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. If you’ve got multiple cats or kittens, the Petmaker – Cat Scratcher Post is a great option because it’s made up of three sisal rope scratching posts and a woven carpeted top and a bottom for perching. There are also plenty of toys connected to the platform to entice cats to scratch and play. In the span of three months, we analyzed each scratcher in three categories: ease of assembly, durability, and design. We tested these scratchers with the help of six cat testers:

SmartCat Perch for The Ultimate Scratching Post, Color-RED SmartCat Perch for The Ultimate Scratching Post, Color-RED

Related: Here are some purrfect presents for a playful cat. The final word on the best cat scratching posts 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. Smart and caring cat owners don't declaw their cats, but they do Save their Furniture with a heavy duty, natural Sisal Scratch Post by Smart Cat which helps to tone their muscles, remove old nail sheaths from their claws, help relieve stress, frustration and boredom, and mark their territory. Cat trees (also known as cat condos) are designed to satisfy a variety of your cat’s needs in one place. Amenities include scratching posts, perching areas, built-in toys, and boxes for your cat to hide in when you have to use the vacuum cleaner. Like that of their human counterparts, cat real estate runs the gamut from modest one-bedrooms to enormous mansions. Factors to consider when shopping for a cat tree include size (seriously, some cat trees are huge), durability, and style. After all, cat trees are usually much bigger than standard scratching posts, so you’re going to want your cat’s new home-within-a-home to match your own décor. Scratch, nap, repeat Scratchers come in many affordable prices, but sometimes these prices can dictate the material used or the design of each scratcher. We found cheaper scratchers tend to be made of cardboard or have less durable builds than more expensive scratchers. Modern designs like the scratchers from Fukumaru were often more expensive. Other featuresOur resident cat testers loved scratching on the woven sisal on this tower. The stability of the wooden base performed perfectly. Even our biggest boy, Kit Kat (18 pounds), couldn’t tip over the scratcher during his grooming periods. After several weeks of testing, the SmartCat hardly frayed, even with three cats constantly using the posts to scratch. Wall Mounted Scratcher – A wall-mounted scratcher combines the benefits of a scratching post with the shape of a board, but rather than being laid out on the ground, it is affixed to the wall of your home using screws. These can be placed at any height, which means that any scratching board is suitable for any age or size cat but do consider the width of the board to ensure that your cat will be able to comfortably fit both paws up. Also bear in mind that these do require that you screw into your wall. 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.

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

We tested 19 of the most popular cat scratching posts available, letting our testers' cats flex their claws as we evaluated everything from build quality to how easy each scratcher was to assemble. Our testers' favorite is the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post, which has a stable base and is wrapped in durable sisal that will stand up to years of scratching. Plus, it's the right height for your cat to be able to stretch out fully. 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. Although it is more expensive than a basic scratcher, it does also include everything you need for installation including wall plugs and installation screws for wall mounting and rubber feet or use on the floor.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. The best cat scratching posts let your feisty feline have a paw-ty that doesn’t cost you your upholstery. 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!

SmartCat Ultimate Sisal Scratching Post - 83.5cm Height SmartCat Ultimate Sisal Scratching Post - 83.5cm Height

It looks attractive enough to be put in any room and it will withstand heavy abuse even from the largest cats, but the durability and good looks do come at a cost, and this is the most expensive item on the list. 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. It proudly holds the top spot in our guide to the best cat scratching posts, thanks to its sturdy and durable design and high-quality construction. At 32 inches high, it provides feline furkids with that long stretch they love, and the fibrous woven sisal is the perfect material for them to sink their claws into for a satisfying scratch. Temporarily cover the previously scratched areas with a few strips of double-sided carpet tape or clear double-sided tape strips that are designed for this purpose. This will help redirect your cat's scratching activities to the scratcher. To introduce the scratcher to your cat try using catnip as a lure (for most cats a lure is unnecessary, but fun). Rub catnip onto the sisal material and call the cat over to the scratcher.We like that the Petmaker is both a scratcher and a small cat tree. Our tester Gob frequently stretches and scratches on the various posts and then climbs on top for a better view of his bird friends through a window. This platform is stable enough that it doesn’t move when 12-pound Gob jumps straight to the platform from the ground and sleeps on the top for hours. Read more… Place the scratcher in a room where the cat spends a lot of time. Cats often like to stretch and scratch when they wake up from a nap.

SmartCat Ultimate Post Perch | Free UK Delivery - PetPlanet SmartCat Ultimate Post Perch | Free UK Delivery - PetPlanet

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. We only retain personal data for as long as is necessary for us to render a service you have requested or to which you have given your consent, except where otherwise provided by law (e.g. in connection with pending litigation). Scratchable area: We favored cat scratchers with greater scratchable surface areas—the areas covered in sisal, carpet, or cardboard. Jelly Bean: Our tiniest cat, Jelly Bean dwarfs her brother Kit Kat at eight pounds and __ inches in length. She’s five years old and prefers cardboard scratchers for her delicate little paws. The frame of the scratcher is made from corrugated cardboard, but it does seem reasonably strong, and it does look good, almost like a sculpture for your living room (although less so once it is scratched and frayed).Cat scratchers come in many varieties, like vertical posts or horizontal scratchers. We suggest choosing a scratcher that allows your cat to scratch and stretch in their natural preference. For example, if your cat tends to scratch a couch while standing on their hind legs, we suggest buying a vertical scratching post. Budget The Fukumaru – Activity Tree was our only cat scratcher that required a power tool because you needed to screw it into your wall. We liked that it came with clear, detailed instructions and most tools, including a drill bit and drywall anchors. It took a little bit more time to set up, but it’s very sturdy and doesn’t move. Read more… Looking for a cat scratching post that also doubles as a conversation piece? Who can say why, but there’s something particularly adorable about a cat going to war with a cactus. In addition to providing your cat all the benefits of a regular scratching post (exercise, relaxation, territory-marking), cactus scratching posts add a touch of green to any living space that can be relaxing for humans, too. Cactus scratching posts are all the rage right now, so watch out for inferior pet products that have been rushed to market to keep up with demand. Look for models with a durable base that are made with high-quality sisal fabric. Cactus scratching posts may be a bit of a novelty, but the best ones will work and hold up just as well as any standard model. A tree your cat will love (no fire department necessary) Scratching and napping are among a cat’s greatest pleasures, but if you live in a small apartment, you might not have room for a towering cat condo. Not to worry, though! Almost every home has space for a combination cat scratching post and bed. These are an excellent choice if you’ve noticed that your cat tends to scratch where they sleep, or you’re just trying to reclaim your bed as your own. The cat scratching material will attract your cat like a magnet, and once they realize they can curl up and nap there, it will likely become their new favorite hangout. Save your furniture and some cash at the same time 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.