complement your decor, this wall-mounted option from Mau is the most stylish product we tested. It has a sisal rope-wrapped panel that comes in eight colors, and it includes a heavy-duty wall mount that can withstand being climbed on. Piper really liked this scratcher due to its sisal rope construction, and the panel is double-sided so you can flip it around when your cat wears down one side. It’s a little more expensive than other picks, but it may be worth the added cost if you want something that won’t be an eyesore in your home.
While it has some cool features, this scratching post is overly expensive and less sturdy than other upright models.?
Omlet is well-known among chicken owners (like myself) for its innovative coop designs, and the brand also offers products for other pets, including cats. The Switch Cat Scratching Post has a unique design with a replaceable sisal sleeve and integrated LED lights. However, it’s expensive and complicated to assemble.
Unlike other upright posts that screw together, the Switch was quite challenging to set up with lots of pieces and vague instructions. It also uses a plastic bottle filled with water to weigh down the base, which is a strange choice. Even with the added weight, it wasn’t as sturdy as other posts, wobbling when Piper scratched at it, and as a result, she didn’t use it very often.
These cardboard scratchers are small and basic, and we like that they’re reversible.
These scratching pads from Midwest are as basic as they come, with corrugated cardboard inside a cardboard frame. We tried out both sizes, and while the large was big enough for Piper to use, the small was truly tiny. The construction of the scratcher is flimsy and an eyesore in your home, but I did like that the insert can be flipped over for more clawing area. Plus, the “frame” helps to catch little pieces of cardboard that shed off as your cat claws at it.
This scratcher is made from quality materials, but its design is unstable and often tips over.?
The SmartyCat Sisal Angle Scratcher has a sloped design that’s supposed to help your cat stretch, but unfortunately, it’s just not stable enough to be appealing to cats. Piper tried to use it once and accidentally tipped it over, and she never went near it again. I like that it’s made from wood with a thick sisal fabric, but none of that matters if your cat is scared of it.
While it has a cute pattern, this small cardboard scratcher is too small for most cats and makes a mess when clawed.?
This cardboard scratcher from Catit is cute, but it’s quite small and flimsy. It shifts around on the floor easily, and while it has a curved design to encourage lounging, only the smallest cats can sit on it. Plus, it sheds quite a bit of cardboard when clawed, making a mess on the floor around it.
