The Best Scratching Posts
Whether they’re indoors or outdoors, cats are born scratchers. They have a compulsive need to dig their claws into things, partly as a way to keep their claws trimmed and healthy. If you have an indoor cat and want to keep them from scratching up your carpet or furniture, having scratching posts around the house can give them an outlet for their scratching needs. We’ve put together a list of the best scratching posts available online so that you keep your sofa in good shape and give your cats a space to call their own.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best cat scratching posts, we considered size, design, additional features, and price. For example, if you want a sturdy scratching post that’s tall enough even for the biggest cats, the Amazon Basics premium tall cat scratching post is one of the best ones out there. If you want something a little more affordable, the Trixie scratching post has plenty to offer at a lower price than most competitors. Read on to see all our top picks and find the scratching post that’s right for you and your furry friend.
Amazon Basics Premium Tall Cat Scratching Post
Up, up and away
When it comes to scratching posts, sometimes less is more. If you’re looking for a practical post that won’t give your cat sensory overload with frivolous add-ons, it doesn’t get much better than this. This scratching post comes with just one large post in the center and one hanging toy. It gives your cat plenty to play with without being overwhelming. Best of all, this post is very durable and heavy-duty, so it should hold up to scratching even from bigger cats.
Pros:
- Tall height for bigger cats to stretch out and scratch
- Comes with a removable toy
- The center pillar is large and sturdy
- Features natural jute fiber
Cons:
- Screws in the base may scratch hardwood floors
Pawz Road Cactus Cat Scratching Post
The great outdoors
If the standard cat scratching posts are a little too dull for you and your furry friend, this cactus-themed post from Paws Road may be just what you need to spice up your living space. This unique-looking post comes with three individual scratching poles and a hanging ball toy to keep your kitties entertained. The carpet material is great for giving your cats a soft texture to dig into, while the sisal is great for scratching and shredding. No matter how your cats use it, you can get the beauty of the American Southwest in your home with this cactus scratcher.
Pros:
- Comes in two different size options
- Adds a unique aesthetic to your home
- Covered in both carpet and sisal
Cons:
- Some posts may be too low to the ground for cats to enjoy scratching them
Amazon Basics Cat Scratching Post with Toy
Three is better than one
If you have multiple cats at home, one scratching post may not be enough. If you’re looking to keep several cats from scratching your furniture but you don’t want to buy three different scratching posts, this versatile scratching post from Amazon Basics does the job of three in one. It has three scratching posts of various heights connected to one base, giving up to three cats their own space to scratch. Best of all, it saves on floor space compared to buying three different posts. For frugal-minded cat owners or households with limited space, this bargain is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Comes in two different colors
- All three posts are in the same color scheme
- Comes with an additional hanging toy
- The price is very affordable for three posts
Cons:
- Sisal may shred easier than other competitors
7 Ruby Road Wall-Mounted Cat Scratching Post
Hang it up
If you don’t feel like buying a scratching post that will take up precious floor space, why not eliminate the floor space entirely? This versatile hanging scratching post can be mounted on the wall to leave your floors with room to spare and give your cat a place to scratch in peace. You can mount it at your cat’s height, and once it’s mounted, it won’t wobble or tip over like some floor-scratching posts. Of course, should you decide you do want something on the floor, you can always take it off the wall and leave it on the floor for your kitties to scratch.
Pros:
- Can hang at whatever height you want
- Made with natural materials
- Comes with anti-slip feet
Cons:
- It’s on the pricey side
Trixie Scratching Post
Don't break the bank
It can be hard to find decent cat products at a good price, but with this scratching post from Trixie, you get even more than what you pay for. This affordable scratching post comes with most of the same features that competitors have but only costs half as much. It may be a bare-bones choice, but what it lacks in flair, it makes up for in practicality. Your cat won’t be offended at the price, so feel free to leave more in your wallet and get them a scratching post you can enjoy guilt-free.
Pros:
- Comes in three different colors and sizes
- The base is plush, so your kitty can comfortably lie on it
Cons:
- It doesn’t have any toy add-ons
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cats need to scratch things?
There are many possible reasons why cats feel the need to scratch things. They do it when they’re feeling stressed or excited, they mark objects with their scent due to the scent glands under their nails, and they also do it as a way of trimming off the dead parts of their claws, like how humans trim their nails. It will always be a mystery, but these observations can help us understand cats a little bit better.
Why do cats like to scratch sisal material?
To give a simple answer, sisal feels good for cats to scratch. Sisal tends to shred apart as the cat’s claws slide through the material, so it leaves a visible mark of their territory. It also becomes softer as it is scratched, which encourages the cats to use it more and more.
About the Author
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