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. While some cat scratching posts offer just that, some are equipped with much more, like places to lounge and climb or attached toys for entertainment. Consider your cat’s personality and the size of the post to determine if you want a basic version, a maxed-out model, or something in between. Age is also a factor, since kittens or young cats are more likely to interact with scratchers that have toy accessories, whereas an older cat may prefer a floor scratcher or something they can stretch out across. Cat scratching posts come in many shapes and sizes. The perfect build for you will depend on your space constraints as well as the size of your feline friend. If you have more than one cat, you may want a bigger one (with more options for scratching and playing), but if space is tight, there are smaller models that may be a good fit. 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. 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.

Cat Ball Scratcher - Etsy UK

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. 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.

I have nothing negative to say about this cat tree," our tester said. "The fuzzy balls hanging from each circular opening are a nice touch, as well as the hole openings between the levels for cat climbing. The height is nice too for the cat to be able to reach a higher window or bed that they couldn't reach without it."

Cat Scratch Ball - Etsy Cat Scratch Ball - Etsy

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. 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.We acquired a selection of the latest and most popular cat scratchers available and sent each one to a staffer with a cat or kitten (sometimes both!) in their home. Each tester was asked to keep the cat scratching post in their space for two weeks to gather data and insights related to assembly, design, overall value, whether they would recommend it to other cat guardians, and the type of cat that they felt the scratching surface would most appeal to. This scratcher lounger does everything it promises—providing ample surface area for scratching and offers a comfortable lounging option at the same time," they said. "While I was hesitant about its large size at first, I am now sold on this product. She loves it so much!" This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a very cat-like pomeranian, Gidget, which she lovingly refers to as a meoweranian. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets. For cats, clawing is a way of life. They naturally crave the sensation of sinking their nails into the surfaces they encounter and, according to the ASPCA, this behavior psychologically helps cats mark their territory. Physically it allows them to stretch, play, and keep their claws manicured. They instinctually use their sharp paw extensions as tools to climb, hunt, and hold down their prey. But if you have a cat in your home, you'll soon realize that your furniture is the target for a lot of this fierce feline behavior. A scratching post is a furniture-saving piece that should be readily available in any home with a cat to help redirect their urge to scratch.