Cat Trees & Perches
Best Cat Scratchers
(opens Amazon in a new tab)Scratching is normal cat behavior, not a bad habit. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) says it keeps the claw motion cats use for hunting and climbing and removes old claw sheaths. It also lets cats stretch and leave visual and scent marks [1].
So the aim is to give your cat a scratcher it likes better than the sofa. We picked three scratchers for three styles: a tall sisal post, an L-shaped cardboard scratcher that works upright or flat, and a 4-pack of flat pads for around the house.
Our 3 picks at a glance
- Best Vertical PostSmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post32-inch woven sisal post on a 16 × 16 inch baseCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best L-ShapedFUKUMARU L-Shaped Cat Scratcher, 26.8 InchCardboard scratcher you can stand upright, lay flat or use as a loungerCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best Horizontal Multi-PackAmazon Basics Corrugated Cardboard Cat Scratcher, 4-PackFour reversible flat pads, 17.4 × 10 inches eachCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
How we picked
We searched Amazon for cat scratchers and read the listings in the top organic results. We left out cat trees, which we cover in our cat tree guide, and we skipped listings with a high score from only a handful of ratings.
We then chose one vertical post, one scratcher that works both ways and one set of horizontal pads, because the AAFP suggests offering both vertical and horizontal options [2]. We checked each pick against the AAFP's advice on height, stability and material [1], and against two studies of which scratchers cats use [4][5].
What the research says
The AAFP's position statement on declawing, which it strongly opposes as an elective procedure, sets out what makes a good scratcher. Posts should be tall or long enough for a full stretch and stable enough not to move or fall over. It lists wood, sisal rope, carpet, cardboard and rough fabric as materials cats like, and suggests putting a scratcher next to where the cat sleeps [1].
The AAFP's Claw Friendly toolkit adds: offer both vertical and horizontal scratchers in several spots, some near sleeping areas (cats often scratch and stretch after a nap) and some near windows. It says a horizontal scratcher may suit a cat that scratches the carpet [2]. The feline environmental needs guidelines also list claw-scratching areas among a cat's key resources [3].
Two studies looked at what cats choose. In an online survey of 4,105 cat owners, rope was the material cats used most when it was offered [4]. The authors' ideal post was upright, rope-covered and at least 3 feet tall [4]. That is owner-reported, not observed. A small in-home study of 36 cats found upright scratchers covered in cardboard or rope got more use than sofa fabric [5].
SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
This is the tallest scratcher here and the one with the most ratings. The listing gives a 32-inch post covered in woven sisal on a 16 by 16 inch base, and the description says the height lets a cat stretch fully while it scratches. That matches the AAFP's advice that a post should be tall enough for a full stretch [1].
On stability, the listing says the wide base "eliminates" tipping and wobbling in one line and "reduces" it in another. We'd go with the more careful word. It assembles with two included screws.
Good to know
- Tallest pick: 32 inches of sisal
- Wide 16 × 16 in base
- Sisal cover; the AAFP lists sisal rope among materials cats like [1]
Keep in mind
- The listing says the base "eliminates" wobbling in one place and "reduces" it in another
- Spot clean only, per the listing
- The listing's item weight of 1 pound doesn't fit a post this size, so we don't rely on it
FUKUMARU L-Shaped Cat Scratcher, 26.8 Inch
Sold by FUKUMARU, ships from Amazon.
If you don't know yet whether your cat scratches up or down, this one does both. It's an L-shaped piece of corrugated cardboard, 26.8 by 16.6 by 11.5 inches. The listing says you can stand it against a wall or sofa, lay it flat as a lounger, or set it up as a "cat house".
The listing says the cardboard is 1.6 inches thick, and it calls it thicker and more scratch-resistant than other L-shaped scratchers. It gives a 90-day warranty.
Good to know
- Vertical and horizontal in one piece
- Cardboard, a material the AAFP lists among cats' favorites [1]
- Light (under a pound) and easy to move
Keep in mind
- The title mentions a ball toy, but the included-components line lists only the scratching pad
- The 18,226 ratings appear on a smaller size too, so the rating likely covers both
- Its longest side is 26.8 inches, shorter than the SmartCat's 32-inch post; pair it with a tall post if your cat stretches high
Amazon Basics Corrugated Cardboard Cat Scratcher, 4-Pack
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
The AAFP suggests scratchers in several spots, some near where your cat sleeps and some near windows [2]. Four pads make that easy. Each is a flat, double-sided corrugated cardboard pad, 17.4 by 10 by 1.5 inches, and the listing says you can flip it over when one side wears out.
The AAFP toolkit says a horizontal scratcher may suit a cat that scratches rugs or carpet [2].
Good to know
- Four pads to spread around the house
- Double-sided and reversible, per the listing
- Sold by Amazon
Keep in mind
- Flat only, so add an upright post for stretching
- Spot clean with a damp cloth; the listing says not to wash them
- The spec table says "Adult" while the description says kittens and adults
Side by side
| Product | Type | Size | Material | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmartCat Ultimate | Vertical post | 32 in tall; 16 × 16 in base | Sisal, wood | Post + 2 screws |
| FUKUMARU L-shaped | Vertical or flat | 26.8 × 16.6 × 11.5 in | Corrugated cardboard | 1 scratcher |
| Amazon Basics 4-pack | Flat pads | 17.4 × 10 × 1.5 in each | Corrugated cardboard | 4 pads |
Specs as stated on each Amazon listing, checked September 2026.
What to look for
Height for a full stretch
The AAFP says a post should be tall or long enough for your cat to stretch fully [1]. Measure your cat stretched out and compare it with the post height.
A base that doesn't move
The AAFP says posts should be stable enough not to move or fall over [1]. Look for base size on the listing.
Up, flat, or both
Watch where your cat scratches now. Sofa arms suggest an upright post; rugs suggest a flat pad. The AAFP suggests offering both [2].
The bottom line
- Best Vertical Post: The SmartCat is the tallest pick, with a wide base and sisal cover.
- Best L-Shaped: The FUKUMARU covers upright and flat scratching in one piece, but it's shorter than a full-height post.
- Best Horizontal Multi-Pack: The Amazon Basics 4-pack gives you four flat pads to spread around the house.
Questions pet parents ask
Why do cats scratch?
The AAFP says scratching is normal behavior. It keeps the claw motion cats use to hunt and climb, removes the old outer layer of the claw, and lets cats stretch and leave visual and scent marks [1].
Is sisal or cardboard better?
How tall should a scratching post be?
Where should I put a cat scratcher?
Should I declaw my cat instead?
The AAFP strongly opposes declawing as an elective procedure [1]. Giving your cat good places to scratch is the approach it recommends. Talk to your vet if scratching is a problem.
Sources
- American Association of Feline Practitioners. Declawing, position statement (2017). catvets.com
- AAFP Claw Friendly Educational Toolkit: Scratching Resources. catvets.com
- AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines, Ellis SLH et al., Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 15(3):219–230 (2013). journals.sagepub.com
- Wilson C, Bain M, DePorter T, Beck A, Grassi V, Landsberg G. Owner observations regarding cat scratching behavior: an internet-based survey. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 18(10):791–797 (2016). journals.sagepub.com
- Zhang L, McGlone JJ. Scratcher preferences of adult in-home cats and effects of olfactory supplements on cat scratching. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 227:104997 (2020). sciencedirect.com