The Best Cat Scratchers
There are two types of cat scratchers in this world: the one you choose for your cat, and the one the cat chooses in spite of you. The one the cat chooses can include your couch, your rug, your favorite purse, the side of your leg, or that priceless Picasso you inherited from Aunt Penelope. That's why it's critical that the cat scratcher you choose is the one your cat uses. Cats are going to scratch — there are no two ways around it. They scratch to clean and sharpen their claws, exercise their muscles, and mark their territory. Finding the right object for this activity is critical for your cat's happiness as well as yours.
What to Look For
Cat scratchers are as varied as a cat’s breed and personality, so finding the exact match for your pet can take a little trial and error. To help you out, we’ve whittled down the options to the best of the best, based on key features like design, durability, value. Our favorite is the Coching Cat Scratcher, which boasts durable cardboard corrugation and a gently curved body that any feline will love. For a more affordable option, we recommend Kitty City’s XL Cat Scratchers, which come in a pack of three. Read on to discover all of our top picks and to find one that’s right for you and your furry friend.
Coching Cat Scratcher
The cat's meow
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable cat scratcher — or you’ve never tried a cat scratcher before — the Coching Cat Scratcher is an excellent place to start. The durable, 100% recycled cardboard material is designed to mimic tree bark, making it not only irresistible to cats but 50% stronger than comparable products. All materials used are non-toxic, including the cornstarch-based glue, so you know it’s safe for your beloved pet. Better yet, the minimalist design suits every type of home decor, and when your cat is finished destroying one side, you can simply flip it over and let her start again. At just under 16 inches long, it’s the perfect size for small and medium-sized cats.
Pros:
- Pet parents who have multiple cats of different breeds will love the fact that this scratcher comes in four different sizes and colors.
- The gentle curvature of the scratcher makes for a really comfortable napping surface.
- The cardboard is recycled but also safe and non-toxic, which assuages both the environmentalist and health nut in us.
Cons:
- While a nice addition, the decorative siding seems to tear off easily.
Kitty City XL Corrugated Scratcher
For full-sized felines
If you own a Maine Coon, perhaps you’re going to need a refrigerator box for a cat scratcher. But for all the other jumbo-sized cats, the Kitty City XL Corrugated Scratcher is right on the money. It’s not only 18 inches long, but at 10 inches wide, it’s broader than most of the competitors in the market. Featuring all-recycled heavy-duty cardboard and a reinforced encasement, it’s also strong enough for those big strong claws. A high-value buy, this one comes in a 3-pack for what you typically pay for just one.
Pros:
- Thanks to the 3-pack, you’ll always have a replacement scratcher around the house.
- We like that the scratcher comes in a cardboard case, which seems to protect it from rubbing against the floor or furniture.
- Though it can be tricky to figure out, the cardboard scratcher is reversible.
Cons:
- It appears that the corrugation in these scratchers isn’t as dense as other options.
PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounger
A scratch made in heaven
Basically, cats do three things all day: eat, sleep, and scratch. The folks at PetFusion got wise and combined two of these activities to create their Ultimate Cat Scratch Lounger. With a curved shape that looks like it was inspired by a ’70s science fiction movie, this lounge is a beloved nap spot for cats. And, at 34 inches long, it’s great for owners who have multiple cats who like to sleep together. The lounge is fully reversible and encourages play thanks to the open ends and varied surfaces. Another durable option, the PetFusion Ultimate Scratcher is stitched together piece by piece for stability and strength.
Pros:
- We love the contemporary design of this scratcher, plus the fact that it comes in three neutral colors.
- These scratchers work well on the floor, but you can also mount them on the wall as shelves, which is super cool.
- These fit nicely on bay area window sills.
Cons:
- They tend to slide around a lot on the floor, so you may want to put them on a non-slip surface.
PetFusion Vertical Cat Scratching Post
Scratch that
Some cats prefer to stand up on their hind legs and scratch away. For these cats, their victims typically end up being walls, screen doors, and couches. Fortunately, PetFusion has the perfect solution: the 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post. Shaped like a triangle with curved sides, the post stands a whopping two feet tall, allowing cats to stretch out and scratch to their heart’s content. With reinforced cardboard mesh on all three sides, you can continually rotate the structure to provide fresh scratching material, while smaller cats will love to play or even sleep in the wide middle section of the post. Another fantastic overall option, the PetFusion Vertical Cat scratching post is designed to save your furniture.
Pros:
- This is another scratcher with a really interesting design, making it great for contemporary homes.
- We like that we can orient it either horizontally or vertically.
- Cats seem to love hanging out inside the scratcher as much as they love scratching it.
Cons:
- It would be even better if all sides were corrugated.
Furhaven Pet Busy Box Toy Scratcher
Just kitten around
If you’ve watched a cat tear apart a stuffed toy, you know that scratching is about play as well. Furhaven Pet knows this too and has designed a series of cat toys that act as scratchers at the same time. Our favorite is the rectangular Busy Box. As the name suggests, it’s a rectangle-shaped box with corrugated scratching material on top, ringed by holes that have two jingle balls inside. When not scratching away on the outside, your cat will go nuts batting the balls around the grooves, providing hours of play. Furhaven Pet features 15 other designs as well, so you know there’s one your cat will fall in love with.
Pros:
- We like how the woodgrain surface gives it a classy appearance.
- It seems pretty durable, with cardboard grooves for added stability.
Cons:
- Though the puzzle game should be fun for your feline, this has a smaller scratchable surface area than other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
I really want my cat to use a scratcher instead of my couch but he won’t. How do I get him to use one?
Cats are people, too, as the saying goes, so it’s really hard to know what your cat will or won’t do until he tries it. Some owners have to go through a few different shapes, sizes, and designs until they find the scratcher their cat prefers. It’s a good idea to add a little catnip to the scratcher to see if that will stir some interest. Otherwise, just remember that your cat needs to scratch, so he’ll have to find something acceptable to both of you eventually.
I love my cat scratcher but I hate all those little pieces of cardboard that get on the floor. Is there anything I can do about that?
Those little pieces of cardboard are inevitable with these scratchers. The good news is that they’re super easy to clean up with a vacuum. And because they’re fully biodegradable, you don’t have to worry about their effect on the environment. Otherwise, just try to find comfort in the fact that it could be pieces of your couch littering the floor instead of pieces of cardboard.
About the Author
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