Best Cat Scratching Posts
A thoroughly researched review & guide on the top scratching posts for cats
Cat scratching posts, pads, trees and towers are an absolute must for pet owners, as they not only provide a safe and soothing outlet for your cat’s instinctive behavior, but also save your helpless furniture in the process.
There are a wide variety of styles, colors and shapes to choose from, and it can be a bit overwhelming to decide which one to go with.
So our experts at Cat World put together this list of the top 7 cat scratching posts ever! (Well, at least the ones on the market today.) And all of them are very affordable…sure beats replacing your living room couch huh?TOP PICK
PAWABOO Cat Scratcher Lounge Pad
The Modern Cardboard Scratching Post
This incredible product combines a scratcher and a lounge, making it much more functional than your typical scratching post. It’s made of durable corrugated cardboard, which cats just love, and features a hole on either side so your furry pal can climb in and out.
It can stand up to even the most aggressive scratching, which makes it a better option than most of the other products on the market today. You may not be able to get your cat out of this one!
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New Cat Condos Premier Carpeted Cat Scratch Post Stairs
Don’t let the simple design fool you. This great product is made of solid wood covered in plush carpet just like you’d find in your living room.
It comes fully assembled and can accommodate over 150 lbs., so a house full of cats can play on it at the same time. It’s manufactured in the United States, and comes in five different colors: green, gray, beige, brown or blue.
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Pioneer Pet SmartCat The Ultimate Scratching Post
This isn’t your grandma’s cat scratching post! This attractive tower looks like a piece of furniture and features durable sisal that your cat will just love to scratch.
It’s an impressive 32” high so even an adult cat can get a full vertical stretch, and with its sturdy wood base it won’t tip over or wobble.
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MidWest Cat Furniture Durable, Stylish Cat Scratching Post
From a reputable company that provides a wide variety of cat scratching products, this post is smartly designed to encourage healthy scratching habits.
It’s very easy to assemble and features soft, dark brown faux fur and a sisal-wrapped scratching area. At 41” high it’s taller than most cat scratching posts on the market today, and its durable base is easy to clean.
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Cat Activity Tree Sisal Cat Scratching Post
With its three scratching posts, hanging balls and resting surface on top, the Cat Activity Tree is one of the most unique cat scratching products we have come across.
Ready to use right out of the box and compact in size, it’s the perfect item for scratching, play and a little afternoon snooze when kitty is tired out.
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Molly and Friends Bed on Top of a 27” Sisal Wrapped Cat Scratching Post
The name is certainly a mouthful but this combination of a cat scratching post and bed is a product that your feline will just love.
It’s made of solid pine wood with durable sisal rope, so your cat can scratch and play to his heart’s content without doing any damage. With its 33” post and large comfortable bed, all cats big and small can enjoy all it has to offer.
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Sofa-Scratcher Squared Scratching Post For Cats
This one is bit different than the other cat scratching posts on our list, in that it is actually for your furniture rather than a stand alone product.
This neat little item is a furniture protector that you place on the corner of your favorite couch, protecting it from scratching damage. With a wide variety of colors available, there’s something to match any home decor.
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Benefits Of A Cat Scratching Post
As you may know, cat scratching is a not a sign of aggression or any other behavioral issue. Your cat is not purposely trying to ruin your living room furniture. Rather, it’s a natural, instinctive behavior that most cats exhibit, and it’s perfectly normal.
You’re probably aware of the first of the three reasons why cats scratch, and that is to stretch out their bodies and flex their extremities…kind of like we all do in the morning when we first wake up. It just feels good.
But they also do it for two other important reasons: to mark their territory like other animals do, and to remove the dead outer layer of their claws. That’s something most pet owners are not aware of.
A cat scratching post allows them to scratch away freely without being yelled at or shooed away for ruining couches, chairs or other household furniture.
The more elaborate scratching trees, towers and lounges give them a place to play and rest as well, so they are occupied in a safe and comfortable environment that they enjoy.
So a basic cat scratching post, or one of the multi-functional scratching products benefit both you and your cat in many ways.
Your cat can scratch on something that is just for him, and his feline playmates, and not something that is off limits. He can stretch out, mark his territory and shed claw layers any time he feels the need to.
You of course benefit as well, as you have the peace of mind knowing your cat is satisfying his instinctual need to scratch. Also, you no longer have to worry about your favorite couch being ripped to shreds, which is a real bonus. I’ve had to reupholster many couches in my day, and let me tell you it’s certainly not cheap!
So it’s a win win for all involved, making a cat scratching post or other product one of the smartest things you can buy for your home. You’ll reap the benefits the moment you take it out of the box.
How To Choose The Best Scratching Post
Not all cat scratching posts are created equal, which is why we narrowed down our list to the best seven on the market today. You need to make sure you buy something that is built to last and also something that your cat will enjoy.
For starters, take note of the construction of any cat scratching post or other product that you are considering. What is it made of? How is it designed? Does it incorporate materials conducive to cat scratching and ones that won’t harm your cat in any way?
Also consider your cat’s needs. Will a simple cat scratching post do the trick or might be better served with one of the towers or trees with different levels and areas to explore? Perhaps it would make sense to buy the steps so your cat can get up on the bed easier, or the lounge so your cats can hang out together when they need a rest.
Another consideration is cost. You don’t want to get anything super cheap as it may not last, but make sure whatever you are considering is within your budget. We’ve chosen scratching posts that are relatively affordable so these are definitely a good starting point for you.
One of the great ways to decide whether or not you should buy any product is to read through customer reviews. See what other cat owners have to say about these cat scratching products.
There are often pictures and even videos accompanying these reviews, so you can take a good look at the products and really see what you are getting.
Although there are always going to be some complaints, if the reviews are mostly positive and customers seem to be very pleased overall, then you will likely be happy as well.
So take all of this into account when shopping for a cat scratching post, tree, lounge or other product for your pet. It will definitely help you make a more informed purchasing decision.
Jackie Johnston is the founder of Cat Word – a community of cat enthusiasts with a mission to spread as much knowledge as they can throughout the world on every aspect of raising and nurturing cats! In her spare time, Jackie loves reading and spending time with her two sons Logan and Christopher, and of course with their furry felines Simba and Max.
