The best cat scratchers
Cat Scratchers – Buying and Comparison Guide in 2022
If you like cats and enjoy their company, you should know that their nails fulfill an important function related to their natural hunting instinct, and through them they defend themselves, they can climb, scratch, release stress, mark their territorial zone and even stretch. their muscles, and for that reason they look for any object or surface to sharpen them. Cat scratchers are ideal for teaching these animals where they can scratch and sharpen their claws, since they are made of suitable materials to perform this act. Among the scratching posts with the best positive opinions from web users, we recommend the RHRQuality Corner Coon model, with a size of 1.51 meters in height and very thick sisal poles, ideal for cats of large breeds. Another interesting model isSongmics PCT86G, which has a spacious hiding place, several platforms and accessories for games, so that your pet spends hours having fun with his scratching post.
Opinions on the best scratching posts for cats
To help you find the best scratching post for your cat, we have made a selection of the products most recommended by users, given their many advantages, since in addition to giving them a place to sharpen their nails, they provide spaces to rest and entertain themselves.
Large cat scratchers
RHRQuality Corner Coon
If you are looking for the best scratching post for cats, we present this model from RHRQuality, because it is large and with a height of 1.51 meters, robust, with 12 cm thick sisal poles, made with resistant and durable materials, because the tops are made of MDF and upholstered with thick, soft plush, so your cats are comfortable and calm.
Its thick scratching posts have been covered in natural sisal, since they are trunks filled with ABS plastic and molded M8 thread, ideal for your cats to sharpen their nails whenever they want, without hurting themselves.
In the case of these models of scratching posts for large cats, they include different accessories and comforts for your cat, such as a cozy cave so that the cat can rest and relax, two luxurious padded hammocks with a diameter of 45 cm and an executive seat on the upper floor. It comes with a removable and washable cushion.
This RHRQuality model has been described by most of its buyers as the best cat scratcher of the moment, given its large dimensions and luxury accessories. Here we mention its pros and cons.
Pros
Design: It is designed in the form of a tower with several platforms, being ideal for large cats, it has two spacious and rotating hammocks, a cave, stairs and a pillow to rest.
Sisal: The poles of the platforms have a diameter of 12 cm thick and are lined with natural sisal, so as not to hurt the cat while scratching.
Height: Cats love to be in high places, so this scratcher is 1.51 meters high so they can observe or play from that distance.
Cons
Space: Due to its large dimensions, this model needs a good size space in the house for its location.
RHRQuality Chartreux
For cats, the act of scratching all surfaces with their nails is a great necessity, so we recommend the Chartreux scratcher from RHRQuality, designed for large and heavy cats, which occupies one of the main places among the best cat scratchers of 2022.
In addition, this scratching post for large cats has an extra robust sisal pole with a diameter of 20 cm thick, a large resting area of 64 cm and a raised edge of 16 cm high, which includes a comfortable pillow so that your cat can rest, as well as a long play rope.
For its part, the bottom plate has dimensions of 60 cm wide by 60 cm long, and 4 cm thick, being able to support up to a maximum of 40 kg, making it very stable.
RHRQuality has been cataloged by many as the best brand of scratching posts for cats, because it offers quality, robust and durable products, so we will leave you the pros and cons of one of its models.
Pros
Design: It has a nice tree-like design in cream white, which makes it look nice and elegant.
Height: Once assembled this scratching post reaches a total height of 101 cm and its bottom plate is 60 x 60 cm with a thickness of 4 cm.
Materials: It is made with highly resistant and durable materials, and the scratching areas have been covered with natural sisal to make it more pleasant for small cats.
Cons
Large cats: This model is designed for large and heavy cats, such as those of the Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat or Maine Coon breed, and is not suitable for smaller breeds.
cat scratching tree
Songmics PCT86G
If you want to know which is the best scratching post for cats, the Songmics PCT86G model could be the answer, since it is a tree-shaped scratching post with capacity for three cats, thanks to its robust and stable structure, with about 154 cm of height. height and its different game platforms.
