The best cat scratching posts

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If your cat were out in the wild, they'd naturally sharpen their claws on trees and other sturdy surfaces. Scratching is a natural behavior, so providing something that mimics that experience indoors is essential for their health, and can save your couch or door frames, too.

Cats scratch to condition their nails, leave scent markers of their presence, and stretch their muscles. The best cat scratching posts are stable, solidly constructed, and located where cats will actually use them. In fact, it's ideal to have multiple scratchers around your home, according to experts.

I've been testing home, tech, and pet products for over a decade. For this guide, I consulted a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and a certified applied animal behaviorist for insights into why cats scratch and the types of resources that can support this healthy behavior. I also have two cats who helped me evaluate nine scratching posts in our home. Both cats gravitated toward the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post, likely because it stood up to their vigorous scratching and was tall enough for them to stretch out. I like it because it looks nice and can last for years.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.

Our top picks for the best cat scratching posts

Best overall: SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post - See at Chewy

Best budget: Frisco 33-in Heavy Duty Sisal Cat Scratching Post - See at Chewy

Best for large cats: MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte - See at Chewy

Best post and bed: Vetreska 41.3-in Cat Scratching Post with Bed - See at Chewy

Best multi-post: Frisco Lucky Bamboo 35.5" Cat Scratching Posts with Toys - See at Chewy

Best overall

The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post blends solid construction, height, and tasteful design to take top honors in this guide. No scratching post is indestructible, but my current SmartCat post has lasted for years. When the sisal starts to fray, I can extend its life further by rotating the post to give my cats a fresh place to scratch. The two neutral color options are about as inconspicuous as cat scratchers get, and the gray post is especially muted. The sisal's weave seems to appeal to both my cats.

I could barely see any damage during my scratch test, and the sisal never caught the brush. That's important because cats' claws could get stuck on the sisal, leading to injury. The best cat scratching posts allow cats to get a full stretch, and at 32 inches tall, the SmartCat post suits most felines. "A big problem is that people invest in a scratching post that's way too tiny," says Mikel Maria Delgado, a certified applied animal behaviorist with Feline Minds. Neither of my cats is delicate (one is 13 pounds, and the other is 18 pounds), and this post can withstand up to 30 pounds according to Chewy's website.

The engineered wood base is wide to help with stability, but it isn't comfortable enough for use as a napping spot. The lack of padding makes the SmartCat less appealing for cat parents looking for a multifunctional furniture piece. There is a perch pad sold separately, but it was out of stock so I couldn't try it with my cats. This was also the only post I tested that didn't come with all the tools necessary for assembly, so you'll want to have a flathead screwdriver handy.

Best budget

Whether you have one cat or multiple, providing enough scratching resources can put stress on the budget. The Frisco 33-inch post offers many of the same features as the SmartCat post at about half the cost. Its sisal held up well during my scratch tests, although the brush snagged a couple of times.

Other than price point, its main distinguishing feature over my top pick is the plush material covering the base and top. The faux-fur top gives the Frisco dual functionality, adding both a scratcher as well as vertical space to your cat's environment. One of my cats especially liked perching on the top. The base is 16 by 16 inches, and held firm when he summited the post to survey his kingdom. While the post is slightly taller than the SmartCat, there's actually about 2 inches less sisal material on the Frisco because the plush top and base extend along the scratcher. While my cats seemed to appreciate the faux fur, it made the post stand out more compared to my decor. It does come in three colors, though the sisal is always the same cream color.

The Frisco post is also only recommended for cats up to 25 pounds, compared to SmartCat's 30 pounds, but this weight limit should still accommodate the majority of cats. In my push tests, it wobbled a little more than the SmartCat.

Best for large cats

If your cats harbor secret desires to scale trees, consider the MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte. It's tall, wide, and rounded, making it closer to a trunk than anything else I tested. Business Insider reporter Janelle Leeson has cats who gravitated to this post. They loved scurrying up it and using the top as a scouting spot.

It has a mix of faux fur and sisal, with more of the rope-like material than either of the scratchers above. The large base is covered in plush fabric, which my cats enjoyed as a resting spot. For cats that like to scratch horizontally on similar material, there's plenty of room. Neither of my cats used this scratcher a lot, but that doesn't mean it won't work for your cats. "There's always going to be cats with very specific preferences," Delgado says. She notes you should give cats a range of options so you can figure out what appeals to them.

