The 11 Best Cat Scratching Posts of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

SmartCat The Ultimate Scratching Post

4.5

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Your cat will enjoy this incredibly sturdy scratching post, and you'll appreciate the simple design which our tester described as strong, simple, neutral, and easy on the eyes.

"This scratcher was strong, sturdy and functional," our tester said.

Another tester already has had a SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post for years, and his two cats still use it daily. It's large enough to stay permanently in one place like a small piece of furniture, but light enough that it's easy enough to move around—one of our testers moved it to block whichever couch leg his cats were targeting that week.

The top of the Ultimate Scratching Post is 7-inches square, which is the perfect size for placing snacks. Smaller cats even enjoy climbing to the top and sitting on it, and the SmartCat post is sturdy enough to stay stable throughout. SmartCat even offers a Post Perch Pad for exactly this purpose.

The post is 32-inches tall, so cats can stretch themselves out and claw away at the fibrous, durable sisal covering. It's also stable, with a base 16-inch square base that keeps the post steady and prevents it from sliding across the floor or toppling. You’ll have to do a little assembly when it first arrives—inserting dowels into holes and attaching the base to the scratch post—but no power tools are required. 

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 32.5 inches | Weight: 16.9 pounds}

Best for Kittens

Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy with Catnip

5

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Kittens can be an adorable force of destruction in your home. As they become familiar with their space, everything, from headphone cords to yesterday's mail, becomes a toy. To help save your possessions from destruction, this 2-in-1 cat scratching toy from Frisco features a rolling ball around the perimeter and a corrugated cardboard scratching center.

"I love the playful yet simple design of this scratcher. It is also a great size—doesn't take up too much space," our tester said. "It's easy to relocate throughout the house and heavy enough that it doesn't shift around when my cat interacts with it."

Kittens can scratch away at the corrugated cardboard surface, and also play with the ball-and-track toy. The combo will encourage kittens to interact with this scratcher toy, instead of clawing at furniture or looking for toys elsewhere, like your bedside table or bathroom trash can.

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Dimensions: 15 x 2 inches | Weight: Not provided}

Best Cardboard

PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge

4.5

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Cardboard scratchers use densely layered corrugated paper product instead of sisal twine or other materials. Our favorite cardboard scratcher is the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge, which has a unique shape that gives your cat lots of ways of interacting with it. While cats tend to love cardboard scratchers because they're soft and easy to scratch (they're also excellent at retaining catnip), they tend to have a shorter lifespan than other scratcher types.

The PetFusion is larger than most cardboard scratchers, with a 34-inch length that's more than long enough for your cat to lie on top of it. This makes it a great reclining scratcher for fully grown cats. It also has curves and a big "peekaboo" hole through the center, which will attract interaction between multiple cats. Our tester's cat took to it instantly.

"This scratcher lounger does everything it promises—providing ample surface area for scratching and offers a comfortable lounging option at the same time," they said. "While I was hesitant about its large size at first, I am now sold on this product. She loves it so much!"

Keep in mind also that cardboard scratchers tend to "shed" as your cat rips into it. Expect to bust out a vacuum every once in a while to clean up around the scratcher.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: 34 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 10 pounds}

Best Budget

Way Basics Premium Cat Scratcher Incline Wedge

5

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Physically your cat will lean on this cat scratcher, and mentally you will lean on it to keep your kitty's claws away from your furniture. Our tester has two cats of different ages in their home and found that both enjoyed running their claws along the slope. "It makes me happy to see them enjoying and using it all the time. They even relax and nap on it, that's how much they like it."

The ergonomic shape of this scratching post is appealing to cats, and also reduces the footprint of the toy in your home. It comes in four different shades, White, Black, Espresso, and Gray, so you can select the color that best suits your space, or matches your feline friend. It's also made with recycled cardboard and is non-toxic.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Dimensions: 17.3 x 7.7 x 10.6 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds}

Best Variety

SmartyKat Scratch Scroll Cat Scratcher with Feather Toy

5

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If your cat enjoys weaving through and clawing at your drapes, carpets, walls, and furniture, then this cat post will appeal to them. "My cat took to this toy right away," our tester said.

This scratching post's wavy design is meant to attract your cat, providing spaces for crawling, crouching, and lounging while they claw at the surface. A combination of sisal and carpeted scratching surfaces will help to satiate your cat’s instinctual desire to scratch.

Our tester was impressed with the quality of the scratching surface and found the snap-on feather toy feature to be a highly appealing addition for their cat. It's small, light, and comes assembled, so your cat can start scratching and your furnishings can breathe a sigh of relief!

