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The best cat scratching posts don’t just preserve your home—they offer an essential solution for maintaining your cat’s claws and enriching their environment.
We spoke with cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider at The Cat Behavior Clinic, who explains that cats claw as a way to mark territory, reduce stress, stretch, and take care of their nails. If you don’t provide them with scratching posts or cat scratchers, they’ll seek out substitutes—like wooden chair legs, carpets, or your sofa.
To reap the benefits of a good cat scratching post, you’ll want to choose the right size and material, plus put them in the right place. Here’s what to know, how to pick, and our favorite options.
How To Choose
The best scratching post for your cat is the one they’ll use. When looking for the best options to promote your cat’s health and protect your furniture, you’ll want to consider a scratcher’s material, height, and convenience for your kitty.
Materials
Cats generally prefer nubby textures that they can dig their claws into for traction, according to Ms. Nagelschneider. Usually, this means sisal, corrugated cardboard, or carpet.
For the longest-lasting scratcher, choose sisal, a durable natural fiber. Cardboard will need to be swapped in and out more often—but it’s also recyclable. Carpet is a feline favorite but sometimes not a human one, since it can occasionally lead to kitty confusion about acceptable scratching surfaces.
Height and sturdiness
A lot of cats like to stretch as they scratch. That means offering them the chance for a good vertical rise. Ms. Nagelschneider recommends that posts and wall-mounted scratchers be at least three-feet high and wide enough to be sturdy. After all, if a post wobbles, your cat may shy away from it. Cats who love to climb might prefer a cat tree with a sisal base.
Ease of use
In order for a cat to get maximum use out of their scratching post, it needs to be easy to use. Smaller kitties or arthritic seniors may not like stretching up on their haunches. Consider a smaller or horizontal post—or even a disc—to keep these cats low to the ground and comfortable.
Best Overall Scratching Post: SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
This popular post covers the basics well. Sisal, a durable and natural fiber derived from the Agave sisalana plant, is an excellent material for cat scratching posts. Just shy of three feet tall, the post gives cats who like to stretch and scratch good scope for their talents, and reviewers say even chonky climbers find it sturdy. Set up (two screws and two dowels) is easy, and neutral colors match a wide range of indoor spaces.
| Height | Base |
| 32″ | 16″ x 16″ |
Key Features:
- Good height to base ratio for sturdiness
- Compact enough for smaller spaces, but tall enough for stretching
- Wrapped in sisal
- Includes solid wood base
To Consider:
- Has only a small perch platform
- May be small for adult cats 15+ pounds
Best for Small Spaces: Fukumaru Cat Scratcher
This corrugated cardboard scratching post prioritizes versatility. It fits well into small spaces and can be oriented in different ways (upright or flat) to create some variety for your cat. Flipped on its side, it offers a cozy hiding space—which our experts note is a good feature for cat habitats. It uses a wooden frame to add sturdiness and 100% recyclable heavy-duty cardboard. Best of all, it’s easy on the budget.
| Length | Width | Height |
| 9.4″ | 15.2″ | 18.9″ |
Key Features:
- Easy to configure into three different shapes
- Fits well into small spaces
- Uses heavy-duty cardboard
To Consider:
- May not work for large adult cats
Best Budget Cat Scratching Post and Tower: Yaheetech 36″ 3-Tier Tower
The plush Yaheetech tower/scratching post combo gives a lot of size and versatility for a small budget. The whole construction rises to 36 inches, tall enough for even our longest cats. Additional spots to perch, play, hide, and scratch add enrichment and appeal to your cat’s natural instincts. We like the wool and sisal combination, and the range of spaces is a good fit for multi-cat families.
| Height | Width | Depth |
| 36″ | 18″ | 19.3″ |
Key Features:
- Corners are rounded for safety
- Multiple levels and textures to appeal to your cat’s curiosity
- Includes a perch and a hiding space
- Uses engineered wool and sisal
To Consider:
- Poles only partially covered with sisal (less scratching surface)
- Assembly required
- Large footprint
Best Upgrade: Mau Lifestyle Cento 46-in Modern Wooden Cat Tree & Condo
If you’re looking for a luxury upgrade, it’s hard to beat Mau’s stylish cat furniture. This wood and wicker cat tree uses two real wood “trunks” to form the main posts of this 46-inch tall piece. That’s tall enough for big cats and frisky, jumping kittens alike.