At 19 by 19 inches, its base takes up nearly 30% more floor space than my top pick, which may be problematic in space-challenged homes. However, my biggest issue with this post is that the sisal tends to shed. It has the loosest weave of any post in this guide, which impacts durability and requires cleanup.

Best post and bed

The Vetreska Cat Scratching Post with Bed looks like something out of Super Mario Bros, but the uniquely designed scratcher, topped by a cozy bed, quickly became my cat Dobby's favorite. The flower bed has a concave center surrounded by higher petals, and I find him curled up in the middle when I wake up in the morning. He also hangs out there most of the day. My larger cat doesn't like it as much, but it's getting so much use by Dobby that it's often occupied.

This scratcher is beautifully made. Jute covers the cactus frame and the rounded base, so cats can scratch horizontally or vertically. It's also one of the taller posts, so cats can get a good stretch when scratching. The jute held up well during testing and is less prickly than sisal. The best cat scratching posts should be stable to help your cat feel safe. Despite its unusual design, the Vetreska post is sturdy and withstood multiple feline launches from the floor to the bed without a single wobble. That being said, pulling the structure by one of the petals made it a little unsteady.

You'll pay a premium for quality. The Vetreska Post is the most expensive scratcher I tested, coming in at over 2.5 times the price of the top pick in this guide. In addition, its cartoonishness and vivid colors may not fit with everyone's decor. Some cats may gravitate towards a post with a simpler design or a different style of bed. However, if your cat does enjoy curling up in the flower, the post will have a much longer lifespan as a bed.

Best multi-post

This well-made Frisco scratcher with a bamboo motif offers multiple scratching options and includes added features to encourage play. My 3-year-old cat enjoyed batting at the felt leaves, though the fluffy ball didn't really intrigue him. My older cat found neither amusing.

It has three posts of varying heights to give your cat plenty of choices. The tallest post is about 26 inches, and when you factor in the base and leaf, the highest point on this scratcher is 36 inches. It's only recommended for cats up to 15 pounds, so combined with the shorter height, it's probably not the best option for larger cats. That said, my 18-pound cat didn't seem to have any trouble. The top of the base is also covered in sisal, providing an opportunity for horizontal scratching. The sisal was resistant to wear in my tests and didn't shed or snag, and the triple posts provide more scratching surfaces.

Its raised base can limit accessibility, requiring some cats to use the posts at a slight distance or contort around the posts in order to scratch.The design also deterred my cats from using the bottom as a resting area. In addition, this post's material was the prickliest I tested. As with the Vetreska cactus, the bamboo scratcher may stand out against more neutral decor.

What to look for in a cat scratching post

When choosing one of the best cat scratching posts, the most important criteria is that it's something your cat will use. That means paying attention to whether they prefer sisal or cardboard, for example. They'll also need something that's big enough for them to stretch out while scratching. Where you put the post in your home is also important. "Cats like to scratch in prominent locations near where they spend time," Delgado says. That's why it's a good idea to have multiple scratchers where both you and your cats hang out, especially in spaces where they sleep.

Cat-friendly design: Some cats like to scratch vertically, like on the arm of your couch. Others like to stretch horizontally and dig in their claws, and may use the back of your couch. Your cats' preferences might change as they get older, says Dr. Lore Haug, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with Texas Veterinary Behavior Services. If your cat likes both, look for a scratcher that lets them use it in multiple orientations. Make sure it's long or tall enough for them to fully extend their body while scratching.

Materials: The material you choose will largely come down to your cat's preference. Sisal, cardboard, and jute are all common materials, since those are all what cats like. "Most cats are going to fall into the cardboard and sisal categories as their favorite," Delgado says. Both experts noted that carpet can snag cats' claws, so use caution if that's their favorite material.

Stability: Vertical scratchers should have a wide, heavy base so they don't shake when your cats use them. Haug says this might scare them off, especially if your cat is on the timid side. Horizontal scratchers should sit on a non-slippery surface so they don't slide around.

Durability: Both experts say that cats like leaving visual markers of where they scratched. The best cat scratching posts balance durability with material that accommodates those visual cues. Sisal and jute are both durable, while also fraying and wearing enough to serve as signals that your cat was there. The cardboard post I tested was the quickest to show damage and would probably need replacing the soonest.