It is made of MDF board and upholstered in anthracite flannel, although you can choose between light beige and grey, but in all cases the fabric is very soft to the touch, which is ideal for cats to feel that it is a quiet place., warm and cozy for them.
For their part, the scratching posts are made from natural sisal to protect cats’ claws at all times, and the columns are made of compressed cardboard tubes that serve as a robust support for the platforms.
If you are in doubt about which cat scratcher to buy, this Songmics cat scratching tree offers you a good platform for multiple cats, with accessories and games for them to have fun. Review its advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
Accessories: This model offers a wide range of accessories, such as scratching posts, a hammock to rest in, a little house to hide in and a play rope with 3 fur balls.
Platforms: It has four platforms of different sizes so that your cats can sit, scratch or lie down, without having to fight each other for a space.
Materials: The main structure of this scraper is made of MDF wood, to provide robustness and stability to the furniture.
Cons
House: Some users commented that the house is somewhat narrow for adult cats, but this does not affect the functionality of the scratcher.
Todeco Gray
Among all the scratching post models that we have analyzed so far, this Todeco cat scratching tree can be considered the best value for money cat scratching post, because it has five stations and accessories so that your pet feels comfortable and can have fun.
It has a wide base that provides great stability to the entire structure, and as game elements, this model incorporates two hangers at the top to distract the cat, and one of them has a mouse figure to keep its paws active. hunting instincts.
Regarding its materials, we can mention that the entire structure is made of MDF wood, being covered with velvet fabric to provide greater comfort to the cat, while the scratchers are covered with sisal of natural origin so that the cat can scratch its nails properly.
Todeco has been cataloged by many users as the best brand of cat scratchers, thanks to the quality of its products and the variety it offers. Therefore, we present the advantages and disadvantages of one of its scrapers:
Pros
Design: This is a tree design scratcher, elegant and modern that easily adapts to the decoration of your home.
Structure: This model has a structure with four perches for cats and a large hammock for your pet to rest.
Covering: Although the entire structure is made of MDF wood, its covering is completely made of velvet, soft and safe for the cat.
Cons
Assembly: Most users have agreed that the assembly instructions are not very clear, which makes it difficult to anchor the pieces.
Cardboard cat scratchers
Heritage Pet Products Leopard
If you would like to save your furniture from the scratches that your cat makes to satisfy its natural instincts, with this cardboard cat scratcher from the Heritage brand you can help your pet control that need to scratch all the surfaces of the objects that it has. they are at home, since it is among the best cat scratchers of 2022, according to the opinion of many of its users.
This scratching post is made of corrugated cardboard, so it is quite light, making it ideal for the cat to play and have fun. It has a honeycomb-shaped design that makes it very aesthetic and its leopard print allows the scratcher to be included in the decoration of your home without problems.
In addition, it includes a bag of cat grass to sprinkle on the scratching post and facilitate the process of adaptation of the animal to this piece of furniture.
If you still haven’t decided which cat scratcher to buy, this comfortable model from Heritage can be the solution for nail problems with your cats at home, so we summarize its advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
Design: Its comfortable leopard print bed design is very attractive to the cat and fits perfectly in any decoration.
Material: The entire structure of this scraper is made of corrugated cardboard, very light and compact.
Safe: The material with which this scratcher is made is quite safe, since it will not harm the cat’s paws and there is no danger in case of swallowing a piece.
Cons
Humidity: Because it is made of corrugated cardboard, you cannot wash this scratcher with water and must keep it away from humidity, as the material softens and damages the structure of the bed.
Catit Armchair 52419
Another cardboard cat scratcher that you can buy for your kitty is this Armchair-style model from Catit, because it is one of the cheap options that you can find on the market and thanks to its compact size of 40.6 cm in length and its exclusive design, it is ideal to place it in any space of your house to give your spoiled pet a place.
Like the previous product, this model is made of corrugated cardboard, but it is a quality material, capable of withstanding the sharp claws of cats without problems and can last for a long time.
