Best Cat Scratching Posts

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 4, 2023
Cat scratching posts allow cats to relieve stress and secure claw health. The best cat scratching posts will also be able to entertain ...Read more
PROS

You can place the post vertically or horizontally. The cats can climb the post or use the hubby hole for play and exploration. The curved shape will let felines choose between various scratching angles and stretch however they want. 

CONS

The post might sometimes leave cardboard debris. 

OUR VERDICT

PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post will be able to protect your furniture and different surfaces since cats will love this post more than them. The product ensures great exercise, promotes healthy claws, and lets cats relieve stress. 

detailed parameters
Type

Scratching post 

Sizes

21" x 24" x 10.5" (large),

18" x 16" x 10. 5" (standard)

Materials

Recycled cardboard 

Extras

Multiple scratching angles, No assembly required

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

PROS

The base is wide and stable, great at eliminating wobbling and tipping. The materials encourage and inspire scratching, so there's very little chance cats will be choosing various furniture pieces over this post. 

CONS

The corners are pretty sharp. 

OUR VERDICT

SmartCat The Ultimate Scratching Post will combine play and exercise. Large cats will be able to fully stretch and even tone muscles. You won't have to worry about the post snagging nails. The product will relieve stress and guarantee that necessary satisfactory scratch.

detailed parameters
Type

Scratching post 

Sizes

32″ x 16″ x 16″ 

Materials

Woven sisal, MDF 

Extras

Assembles with two included screws 

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

PROS

The package comes with four pom-pom toys, two bell toys, and one cat-chase laser that you can use to play with cats or occupy them when you're busy/unavailable. You can remove the cushion from the condo. The scratchpad is more durable than you'd expect. 

CONS

The construction might fall if the cat jumps onto the hammock.  

OUR VERDICT

Ruff 'n' Ruffus Foldable Cat Tower Tree is an entertainment center for felines and easily the best cat scratching post for households with multiple cats/kittens. The foldable construction requires very little space. There's enough here to occupy cats for quite some time. 

detailed parameters
Type

Scratching post and hammock

Sizes

25.5” x 13.75” x 20.25” 

Materials

Plush fabric, sisal scratchpad 

Extras

Foldable, 16” x 10” cat scratch pad, 2 dangling balls, 7” diameter condo opening with a removable cushion, free bonus handheld chase toy + 6 cat toys, no assembly required

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

PROS

The natural jute fiber that the columns/pillars are made from is tough and durable, durable enough to withstand daily scratching. At the same time, the material's rough texture is perfect for keeping the claws healthy. 

CONS

The cat could accidentally rip off the dangling balls. 

OUR VERDICT

AmazonBasics Cat Scratching Post and Hammock provides an outlet for cats' scratching compulsions and spares furniture from sharp claws. The size is comfortable for kittens and mature cats alike. The neutral color scheme will mesh well with most settings. 

detailed parameters
Type

Scratching post and hammock

Sizes

19.9" x 15.8" x 15.8"

Materials

Plush, jute fiber 

Extras

Dual scratching post pillars, 1 detachable dangling ball, no assembly required

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

PROS

The high-strength sisal ropes will be able to survive rigorous scratching. These ropes do not leave debris behind, meaning you won't be forced to waste time upkeeping/cleaning the post. The dangling ball makes this product even more attractive to felines. 

CONS

The base could use some non-slip solution. 

OUR VERDICT

Catry Scratching Post is affordable and somewhat basic compared to most posts within this selection but good enough to get the job done and durable enough to continue getting that job done for years to come. Also, the minimalistic design will blend into most spaces. 

detailed parameters
Type

Floorstanding 

Sizes

17" x 12" x 12", 

32" x 24" x 16"

Materials

Sisal ropes, felt, MDF 

Extras

1 dangling ball, no assembly required

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

Multiple Scratching Angles

Cats love the PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post. First, what we have here is a scratcher and a comfortable play area, keeping finicky felines engaged and occupied. The vertical base promotes and encourages horizontal scratching, which is more comfortable and natural for cats. At the same time, the curved shape provides multiple scratching and stretching angles.

The post looks stylish and fancy, which is not something we can say about most scratching posts. You can put this thing anywhere you want and even likely elevate the living space's aesthetics. At the very least, the neutral color scheme means the post won't stand out.

From the construction and size standpoints, the product is available measuring at 21" x 24" x 10.5" (large) and 18" x 16" x 10. 5" (standard). Whatever size you order, the post arrives constructed from recycled cardboard. Cats love these. Plus, more often than not, recycled cardboard posts last longer than sisal scratching posts. The downside is that the post might sometimes leave cardboard debris when the cat(s) get too excited.

Other than that, PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post will satisfy not only your feline companion but also you. It looks great too.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $59.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B00UVNSASA

Play and Exercise

SmartCat The Ultimate Scratching Post is pretty much what the name suggests. Sure, there's no ultimate scratching post, but the product comes pretty darn close to the title.

