Guide · Scratchers
The 8 Best Cat Scratching Posts and Pads of 2026, Ranked
Tall sisal posts, an upright cardboard wall and floor-level cardboard pads, compared on height, base, surface and refills.
What is the best cat scratching post?
On published specs, the MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte is the best cat scratching post: 41 inches of sisal on a 19 by 19 inch base, the tallest and widest here. For a cat that scratches carpets and stairs instead, the Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Scratcher sets a cardboard pad in a plywood frame at three angles.
- Best for large or tall cats: MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte, because its 41-inch sisal post is the tallest here and stands on a 19 by 19 inch base, the widest on this page.
- Best for average-size cats: SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post, because a 32-inch woven sisal post on a 16 by 16 inch base suits a medium-size cat without taking much floor.
- Best for cats who bat at toys: Amazon Basics Sturdy Scratching Post, because it pairs a 35.4-inch jute post with a replaceable dangle toy on a 16-pound wooden base.
- Best for cardboard fans who scratch up: Necoichi Cardboard Scratcher Wall, because a 33.5-inch upright cardboard panel joins a curved floor pad, so one piece covers upright and floor scratching.
- Best for rug and stair scratchers: Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Scratcher, because its cardboard pad in a half-inch plywood frame sets up three ways, from flat to steeply angled, and the pads can be replaced.
- Best for cats who scratch, then nap: Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Tower, because two round cardboard beds stack in a 24 by 24 by 26.5 inch frame, a scratcher and lounger in one.
- Best for two-cat homes: Modkat Scratcher Lounge Set, because the set holds two reversible cardboard lounges, 30 and 26.6 inches long, so each cat gets its own.
- Best for small spaces: PetFusion Cat Scratching Flip Pad, because a 19.7 by 10.2 inch pad that is only 3.25 inches high fits by a door or under a desk, and flips for a second design.
At a glance
No. 1 · Best for
Large or tall cats
MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand ForteNo. 2 · Best for
Average-size cats
SmartCat Ultimate Scratching PostNo. 3 · Best for
Cats who bat at toys
Amazon Basics Sturdy Scratching PostNo. 4 · Best for
Cardboard fans who scratch up
Necoichi Cardboard Scratcher WallNo. 5 · Best for
Rug and stair scratchers
Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard ScratcherNo. 6 · Best for
Cats who scratch, then nap
Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher TowerNo. 7 · Best for
Two-cat homes
Modkat Scratcher Lounge SetNo. 8 · Best for
Small spaces
PetFusion Cat Scratching Flip Pad
The best cat scratching post is a tall one that does not move. The ASPCA says cats want a sturdy post that will not shift or collapse, tall enough to stretch out fully. That makes height and base size the first two numbers to read on any listing.
Not every cat scratches upright, though. A cat that rakes the back of the sofa wants a post; one that shreds the rug or the stairs is often happier on a flat or angled pad. The eight scratchers here cover both: three sisal or jute posts and a cardboard wall, then four cardboard pads and lounges.
Scratching itself is normal behavior. It keeps claws in shape, leaves scent and gives a cat a full-body stretch, according to the AAFP. If scratching suddenly increases, or your cat seems to struggle with its claws, talk to your vet, because a vet can check whether something medical is behind the change.
How we picked and ranked these scratching posts and pads
We opened 15 Amazon listings for scratching posts, wall scratchers and cardboard pads, from makers such as SmartCat, PetFusion and Necoichi as well as unbranded sellers. We kept the ones whose listings publish their size and say what the scratching surface is made of.
For each one we compared the published post height, base size, scratching surface, frame and weight and replaceable pads, using the maker's own pages and the Amazon listing, checked on . Where a maker does not publish a spec, the page says “Not listed” rather than guessing.
Upright posts come first, because the ASPCA says cats want a sturdy post tall enough to stretch out fully, and the AAFP suggests one taller than the cat's body is long. Among the posts, the wider base ranks higher, because the ASPCA says a post should not shift or collapse, and the cardboard wall follows them as the one upright scratcher without rope.
The floor scratchers follow for cats that scratch flat or at an angle, ordered by how many ways they can be used, whether the frame adds weight, and whether the cardboard can be replaced. Nothing here is a score or a test result.
We left out an 18-inch wall-mounted sisal post, much shorter than the posts here, a 17.5-inch cardboard lounge, a pack of refill pads, a 24-inch cardboard post shorter than the Necoichi wall, two listings that published no usable size, and a wall-mounted post from a maker that publishes nothing beyond its size. We could not find a current listing for the PetFusion Ultimate lounge.
- We removed any product whose Amazon listing carried Amazon's “Frequently returned item” badge when we checked it.
- We do not test products hands-on. Everything here comes from published specs, listings and the sources at the foot of the page, and no score or rating is shown.
- No maker paid for a place on this list or for its position. We earn a commission from Amazon on qualifying purchases, which never sets the order.
Read our editorial policy for how every guide is researched, sourced and updated.
The 8 scratching posts and pads, in order
1. MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte
MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte is the tallest post on this page at 41 inches, with a thick sisal-wrapped post on a 19 by 19 inch base. MidWest says it was designed for large cats who need a tall, stable surface, and at 19.4 pounds it is also the heaviest post here, which helps it stay put when a cat pulls.
The base is covered in dark faux fur, which some cats will lie on and which needs spot cleaning. It takes up more floor than the other posts.
- Type
- Upright post
- Size
- 41 inches tall, 19 x 19 inch base
- Surface
- Thick post wrapped in natural sisal
- Base or frame
- Wide base covered in faux fur; 19.4 pounds
2. SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post is a 32-inch post covered in woven sisal fiber on a 16 by 16 inch base, with nothing else attached. SmartCat says the base keeps it from tipping and wobbling and that the woven sisal is better than carpet, which can snag claws. The post goes together with two included screws.
At 32 inches it may be short for a very long cat, so measure your cat from nose to tail base before choosing it over the taller posts here.
- Type
- Upright post
- Size
- 32 inches tall, 16 x 16 inch base
- Surface
- Woven sisal fiber
- Base or frame
- Wood base, fixed with two screws
3. Amazon Basics Sturdy Scratching Post
Amazon Basics Sturdy Scratching Post is 35.4 inches tall on a 15.75 by 15.75 inch wooden base and weighs 16.09 pounds, so it is taller than the SmartCat on a slightly smaller footprint. The post is covered in natural jute fiber rather than sisal, and a replaceable dangle toy hangs from the top.
Jute is softer than sisal, which some cats prefer and others ignore. The base is a little narrow for the height compared with the two posts above it.
- Type
- Upright post
- Size
- 35.4 inches tall, 15.75 x 15.75 inch base
- Surface
- Jute fiber
- Base or frame
- Wood base; 16.09 pounds
4. Necoichi Cardboard Scratcher Wall
Necoichi Cardboard Scratcher Wall is the one upright scratcher here made of cardboard: a 33.5-inch panel on a 13.8 by 15.7 inch frame, joined to a curved pad on the floor. Necoichi says the cardboard is made from recycled paper with a fine grain that leaves less paper waste, and the pads are reversible and replaceable.
At 3.52 pounds it is light, so stand it against a wall or a sofa side to keep it steady.
- Type
- Upright cardboard wall with a curved floor pad
- Size
- 33.5 inches tall, 13.8 x 15.7 inches
- Surface
- Fine-grain cardboard from recycled paper
- Base or frame
- Freestanding frame; 3.52 pounds
5. Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Scratcher
Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Scratcher puts a dense B-flute cardboard pad with a metal core inside a half-inch plywood frame that can stand in three positions, from low to high. At 10.95 pounds and 24.5 by 14 inches it is the heaviest of the floor scratchers, and Hepper sells replacement pads so the frame keeps going once the cardboard wears.
That much frame for a scratch pad makes most sense for a cat that already prefers cardboard.
- Type
- Angled pad, sets up three ways
- Size
- 24.5 x 14 x 6 inches
- Surface
- Dense B-flute cardboard, metal core
- Base or frame
- Half-inch plywood frame; 10.95 pounds
6. Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Tower
Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Tower stacks two round, dished cardboard pads in a 24 by 24 inch frame that stands 26.5 inches high, so a cat can scratch and curl up on either level. Necoichi says the pads are made from recycled paper and are reversible and replaceable. It weighs 9.1 pounds.
The pads are flat and dished, not upright, so this does not replace a tall post for a cat that scratches standing.
- Type
- Two-level cardboard lounger
- Size
- 24 x 24 x 26.5 inches
- Surface
- Cardboard from recycled paper
- Base or frame
- Frame with a cat-head outline; 9.1 pounds
7. Modkat Scratcher Lounge Set
Modkat Scratcher Lounge Set includes two curved cardboard lounges, one 30 by 10.6 by 10.6 inches and one 26.6 by 7 by 10.6 inches, made from high-density cardboard with non-toxic glue. Both flip over for a second side, and catnip comes with them.
Two pieces make it easier to follow Cats Protection's advice of one scratcher per cat. With no frame, they are lighter and slide more than the Hepper.
- Type
- Two curved floor lounges
- Size
- 30 x 10.6 x 10.6 and 26.6 x 7 x 10.6 inches
- Surface
- High-density cardboard, non-toxic glue
- Base or frame
- All cardboard, no frame
8. PetFusion Cat Scratching Flip Pad
PetFusion Cat Scratching Flip Pad is the smallest scratcher here at 19.7 by 10.2 inches and 3.25 inches high, with a gently curved cardboard top and a different design on each side. PetFusion includes organic catnip and lists a six-month warranty for manufacturing defects.
A pad this size suits a cat that scratches the floor by the door. It is likely too small for a large cat to lie on; the listing also mentions a 27-inch version.
- Type
- Low curved floor pad
- Size
- 19.7 x 10.2 x 3.25 inches
- Surface
- Cardboard
- Base or frame
- All cardboard, no frame
How they compare
| Product | Type | Size | Surface | Base or frame | Extras | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte | Upright post | 41 inches tall, 19 x 19 inch base | Thick post wrapped in natural sisal | Wide base covered in faux fur; 19.4 pounds | Assembly tools included | View on Amazon : MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte, opens in a new tab |
| 2. SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post | Upright post | 32 inches tall, 16 x 16 inch base | Woven sisal fiber | Wood base, fixed with two screws | None listed | View on Amazon : SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post, opens in a new tab |
| 3. Amazon Basics Sturdy Scratching Post | Upright post | 35.4 inches tall, 15.75 x 15.75 inch base | Jute fiber | Wood base; 16.09 pounds | Replaceable dangle toy | View on Amazon : Amazon Basics Sturdy Scratching Post, opens in a new tab |
| 4. Necoichi Cardboard Scratcher Wall | Upright cardboard wall with a curved floor pad | 33.5 inches tall, 13.8 x 15.7 inches | Fine-grain cardboard from recycled paper | Freestanding frame; 3.52 pounds | Reversible, replaceable pads | View on Amazon : Necoichi Cardboard Scratcher Wall, opens in a new tab |
| 5. Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Scratcher | Angled pad, sets up three ways | 24.5 x 14 x 6 inches | Dense B-flute cardboard, metal core | Half-inch plywood frame; 10.95 pounds | Replacement pads sold separately | View on Amazon : Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Scratcher, opens in a new tab |
| 6. Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Tower | Two-level cardboard lounger | 24 x 24 x 26.5 inches | Cardboard from recycled paper | Frame with a cat-head outline; 9.1 pounds | Reversible, replaceable pads | View on Amazon : Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Tower, opens in a new tab |
| 7. Modkat Scratcher Lounge Set | Two curved floor lounges | 30 x 10.6 x 10.6 and 26.6 x 7 x 10.6 inches | High-density cardboard, non-toxic glue | All cardboard, no frame | Reversible; catnip included | View on Amazon : Modkat Scratcher Lounge Set, opens in a new tab |
| 8. PetFusion Cat Scratching Flip Pad | Low curved floor pad | 19.7 x 10.2 x 3.25 inches | Cardboard | All cardboard, no frame | Two designs, flips over; catnip; 6-month defect warranty | View on Amazon : PetFusion Cat Scratching Flip Pad, opens in a new tab |
What should you look for in a cat scratching post?
Tall enough for a full stretch
Height matters most on an upright post. The AAFP suggests a post taller than your cat's body is long, and the ASPCA says most cats like one tall enough to stretch out fully.
The posts here run from 32 to 41 inches. The MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte is the tallest at 41 inches, which suits a big cat, while the 32-inch SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post is the shortest of the three posts.
A base that stops it wobbling
A tall post needs a base that keeps it still. The ASPCA says cats want a post that will not shift or collapse, and Cats Protection notes that cats prefer sturdy objects they can grip and dig into.
