The Best Cat Scratching Posts, Pads, and Everything in Between

Cat scratchers come in all shapes and sizes, but experts agree that height is the most important feature to consider. “The best example of a good cat scratcher would be a tree,” Dr. Iovino says. “It’s tall enough to allow cats to stretch their full bodies. It’s heavy, sturdy, and won’t move while cats forcefully scratch to sharpen their nails and mark their territory. Lastly, it has a rough texture helping to remove the outer portions of the nail to help them sharpen.” —Avery Felman

If you’ve ever wondered why your cat can’t get enough of your wicker chair or cool woven lampshade, you’ve just encountered a new level of shredding behavior. Although it seems to be a universally beloved texture, “specific materials for cat scratchers will usually depend on a cat’s own preference,” Dr. Iovino suggests. “It seems most cats will gravitate towards carpeting but not the fluffier kind, necessarily.” —AF

Perhaps you have a cat on your hands who just can’t seem to get with the concept of scratching their designated post over your poor piling sofa. Have no fear: Dr. Iovino has a suggestion that could just be the game changer your cat needs to reprogram their internal clock. “It’s been known that cats will scratch after a nap, and so having that scratching post near an area they sleep the most can be helpful to create a good habit of where to scratch,” he says. “Once you feel like you’ve been able to get a cat to use the scratching post frequently, then you can slowly start to move it around to a more desired area if needed.” —Elizabeth Laura Nelson

Sure, it’s on the pricey side, but this is a cat scratch post that will last. It’s tall enough to let your cat stretch out their whole body, and the wide base means it won’t tip over when they do. Tightly-woven sisal is tough enough to stand up to years of scratching, and it provides a satisfying surface to dig into. —ELN

This sisal scratcher comes with a friendlier price tag and gets rave reviews from buyers. It’s quick to put together, comes with a couple of bonus balls for your cat to bat around, and is a neutral color that will go with many different styles of decor. —ELN

Do you (or your cat) prefer carpet to sisal? This sturdy, 30-inch scratching pole comes in four colorways and gives your cat something soft to scratch up — instead of your sofa. “He doesn’t even given furniture a second glance. This real carpet post is the best,” one reviewer wrote. —ELN

This carpeted cat scratch post has a fun bonus feature for your kitty: A base with a ball in it, so they can play hide-and-seek. Let your little hunter satisfy their prey drive and then sink their claws into the carpeted pole to their heart’s desire. —ELN

This carpeted post is a little smaller than some of the others on this list, making it perfect for smaller cats or kittens. Customers report that it wears well, though this one may not last as long as some at higher price points. For the price, though, it’s a good one to try if you want to find out whether your cat prefers carpet (and some really do). —ELN

“If your cat likes natural wood, this cedar post by Shoo-Kitty comes up to 48 inches high and is also nice to look at,” Quandt says, pointing out that it also has a large, sturdy base. —ELN

This wooden cat scratcher doesn’t just look like a sturdy tree branch — it is one. Made from a real tree, it’s topped with a wicker basket and a super-soft, fuzzy, faux-fur cushion. It comes with a hanging pom-pom for your cat to bat around, a second spot to perch, and a sisal-wrapped section perfect for sinking claws into. All the parts are replaceable, as well, so it’ll last for years. This cat tree makes me feel a little less guilty about keeping my cats indoors, staring out at the trees. —ELN

This rustic-looking cedar post is is a no-frills option that your cat may love — especially if you use the included training booklet with suggestions for how to get them interested. There’s a little “mouse hole” at the top and a string toy to play with. Reviewers said this has been a lifesaver for their wooden furniture. —ELN

This sturdy cat tree has a variety of built-in scratching surfaces, but that’s just one reason Quandt recommends it. Beyond the multiple scratching opportunities, it’s sturdy: A pressure plate presses into your ceiling to keep it in place, so cats can’t knock it over. (The mechanics of this are similar to a tension rod that holds up a curtain.) “It’s low-profile, lightweight, and not bulking like many trees are,” Quandt says. —ELN

This vertical cat scratching post features three spots to perch, sisal-wrapped sections for scratching, and is adjustable — so you can make it work for your particular cat. Some customers said it didn't work for their bigger cats, and others said it was a little wobbly, but many people (and their cats!) are big fans.

“This goes so well in our living room, and my cat has never loved scratching something so much,” one reviewer wrote. The Tuft + Paw customer service team is responsive, and will reach out with tips or offer a refund within 30 days if it doesn’t turn out to be a fit for your cat. —ELN

“This post has built-in toys to spark extra interest,” Quandt says, and while this is true of many vertical scratchers, this one also comes with good reviews and a reasonable price point. Wrapped with woven sisal and featuring a feather and a ball for your cat to play with, it’s simple to put together and has a spot on the top where you cat can perch. —ELN

This cardboard scratcher set isn’t a post, but rather two stylish-looking loungers that your cat can use in multiple ways. While they’re made of cardboard, they’re not flimsy; they’re made of high-density cardboard (and non-toxic glue, naturally) that will hold up to a good amount of clawing. Sprinkle them with catnip to encourage your cat to play, and flip them over when one side gets worn out.

“These are terrific. My adult cats vie to sit on the contoured surface, and my foster kittens crawl through over and around the tunnels,” one reviewer wrote, adding that they’re sturdy and long-lasting, with plenty of spots to scratch. —ELN

If there’s one thing cats love, it’s a box. How many times have you unpacked your latest shipment of food or litter only to find your cat curled up in the box before you can flatten it for recycling?

This horizontal scratcher functions as both a spot to sit and a place to exercise their claws — and chances are good that it costs less than a case of canned food. It comes in an array of fun patterns, from daisies to constellations, and gets great customer reviews. –ELN

“This corrugated cardboard scratcher by Fukumaro is a combination horizontal and vertical scratcher,” Quandt says. “It’s nice to look at and durable.” He suggests putting it against a wall so it won’t tip over, and combining it with catnip, which pairs well with corrugated scratchers because it can get inside the textured pattern where it'll drive your cat wild — in a good way. -ELN

This cat condo has everything: places to scratch, play, and sleep. Covered in sisal, it’s got a washable plush bed on top, toys dangling from the cubbyhole entrances, and a wide, heavy base so it won’t tip over. At three feet tall, it gives your cat plenty of room to stretch out and scratch — and if you have more than one cat, they can play hide-and-seek in between scratching sessions. —ELN

This affordable scratch ramp is great for cats who like to stretch out at an angle and climb around on their scratcher. Put it near your cat's favorite furniture to redirect them toward the scratcher, which will be even more fun if you sprinkle a little catnip on it. Durable sisal fibers will hold up to whatever your cat can dish out, and their little shoulders will get a good workout with this scratcher, too. -ELN

This is the scratcher-hammock combo I got for my cat when she first came home from the shelter. She loved it for years, and when we added two more little guys to our cat family, I got another one just like it.

It’s a favorite napping spot, and also has two sisal poles to scratch, as well as a dangling ball to bat around (and eventually tear off, if your cat is anything like mine). It’s on the smaller side, so an adult cat may use it less as a scratcher and more as a bed, but it's affordable and cute. —ELN

Is it a scratching post, or is it art? This curvy white cat scratch post functions as both, honestly. If you’re a fan of modern décor, you’ll likely be a fan of this rattan scratcher, which can grow along with your cat. It’s modular, so you can detach and swap out sections to make it shorter or taller. Plus, rattan won’t shed like carpet can. —ELN

“Does your cat like to scratch your wicker furniture?” Quandt asks. “If yes, then the Calypso may be for you (or for them!).” The neutral faux rattan and stylish shape of this scratcher make a good-looking addition to any room, the material won’t shred (so you won't find pieces of it under your feet), and the weighted base helps keep it upright. —ELN

Quandt likes this cat tower for a few reasons: the numerous built-in scratching surfaces that are removable, washable, and replaceable; the cat condo at the bottom; and the fact that it comes in four different oak veneer finishes. “While fairly expensive, it’s quite beautiful,” he says. “This tree is a great long-term solution.” —ELN