First off, the 32-inch height lets even huge cats fully stretch and tone muscles. At the same time, the 16- x 16-inch will be able to eliminate tipping and wobbling, so you won't have to adjust the post every few days.

The corners are pretty sharp, that's where the product somewhat drops the ball. That being said, you cannot make these posts stable and secure without incorporating sharp corners, so that's a trade-off.

As far as construction is concerned, the fibrous and durable woven sisal is an excellent choice since the material naturally inspires and encourages scratching, so cats will be more likely to choose the post rather than some furniture piece. Plus, this thing is much better than carpeted posts since those can sometimes snag nails.

You'll have no issues assembling the construction using the two screws that come supplied with the package.

Last but not least, the subtle colors and the wooden base make the post good enough to add to most settings, meaning you can place this thing wherever you want without worrying about ruining the space's vibe.

Last updated price $49.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B000634MH8

Climb the Tree

Ruff 'n' Ruffus Foldable Cat Tower Tree will be able to keep multiple kittens occupied and excited. There's so much here that cats won't be getting bored with this thing for quite some time.

First, there's the sisal scratchpad that felines can use to relieve stress and file nails.

Second, there's this 7-inch (diameter) condo opening that felines can enter and cozy up inside the cat tree. Plus, the condo comes supplied with this nice little removable cushion, so you can make your pets feel as comfortable as they want.

In addition to everything else, the package comes supplied with this one handheld chase toy that you can use to play with kittens and six cat toys that should be able to keep them occupied when you're busy.

Last but not necessarily least, there's a hammock on top of the construction where cats can lounge.

As far as we're concerned, the product's only flaw lies with that hammock since the entire construction might sometimes fall when cats jump too quickly onto the hammock.

Besides that though, what we have here is an excellent product. The plush fabric is soft and pleasant to the touch. The entire construction comes fully assembled, so you won't have to put anything together and will be able to immediately put the post to good use.

Last updated price $42.98
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07RRC1HMJ

Purrfect Playground

AmazonBasics Cat Scratching Post and Hammock does not look basic at all. In fact, the post looks quite attractive, which is surprising considering the modest price tag. Plus, it is more well-thought-out than you'd expect.

First, the pillars that support the hammock are made from natural jute fiber, a material that's sturdy, durable, and long-lasting enough to survive daily scratches. Its rough texture will be able to contribute wonders to healthy claws.

At the same time, the elevated hammock will let your feline friend comfortably lie and relax after playing with this thing. The cat can also lie down on the plush fabric beneath the hammock, it is snug, cozy, and comfortable too.

The package comes supplied with one dangling ball. As you'd imagine, the ball will usually be able to keep cats somewhat occupied for some time. You can also purchase and attach multiple separate balls. However, you'll have to keep in mind that most cats will usually be able to accidentally rip off these balls after some time.

Apart from that, we've no issues with this post. Measuring 19.9 x 15.8 x 15.8 inches, the construction will take less space than these posts usually need. Also, the price makes more than enough sense.

Last updated price $26.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GL45JHQ

Sparing Furniture

Catry Scratching Post keeps things simple. As far as we're concerned, that's the best approach because we all know that cats rarely care for these complicated, convoluted toys/playgrounds.

First things first, the high-strength sisal ropes will have no issues surviving daily scratches. Plus, cats love this material, so the chances that felines will be choosing different surfaces over this post are low. Also, the ropes don't leave any debris behind, so you won't have to clean after the cat every time he uses the post.

Apart from that, mixing surprisingly long-lasting gray felt and robust MDF, the construction becomes strong and sturdy. The wide base makes sure to keep the post stable secure, so cats are unable to bring down the post even when they want to.

At the same time, the cat could use some non-slip solution because it will sometimes slide when placed onto slippery surfaces.

On the upside, the post comes equipped with this nice little dangling ball that might be able to entertain most cats for some time when you're busy.

Bottom line, Catry Scratching Post gets the job done. The post is available in two sizes (17" x 12" x 12" for kittens and 32" x 24" x 16" for large cats). No assembly is required here.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $19.96
Stock In stock
ASIN B07W8X9L4Q

What Is a Cat Scratching Post?

Cats have this natural impulse that persuades/sways them condition the nails through scratching various surfaces. This way, cats are able to remove dead layers and keep their nails not only sharp (something that they've always done to survive) but also healthy.

Of course, you don't want these "various surfaces" to include expensive furniture pieces, which is where cat scratching posts come into play. Providing an outlet for the cats' scratching compulsions, these posts are usually able to prevent big-time property damage. At the same time, they're keeping cats healthy and happy.

More often than not, these posts adopt various materials like jute fiber and sisal that naturally attracts cats, persuading them to choose the posts instead of different surfaces throughout the house. Also, these materials are usually tough enough to endure constant severe scratching.

Apart from that, the posts we're talking about here will sometimes come equipped with various toys and lounge spots that cats can use to entertain themselves and relax.

Though versatile, these constructions are seldom as cozy as cat houses and as entertaining as cat trees though, so you might want to look into these too.

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