One of the best ways to keep your cat from scratching up your furniture is to give them their own. A cat scratching post can be a great toy for a cat to use to keep their claws conditioned without shredding your couch. They are often small and made from materials that your cat will find more interesting than your furniture such as the best cat scratching post or the best cat tower that comes with a built-in scratching post.
Many of these posts are made with toys for cats and some even come with a place for them to rest. You’ll also be able to choose colors and designs that work best to match the décor in your home. Overall, they’re a fantastic way to fulfill your cat’s needs.
Comparison Chart
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Best Cat Scratching Post Reviews
1. Animals Favorite Cat Scratching Post
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If you’re looking for something simple that won’t break the bank, this post is a fantastic option. It allows your cat a place to condition their claws that will keep them from clawing up your home or furniture. It also comes in a delightful pink color, excellent for girl kitties or matching your décor.
Product Highlights
Made with a natural sisal post and a soft carpet covering, this post is fantastic when you want to get a high level of value for your money. It not only gives your cat a place to sharpen their claws, but also a place to lay down or play due to the perch and pink ball toy included. That allows your cat to enjoy the post in three different ways, making it a lot of benefit in a small package.
What’s to like about the Animals Favorite Cat Scratching Post
This post has a great look and will be great if you have pink décor you want the post to match with, or just want to express the ideal color for your girl kitty. It’s also fantastic that it offers three different ways for your cat to enjoy the post. That way, you can still meet your cat’s needs even if you don’t have the money or space for a huge cat tree.
What’s not to like about the Animals Favorite Cat Scratching Post
The pink coloring isn’t ideal for those who have a male cat or don’t want to draw too much attention to the gender of their pet. It also may not go with all décor. Being a smaller, less expensive option it may not be ideal for bigger kitties as they may be able to knock it over too easily. If your cat is a larger breed then you may want to look for a more sturdy option.
PROS
- checkAesthetically pleasing
- checkOffers a place for your kitty to lie
- checkHelps to keep cats from clawing furniture
CONS
- May not be sturdy enough for heavier cats
- There may be options that are more durable
- Sisal wrapping can sometimes make a mess after a lot of use
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2. TRIXIE Parla Scratching Post
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If you want something with a natural appearance and don’t mind paying a little more, this post is a fantastic option. It has the look of an upright log, without the mess of real wood. It uses sisal and soft plush to allow your cats to play and scratch as they need.
Product Highlights
This three-sided post offers a place for your cats to scratch and play so they don’t turn their attention to things you don’t want them scratching up. It allows two sides for scratching and a plush side made with three holes and two ball toys for playing. This not only allows for multiple ways for your cat to enjoy the post, but also allows multiple cats to make use of it at the same time.
What’s to like about the TRIXIE Parla Scratching Post
The look of this post is unique. It’s not the typical sisal post on a hard base, which is great if you prefer décor with a natural look. It also allows multiple cats to enjoy it at once, which is great if you don’t want your kitties squabbling over who gets to use the post. Overall, it has a rather sturdy, high-quality appearance that both you and your cat will be sure to enjoy.
What’s not to like about the TRIXIE Parla Scratching Post
This tower might be a little more expensive than other options, so it may not be the ideal option if you’re hoping to stick to a tight budget. The brand has also had some problems with not sending the screws needed to put their towers together, so make sure to keep that in mind and do plenty of research prior to making a decision.
PROS
- checkHelps cats to learn what is okay to scratch and what isn’t
- checkIt may be larger and more sturdy than expected
- checkQuick and easy to put together
CONS
- Some customers receive the post with missing pieces
- In some cases, it can break off the base
- The light carpeting on the base might be less durable than expected
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3. Proffcenter at Scratching Post
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If you’re looking for a scratching post that doubles as a toy and can fit into a tighter budget, this is worth a look. It includes a scratching post as well as two play methods that can help to keep your cat’s attention. It’s also made to be eco-friendly!
Product Highlights
This post offers a sturdy base so that it won’t tip over. It also includes a series of balls within the base that can entertain your cat. There’s a ball on the top that can also draw in attention and keep your cat interested in the piece overall. If you add a little cat nip spray, it’s sure to be a toy your cat will love. It’s also made to be natural and eco-friendly so you don’t have to worry about any chemical-filled treatments on it.
What’s to like about the Proffcenter at Scratching Post
The variety of toys is excellent because it gives your cat multiple ways to enjoy the post. The more value that can be offered through a piece like this, the more pleased customers and their pets are likely to be. The natural, eco-friendly design is also great for those who want to keep chemicals away from their pets as much as possible.