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Dimensions: 18.5 x 11.42 x 7.09 inches | Weight: 2.65 pounds}

Best Tower

PETMAKER Cat Scratching Post With Toys

4.5

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With 3 scratching posts, 3 dangling toys, a carpeted base, and a perch at the top, if your cat likes to play then this is the cat scratching post for you. Our tester found that no matter where they placed it in their home, their cat was drawn to it. "This scratching post will keep your cat quietly entertained for hours."

The wide base keeps the structure in place while your cat gets their fix on a mix of sisal rope and carpet. With a variety of surfaces and points of intrigue, it can also work in a home with multiple cats. Our tester didn't think the scratching post (which only comes in one color) blended in with their decor, but it was an excellent way to redirect their cat's clawing, which will ultimately keep their furnishings intact.

Price at time of publish: $52

_{Dimensions: 15.75 x 15.75 x 19.25 inches | Weight: 9.45 pounds}

Best Hiding Place

PAWMONA 3 Story Cat Tree Condo Barrel Tower

5

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If your cat likes to play peek-a-boo, then this cat condo with cat scratching surfaces is the perfect addition to your space. The tower features three internal levels, each with a window, and a cushioned pillow at the top for perching.

"I have nothing negative to say about this cat tree," our tester said. "The fuzzy balls hanging from each circular opening are a nice touch, as well as the hole openings between the levels for cat climbing. The height is nice too for the cat to be able to reach a higher window or bed that they couldn't reach without it."

While it's priced higher than other cat scratching posts on our list, the neutral streamlined design and the variety of engagement points it offers a cat make it well worth the investment. "If you're looking for a place for your cat to climb, play, and rest all in one look no further." We recommend putting it near a window so your cat can feel the sunlight while scratching and then perch themselves on top to admire their domain.

Price at time of publish: $180

_{Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 38.5 inches | Weight: 22 pounds}

Best Wall Mount

7 Ruby Road Mounted Cat Scratching Post

4.8

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If your cat likes to stretch out when they are in the mood for scratching, then this sleek, wall-mountable option is for you. Our tester found the design and versatility to be superior. "This is the most aesthetically pleasing, low-profile scratch post I have ever tried! I love that you have the option to lay it down on the ground or mount it on the wall."

It takes up minimal space in a home (our tester put it in a hallway!), and if you do choose to mount it on the wall, you can easily adjust the height to accommodate the length of your cat. Once you start to notice the scratching surface is wearing out, simply flip it over and your cat has a relatively new surface to sink their claws into.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Dimensions: 22 x 5.7 inches | Weight: 0.2 pounds}

Best for Older Cats

SmartyKat Multi-Surface Cat Scratcher

4.5

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Your elder cat can lounge while they polish up their manicure with this angled scratcher. No need for the extra frills that a younger cat might find irresistible, this straightforward cat toy will indulge their urge to scratch, stretch, and relax. Our tester noted that the arc is a great shape for cats to lay out on top of, but a larger cat is a tight squeeze underneath. It's an affordable scratching post that's easy to move around, so if your cat likes to follow you into different rooms then this scratching post is a great solution for keeping their idle claws busy and off your sofa.

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 8 inches | Weight: 1.41 Pounds}

Best Novelty

PetnPurr Cactus Cat Scratcher

4.8

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It's not a mirage! This cactus-shaped scratching post, made with natural sisal and resting on a soft but sturdy base, will intrigue your cat while bringing a delightful dose of amusement to your space. "This toy is cute for a cat without catching too much attention," remarked our tester, but most importantly their cat took to it quickly. "I put this product in the living room and he is not clawing furniture."

The fanciful design also features a playful dangling toy ball that your cat can whack with all their might. Despite our tester's cat's best efforts it has remained attached, "my cat tends to rip those off immediately and hasn't been able to yet."

While the PetnPurr Cactus Cat Scratcher held up well throughout our testing, the wrapped sisal rope doesn't seem like it will hold up as well over time as some of our other sisal picks, such as our overall favorite from SmartCat.

While a vibrant green addition to space might not be for everyone (or every cat!), our tester was very impressed with the sturdy nature and durability of this cat scratching post. We tested the smaller size (25.6 inches) but a larger cat might be might prefer the larger, 40-inch version. It's easy to assemble, more low maintenance than a real cactus, and it won't poke back!

Price at time of publish: $36

_{Dimensions: 15.7 x 15.7 x 26.5 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds}