The Best Cat Scratchers
Cats use scratching to relieve stress and sharpen their claws. If you don’t have one, your cat might use scratching to control their behavior. To find the best cat scratcher, we consulted 74 kittens and cats from Little Wanderers NYC rescue group. It is strong, reliable, tested over time, and tall enough for large cats to use it, Pioneer Pet’s SmartCat the Ultimate Scoring Post was a favourite of our experts. The weave sisal had some flaws that we found, but they were not serious. Before you set up your post, we recommend that you inspect it and secure any loose threads.
We found that the only scratcher we tested had a rectangular-shaped base. Rotate it as often as possible to keep it from wearing down. Traditional posts can be scratched from any angle and are tubular. Ultimate Scratching Post’s testing unit included hex screws to attach the post to its base. It did not come with an Allen wrench, so be sure to have all your tools.
Although woven sisal is a wonderful scratching material for cats it will not be loved by all cats. It may feel rougher than your couch cushion, and it can be difficult to understand. Nicole Kay, a Denver Just Cats store owner, said that your cat can be lured to scratch it with catnip. Some cats may be scared by this.
Why it is our favorite:
The North American Cat Cat Classy Kitty Cat Skratching Post is the best carpeted cat model that we could find. The carpet is strong and durable, while the softness is enough to be comfortable for most cats. While cat owners may prefer a higher-pitched carpet scratcher to their cats, a thinner carpet is better because it shreds and pills less. The Classy Kitty post was kept alive for 10 days in a home with 10 cats.
While there are some issues, it was a good 10 days. The carpet scratcher eventually will shred and pill and carpet pieces will end up all over the house. It won’t last as long as our main pick. It won’t last as long as the main choice. It has been replaced every year by me for my cat. Carpeted scratchers are not recommended for cats because they can trap their nails in the small holes. The scratcher we chose is identical, but the volunteers claimed that their cats were more able to escape from this scratcher than any other.
Why it is so great:
Our main pick, the Pioneer Pet SmartCat SmartCat Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher, has the same strong, weave-sisal material. It is also stronger than carpet or cardboard and therefore easier to clean up. It was scratched by 10 cats for a week and left no marks. It is 24 inches in length, so cats can comfortably scratch it horizontally. It can be wall-mounted at any height for vertical reach. It measures less than 3 inches in thickness and can be mounted in a hallway to not block the path.
Bootsies are made of rubber feet, which is what the Bootsie’s scratcher (bootsies) is famous for. Rubber feet reduce the noise of cats scratching furiously. They prevent the cat from sliding onto the floor when it is pouncing hard. It’s large enough to allow cats to use it comfortably and small enough that they can be moved easily. Christine Ryan, senior editor has been using the Bootsie’s scratcher since January. She loves its portability. It fits under my sofa. This is great for cleaning up after guests.
Weaknesses, but not dealbreakers.
During our testing, we found that some cats had trouble digging their claws into the new model. Others were able to catch their claws. The Pioneer Pet model was larger and could be placed where cats desired. A Little Wanderers volunteer said that they loved it. “The height, the material, and the width are all perfect.”
You’ll need to sweep up.”
The Catit benches are still made from cardboard and will be shredded by eight cats.
Our volunteer tester said that it would take them several weeks to destroy the Catit benches. It will last longer in homes with fewer pets.
Catit received a sample of Catit’s catnip in a lounger. The catnip was less dark and had fewer stems than fresh catnip. Yeowww catnip is the best choice if you absolutely need it. No matter what catnip you use, you can expect to mess up. Sarah Kobos, Wirecutter noted that catnip flake can easily slip through cardboard and onto the floor.
How to pick a cat scratcher
A ratchet can be used horizontally or vertically. You can also find them in many different sizes and shapes. The most popular scratching materials are sisal, cardboard and wood. Sisal and wood are more expensive than carpet or carpet, and prices may vary depending on the material. There are three types of cat scratchers available: vertical scratchers that have a long attached post and a square base; small horizontal slabs; and elevated slabs called loungers. Some cat scratchers have interactive elements like feathers and crinkle balls. Others may have multiple poles of different heights or materials. A scratcher’s price will increase with its quality. A good scratcher can be as expensive as $80, according to our research. The cheapest scratcher was $8.
How we chose and tested
In the three categories of wall, lounger and posts, there were 34 cat scratches. The list was then reduced to scratchers that had strong online reviews and could be purchased at multiple retailers. They were large enough to fit cats’ long reach (at least 18 in for horizontal scratchers and 25 in for vertical scratchers). We tested 13 scratchers.
Experts agree that the most important criteria in selecting a cat scratcher are size, durability, stability, and size. These categories were in mind when we performed control tests. Then, we asked volunteers from Little Wanderers rescue group in New York to evaluate each cat scratcher. We were able to focus on real-world testing and not compromise our internal testing protocols.
Superior quality construction and durability:
Every cat scratcher was assembled, inspected and tested for workmanship. We attached plastic meat shredders to each scratcher and noticed how easy it was to make claw marks. After about a week of use, our cat panelists were able to play with the scratchers. Then, we examined them.
Stability First, we took our 10-pound rice bag and used it as a substitute for the house cat. Next, we rubbed each scratcher with it to see if they would tip over or slide across hardwood floors. Next, we asked the human volunteers to evaluate each scratcher’s stability after it had been used by their cat panelists.
Scratchable area:
We prefer cat scratches that have a larger scratchable surface–the areas covered by sisal, carpet, or cardboard.
Size Larger scratchers were preferable to smaller ones within the same category, as they allow for more space. The preference of smaller scratchers was also shared by our cat panelists.
What about Instagrammable cat scratchers?
Cat scratchers can be purchased in a wide variety of shapes and colors, including flowers, cherries or unicorns. Many cat scratchers cost too much. We searched for novelty scratchers worth our time, but none of them were large enough. The cat scratcher should be large enough to allow your cat to stretch fully while using it. Our testing has been limited to vertical and horizontal scratchers that measure at least 18 inches. It is better to have a larger cat than you think. If your cat is larger than 32 inches, we recommend you get a taller, 32-inch vertical scratcher.
Many novelty cat scratchers were less than 19 inches tall and too light for cats to scratch. Some models look taller than they actually are. However, once assembled, the scratchable area is smaller. The Frisco Animal Series cat scratching board measures approximately 25 inches in height, but the scratchable area has a sisal rope covering it only 17 inches high. The remaining 8 inches are covered in a faux fur, llama-shaped, and stuffed head cats can grasp onto.
The Vetreska Blooming Cat Tree, a 41-inch scratchable surface, cushioned bed for cat napping and weighted base that stops tipping, was something we liked. We wanted to give it a try so we ordered it online. When we attempted to reach customer service, we did not get a response. We do not recommend this model.
Post scratchers
The Max & Marlow Silal ScratchPost tube is divided into two pieces, with a spacer in between. It was less stable than scratching posts made of solid pieces. It measures 26 inches in height, making it one our smallest scratchers.
The MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte Skating Post was our largest post scratcher. It weighs 20 pounds and measures 19x19x41inches. It is too big for most homes. Due to its heavy weight, it is very difficult to assemble. To ensure a tight seal, you will need to tighten it multiple times. It was more stable than half the other posts tested, even though it was split by a spacer. Online reviewers often complain about this.
Trixie Pet Products Parala Scratching Site is 24 inches tall, making it one the shortest post-scratchers that we tested. The washer is not included, so it’s not as secure as other competitors. It is designed to evenly distribute pressure and provide a flat surface for nut to rest on, to prevent it from losing over time.