What’s not to like about the Proffcenter at Scratching Post
In some cases, customers do find that this is smaller than they expected, so make sure you take a look at the measurements of the post prior to purchase. It may also arrive lacking a screw needed to put it together. If you can find another screw that will fit, then it may be worth keeping an extra around just in case. Otherwise, you should be able to contact the company to get one.
PROS
- checkCan draw your cat’s attention away from clawing furniture
- checkVery sturdy
- checkCats often love playing with the attached ball toy
CONS
- Some cats may not be as interested in this post
- It may be smaller than expected
- Sometimes pieces needed to put it together can be missing
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4. PEDY Cat Scratching Post
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This is a great looking post that comes at a lower cost than many other options. It’s the perfect toy when you want something smaller and less expensive that will give your cat something to enjoy in multiple ways that also looks great in your home.
Product Highlights
This post is easy to assemble, meaning your cat will be able to enjoy it in just a matter of minutes. It’s a compact, fantastic looking post that can keep your cat from damaging furniture. It’s made with durable sisal that cats love to use for conditioning their claws. It also includes a fantastic butterfly toy that your pet will surely love batting around.
What’s to like about the PEDY Cat Scratching Post
Those who like toys and cat furniture that stands out in a great way will love the design of this post. It can really help to brighten up your home as well as give your cat something that is appropriate for them to scratch and play with. It also includes a one year warranty that can give you an extra layer of confidence about your purchase.
What’s not to like about the PEDY Cat Scratching Post
The butterfly design isn’t going to be ideal for all customers, and it may not fit well into all households. It can also have a tendency to be small, which means larger kitties will be able to knock it over more easily. On much more rare occasions, customers have received the post without the butterfly included. Overall, it’s worthwhile to make sure the size and design of this post will work for you.
PROS
- checkGreat design
- checkCats often love the attached butterfly toy
- checkGoes well with décor
CONS
- The sisal rope may not be as thick as desired
- In some cases, the butterfly may be missing
- It may be smaller than expected
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5. Max and Marlow Sisal Scratch Post
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If you’re in the market for something simple and inexpensive, this is a great way to go. It’s a taller post that will allow your cats to stretch as they claw into it. It also includes a great toy that cats will surely love.
Product Highlights
This is a 26” post, which is taller than some other inexpensive options out there that might be too small for your cat. The texture of the sisal wrapping can help your cat with conditioning their nails and meeting the need to scratch without damaging your home or furniture. The included toy also allows them another way to enjoy the post so that you get the most for your money.
What’s to like about the Max and Marlow Sisal Scratch Post
This post focuses on being simple and high quality. It may not have a fancy design, but it’s well-built and made to fulfill your cat’s needs without a lot of added flair. It’s a nice, natural color that will blend in well with most décor without becoming an eyesore. It’s made to be easy to clean so you can quickly run a handheld vacuum over the base to get rid of excess fur.
What’s not to like about the Max and Marlow Sisal Scratch Post
While many have loved this scratch post, there have been a few issues with durability and stability. In some cases, cats that aren’t particularly large have been able to knock it over or cause it to wobble. In others, the post has fallen apart rather quickly. There have also been a handful of issues in which the correct screws weren’t provided to put the pieces together.
PROS
- checkHigh quality
- checkAssembly is quick and easy
- checkIt’s very sturdy
CONS
- In some cases it may not be as durable as expected
- Some cats may develop nail problems while using this post
- There can sometimes be problems getting the pieces to fit together
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BUYER’S GUIDE
Two highly important aspects of finding a great scratching post are stability and overall value. If you’re able to find something durable that entices your cat in multiple ways, then you’ll have hit the jackpot. Below, we’re going to take a look into what these two aspects really mean.
Key Feature 1: Stability
Stability means a number of things, but overall it’s what will ensure that your cat will be able to get plenty of use from the scratching post. To start with, you’ll want something made from higher quality materials. That way, you won’t have to worry about the post falling apart quickly.
It also means making sure that the post of your choosing has a sturdy base. This is going to be particularly important if you’re looking for a post that also has a level for your cat to lie on. With smaller scratch posts, it can be easy for a larger cat to knock it over.
It’s also going to be worthwhile to consider what kinds of materials are on the post. Some cat owners prefer not to get scratch posts that are made from the same kinds of materials as other things in their home. For example, some avoid carpet because they don’t want to teach their cat that scratching up carpet is okay. This is absolutely worth considering as you shop.