Compare the base with the height. The Forte stands on 19 by 19 inches and the SmartCat on 16 by 16, while the Amazon Basics Sturdy Scratching Post puts 35.4 inches on 15.75 by 15.75. Cats Protection also suggests a heavy, stable base that will not wobble or topple, and the Forte is the heaviest here at 19.4 pounds.
A surface your cat already likes
Sisal rope and corrugated cardboard are two common surfaces, and the AAFP says many cats prefer sisal, while others choose cardboard, carpet or wood. Jute, used on the Amazon Basics post, is a softer plant fiber.
Look at what your cat scratches now. Rough, upright fabric points to a sisal post. A rug or doormat points to cardboard. The ASPCA suggests trying a few textures before deciding a cat will not use a scratcher.
Upright, flat or angled
The ASPCA says some cats prefer horizontal posts and others vertical or slanted ones, and the AAFP says most cats like to scratch vertically but suggests a horizontal scratcher for a cat that scratches carpet. That is why this page includes floor scratchers as well as posts.
The Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Scratcher sets up three ways, the Necoichi Cardboard Scratcher Wall pairs an upright panel with a curved floor pad, and the Modkat and PetFusion lounges sit low. Cardboard wears out, so replaceable or reversible pads keep a frame in use longer.
Questions about scratching posts and pads
How tall should a cat scratching post be?
A cat scratching post should be taller than your cat's body is long, which is the AAFP's guidance, so the cat can stretch out fully. Measure your cat from nose to the base of the tail and compare. The posts on this page run from 32 inches to the 41-inch MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte, which suits a large cat.
Is sisal or cardboard better for a scratching post?
Sisal and cardboard both work, and the right one is the one your cat uses. The AAFP says many cats prefer sisal, but others like cardboard, carpet or wood. Sisal posts suit cats that scratch upright; cardboard pads suit cats that scratch rugs and floors, and they wear down and need new pads in time.
Where should I put a scratching post?
A scratching post works best right where your cat already scratches, such as in front of the sofa arm it targets. The ASPCA, the AAFP and Cats Protection all give that advice, and the AAFP adds a second spot near where your cat sleeps, and Cats Protection notes that cats often scratch and stretch on waking.
Full answer: Why cats scratch furniture, and how to redirect it
How many scratching posts does a cat need?
Cats Protection says every cat should have its own scratching post, each in a different place to avoid conflict. In practice that means at least one per cat, plus one near where they sleep, and a mix of upright and flat scratchers if you are not sure which your cat prefers.
Should I replace a shredded scratching post?
A shredded scratching post is often the one a cat likes best. The ASPCA says cats prefer worn posts that look and smell familiar, so keep it while it is steady. Replace it when it starts to wobble, and swap the pads on cardboard scratchers once they are worn flat.
Why does my cat ignore its new scratching post?
A new scratching post is often ignored because of where it stands or what it is made of. Move it next to the spot your cat scratches now, rub catnip on it, and reward your cat when it uses the post, all steps the ASPCA and the AAFP suggest. If that fails, try a flat or angled scratcher.
If your cat seems to avoid scratching altogether, or struggles to extend or pull in its claws, mention it to your vet, since Cats Protection lists those among the signs that claws need attention.
Full answer: Why cats scratch furniture, and how to redirect it
Terms used on this page
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Related guides
Sources
- MidWest Homes for Pets Feline Nuvo Grand Forte Scratching Post, 41 Inches Tall, Heavy-Duty Sisal Post with Wide Base (Amazon.com listing)
- Destructive Scratching (ASPCA)
- Living with a Clawed Cat: Information for Cat Caregivers (American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), 2020)
- SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post (Beige) (Amazon.com listing)
- Amazon Basics Sturdy Cat Scratching Post for Indoor Cats & Kittens, Classic Single Post, Large (35.4"H) (Amazon.com listing)
- Necoichi Cardboard Cat Scratcher Wall for Indoor Cats, Cat Scratching Board (Amazon.com listing)
- Cats and Scratching: Why Do Cats Scratch? (Cats Protection)
- Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Cat Scratcher with Real Wood & Metal Frame (Amazon.com listing)
- Necoichi Cat Scratcher Tower for Indoor Cats, Cat Scratching Post Lounger with Reversible Usability (Amazon.com listing)
- Modkat 2-Pc Cat Scratcher Set, Reversible, Large & Small Sizes (Amazon.com listing)
- PetFusion Cat Scratching Flip Pad, 2 Designs in One (Amazon.com listing)
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