The tree is designed to support several cats and is extra sturdy thanks to its wide fur-lined base. This design checks a lot of boxes for our experts too, using different materials and textures, offering perches and sleeping baskets, as well as interactive cat toys.
Wooden branches pair with cat-friendly sisal for scratching. The handwoven basket perches come with machine washable cushions for easy cleanup. The unique design does come at higher price point than a more standard cat tree, so it’s not for the budget-conscious cat parent.
| Height | Width | Depth |
| 46″ | 23.5″ | 18″ |
Key Features:
- Double perches, scratching posts, and pom poms
- Washable cushions are replaceable for longer wear
- Ideal for multiple cats
- Uses sisal and natural materials
To Consider:
- Assembly required
- High price-point
Best for Large Cats: Midwest Homes Giant Scratching Post
If you have a large adult cat, you’ll need tall and sturdy cat scratching posts that can endure your cat’s weight, strength, and height. The Midwest Homes Giant Scratching Post fits the bill. Coming in at 41″ tall, it is one of the largest single posts available. This scratching post features natural sisal fibers and a wide and sturdy base. It comes with a one-year guarantee.
| Height | Base |
| 41″ | 19″x19″ |
Key Features:
- Giant size but suitable for smaller cats as well
- Uses extra durable natural sisal fiber
- Features a sturdy base, ideal for larger cats
- Comes with a one-year guarantee
To Consider:
- Some assembly required
Best for Nails: PetFusion Flip Pad
One of the major benefits of a scratching pad is that it helps your cat to naturally take care of their nails. This horizontal scratcher offers an engaging experience for cats who prefer scratching at ground level. Its orientation also helps cats to dig. This model features a sturdy, flat surface that can withstand rigorous use, while also doubling as a cozy lounging spot.
PetFusion emphasizes quality materials, which include eco-friendly, recycled, and recyclable corrugated cardboard. This design also comes with catnip to encourage play and engagement.
| Length | Width | Height |
| 19.7″ | 10.2″ | 3.3″ |
Key Features:
- Eco-friendly, recycled, and recyclable corrugated cardboard
- Comes with catnip
- Curved design encourages active scratching and nail maintenance
- Budget-friendly
To Consider:
- Does not offer some scratching post features, such as perching, climbing, or vertical stretching
Best Like Carpet: Frisco Real Carpet Wooden Cat Tree & Condo
Carpet is a traditional surface for cat scratching posts and typically holds up better than fleece or softer materials like faux fur. It’s more plush than sisal, which can be appealing for cats who gravitate toward soft things like blankets and stuffed toys.
Chewy’s in-house brand Frisco is known for its reliable basics, and this cat condo fits the bill. Solid wood posts are covered in household-grade carpet, making for a durable pick.
| Height | Width | Depth |
| 64″ | 24″ | 24″ |
Key Features:
- Made with solid wood, real carpet, sisal rope
- Big enough for multiple cats
- Includes posts, perches, and hiding spaces
To Consider:
- This post takes up a large footprint
- Assembly required
- Some cats may not differentiate between carpeted material for scratching and off-limit carpets
Do Scratching Posts Really Work?
All of our experts agree: cat scratching posts enrich cats’ environments and lives. They meet many of your cat’s instinctual needs, including scratching (nail care), clawing (hunting), stretching (stress relief), and climbing (exercise).
Cats need a variety of environments where they can perform their natural behaviors, and when cat scratching posts combine features like perches, beds, and hiding spaces, even indoor cats can benefit from this variety.
If you find that your cat is not gravitating to their scratching post, Nagelschneider recommends trying catnip or a catnip spray. You can also try rewarding your cat verbally or with pets and treats when they use their post. Cats will likely quickly associate their post with the naturally rewarding experience of clawing and scratching.