Key Feature 2: Value
It makes sense that you would want to get the greatest amount of value for your purchase. One of the best ways to do that is to purchase a scratching post that has multiple things to offer your cat. Aside from the scratch post itself, some will also offer attached toys for cats to play with. That alone can double the amount of value you’re getting for your money.
There are some posts that also come with a platform for cats to lie on. That allows your cat to have something to relax on as well as scratch. Considering how often cats like to take naps. That can create a lot of value as well.
If you can find something that offers a scratch post, toy and platform then you’ll be able to trust that item will appeal to your cat in multiple ways. It’s best to look for all three if you want to get the most potential value for the money you spend on the best cat scratcher.
Cat Scratching Post F.A.Q.
How can I train my cat to scratch the post and not my furniture?
It can take some time for cats to learn what’s okay to scratch and what isn’t. Buying a scratching post isn’t going to automatically ensure that your cat will leave your furniture alone, though it can help. Essentially, it gives them another option that might appeal more to their needs and won’t get them in trouble.
It’s worthwhile to try using cat nip or cat nip sprays to help attract your cat to the post. If they see it as a fun, enjoyable place to be then they will naturally want to claw the post and not see your furniture or carpet as being as interesting. If that doesn’t solve the problem, there are also calming sprays you can use or no-scratch sprays that you can spray on your furniture.
Why does my cat need to scratch things?
Scratching allows cats to keep their claws in good condition by helping to remove older outer layers on the claws. It’s in a cat’s nature to keep their claws fresh and sharp so that they will be prepared for hunting. While an indoor cat may be hunting toy mice rather than live ones, it doesn’t stop their instinctual need.
Cats will also like to scratch in multiple ways. Some prefer to reach up something, stretching vertically and raking their claws downward. Others prefer to do it horizontally. Every cat is going to be different, so it’s important to have scratching toys available for either need.
What kind of rope for cat scratching post?
The most common and widely known durable type of rope used for a scratching post is the Sisal rope. There are some that uses sisal fabric but still holds the same credibility and standards when it comes to comfort for cats but a rope is much more durable compared to a fabric. Make it a habit that when buying a scratch post for your cats, always check out what kind of rope for cat scratching post the brand is using.
How can I clean the scratching post?
This can depend on what you’re looking to accomplish. If you just want to get rid of excess hair that has been shed on the post then you can just rub it down with a damp washcloth. A fabric softener sheet can also help to pick up hairs.
If you want to disinfect it, make sure you use a pet-safe disinfectant to avoid causing your cat to accidentally ingest a poisonous substance. Also, make sure to allow it to dry completely before returning it to a place where your cat can reach it.
Will just one scratching post be enough?
Some cats will be appeased by a single scratcher, but it’s going to be more likely that having a variety of them will keep your cat more interested in the toys rather than things they aren’t allowed to claw up. Aside from just a scratching post, it can be a good idea to get a horizontal scratcher as well.
Something like a circular cardboard scratcher would be an easy, inexpensive option. There are also the best cat houses that double as beds that would pair nicely with a good scratching post. If you only want one scratching toy, you can also look for scratching posts that have sisal material on the base.
How can I clean the scratching post?
This can depend on what you’re looking to accomplish. If you just want to get rid of excess hair that has been shed on the post then you can just rub it down with a damp washcloth. A fabric softener sheet can also help to pick up hairs.
If you want to disinfect it, make sure you use a pet-safe disinfectant to avoid causing your cat to accidentally ingest a poisonous substance. Also, make sure to allow it to dry completely before returning it to a place where your cat can reach it.
Can’t I just get my cat declawed?
In the past, people have often turned to declawing their cat in order to keep them from scratching people or furniture. If you aren’t familiar with the concept, this essentially means removing the cat’s claws surgically.
This is not a recommended method of controlling scratching, and it can actually cause physical damage to your cat. The process is similar to having the last bone in your fingers removed. This can cause problems with nerves in their paws, the ability to walk and even infections.
If you want to keep your cat from scratching people or furniture, there are better ways. Trimming your cat’s claws regularly or purchasing nail caps can be great ways to handle the problem of clawing. They are much healthier for your cat, and can take just a couple of minutes every week or two.
FINAL VERDICT
The top choice for this article is the Animals Favorite Cat Scratching Post, simply because it offers the greatest amount of value. Not only does it give your cat a place to scratch, it also includes a toy and platform for the cat to enjoy the post in multiple ways. While the pink color may not be ideal for all cat owners, it may be possible to find the same style in more muted colors.
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Otherwise, the Max and Marlow post is a great, simple option that will surely be effective for most cats. It’s inexpensive, comes in a neutral color and keeps things easy and effective.
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