Safety: Make sure the post won't tip when your cat is using it. "Vertical posts either need to be anchored to a wall or they need to have a really sturdy base so that they can't get knocked over," Haug says. Choose a material that won't catch your cat's claws.

How we tested cat scratching posts

The living room is the central hub of my home. It's where my couch is and everyone, including my two cats — an 18-pound 3-year-old and a 13-pounder who's 8 — congregates. I tested each one in that room before moving it to my home office, another hangout spot. Below are the evaluation points I considered throughout the testing process.

Cat preference: I placed each of the nine posts behind my couch, a spot that both cats like to claw. Over the course of three days, I used direct observation and camera footage to note when the cats used or interacted with the scratcher. Then I moved the scratcher into my office for an additional three days and tracked usage.

Stability: I watched for shaking when my cats used the scratchers. I used medium force to push and pull each post to see if it started to tip, slide, or jiggle.

Durability: Using a metal claw-shaped comb, I scratched each post 50 times. I noted any wear from this test and whether the material caught the comb. I also examined the post before and after the six days of testing for signs of use.

Assembly: I timed how long it took to assemble the post and whether I could do it on my own.

Aesthetics: I noted how well-made the posts seemed (quality sisal versus a more ragged-looking rope, for example, or bulky plastic screws instead of flush metal ones), how they looked after some use, and whether they were available in multiple color options.

Cost: Most scratching posts over 30 inches range from $40 to $75 on Chewy, PetSmart, and Petco. I determined whether the posts were above or below that price range. For more expensive posts, I took extra features into account.

Meet the expert behind this guide

Jenny McGrath, freelance reporter: I've tested and reviewed home, tech, and pet products for over 10 years. For this guide, I evaluated nine scratching posts with a range of materials and at various price points. I consulted two experts, an animal behaviorist and a veterinarian, to find criteria for testing and assessing scratchers. My two cats tested all of the options over a period of six days per product.

Cat scratching post FAQs

What scratching posts do cats like best?

Every cat is an individual, and the preferred scratching material varies from cat to cat. In addition, some cats prefer horizontally oriented posts, others like vertical or angled, and some enjoy all orientations. Even the same cat may switch their preference from vertical to horizontal scratchers as they get older due to limitations with mobility.

Do scratching posts really work for cats?

Cats scratch for multiple reasons, from stretching to marking their territory with their claws and the scent glands in their paws. You want to offer your cats a resource that fulfills these needs. As long as you're reinforcing their behavior and it meets their needs, most cats will use scratchers. "Scratching also helps cats stretch their back muscles, so it feels really good," Delgado says. Whichever way they like to scratch, make sure they can get a good stretch at the same time. If your cat still prefers your sofa or other furniture over the scratchers you provide, we also recommend several products to protect your furniture from scratching.

When should a scratching post be replaced?

Depending on how your cats use them, posts can last years. There are a few signs to watch out for if you think the scratcher is ready to be retired. "If there is rope that is unraveling or a cat stops using the post, or they get their claws stuck on it, then it is probably a good idea to replace it," Delgado says.

Which is better for a cat scratching post, sisal or jute?

Either or neither could work. Your cat might like cardboard or even denim better. It's the cat scratcher Pepsi-Coke challenge, Haug says. Give your cat a few options and see what prompts them to scratch.

Where is the best place to put a cat scratching post?

The post needs to be convenient, Haug says. "Having the posts where the cat hangs out a lot, where they sleep a lot, and in their core area is going to maximize their utilization of it." If you have multiple cats, you don't necessarily need to keep scratchers separate from one another. However, Delgado advises against sticking them in cramped corners or seldom-visited basements. "I have several posts close to one another, which can be helpful if you have multiple cats and there are high traffic areas they all like to scratch," she says.

How do you encourage a cat to use a scratching post?

Both experts suggested praising your cat and handing out treats when you see them using the scratching post. You can also sprinkle it with catnip if that attracts them, or encourage them to scratch by dragging a toy along the post.

How many scratching posts do my cats need?

The more cats you have and the bigger your space is, the more scratching posts you'll need, according to both experts. Even if you have a single cat and a small apartment, you should still have a few options in different locations to support choice and so your cat doesn't turn their claws onto your furniture.