In addition, thanks to its structure, this chair is the ideal surface for the cat to play, stretch, scratch and sharpen its claws. It also includes catnip, so that you impregnate the chair and make it easier for the cat to get used to using it.
Among the cheapest scrapers on the market, this model is presented as a good alternative, because in addition to its low cost, it is a quality product with an attractive design. So review its pros and cons so that your choice is more accurate.
Pros
Presentation: This brand offers this scratcher in four different design presentations, among which the bench, lounge style, armchair and sofa style stand out.
Size: Its comfortable size of 40.6 cm allows you to place this armchair in any room of your house, without taking up much space, giving your cat a safe place.
Material: It is a scratcher made of highly resistant corrugated cardboard, which offers your cat an exclusive surface to sharpen its nails.
Cons
Cardboard: Being a cardboard product, it is normal for small pieces to come off all over the place around the chair, so you have to have the broom at hand to clean.
Other products
Trixie Talk
When we have cats at home, we know that our armchairs, curtains, rugs and sofas are in danger of being scratched, which is why Trixie presents its Parla-type scratching post, as an effective alternative for cats to have a safe surface to spend their nails. In addition, it is considered the best price-quality scraper, according to the opinions of many customers.
It is a product with a post design, which has a square surface with a base that reaches 39.5 centimeters on its sides and on that base there is a 60-centimeter-long scratching tube, covered with sisal rope., quite strong and resistant so that the cat can scratch and sharpen its nails.
For its part, the base is completely upholstered with a velvet-like fabric, which is very soft and pleasant to the touch.
If you want to know which cat scratcher to buy, you can take a look at the positive and negative aspects of this model, which is also one of the cheapest in this selection.
Pros
Height: It is a post-style scratcher that has a height that reaches 62 centimeters in total, a perfect measure to help your cat scratch and stretch without problems.
Base: This scratching post has a 40 x 40 cm base, with a square format, which provides stability to the structure.
Post: The post is about 9 cm thick and is lined with natural sisal so as not to hurt your cat’s claws.
Cons
Simple: This model has a very simple design, missing a rope or a ball so that the cats interact a little more with the post.
Navaris Sisal
For those who are looking for the best cat scratcher, they could consider this model with a protective mat design for the armrests of sofas and armchairs, because it has a practical sisal fiber board so that the cat can easily sharpen its claws without breaking the scratches. furniture of the house.
The function of this scratching liner is to distract the cat and draw its attention away from the furniture and delicate objects in your house, so that it can sharpen its claws without damaging any valuable accessory in your home.
The structure of the mat is quite strong, since the sisal fabric can withstand all the use that the cat gives it to scratch and pass its claws on that surface. While the dark gray fabric part is perfect for camouflaging your furniture, because it is very discreet and adapts to the armrests.
This Navaris model has been cataloged by many users as the best cat scratcher of the moment, thanks to its versatility and the quality of its materials. Here we leave you its pros and cons.
Pros
Design: Its design in the form of a protective mat for the armrests of armchairs and furniture, gives it a discreet style that combines with the furniture in your room.
Versatility: This model is very versatile, since it can be used as a protector for armrests, on the floor, stick it on the wall or on any piece of furniture.
Size: It has a total size of 130 x 45 cm, while the sisal area has an extension of 60 x 45 cm, so the cat will have enough space to sharpen its nails without reaching the furniture.
Cons
Wrinkles: Some users have commented that the product has some wrinkles from the folds of the transfer, which prevents it from looking smooth over the entire surface of the sofa.
Guide to buying a cat scratcher
If you are interested in buying some of these cat scratchers that we have reviewed, it is important to take into consideration certain aspects and characteristics that these accessories must have. So take a look at our guide to buying the best cat scratcher, so you have clear elements to make a smart investment.
Shopping guide
Manufacturing materials
To choose a quality scratching post, it is a priority to review the type of material that is used in its manufacture, since it must be good quality materials that offer a high percentage of resistance to use and to the sharp claws of our feline friends. In addition, they must be safe for their legs and that they will not cause any injury.
Those scratchers made of MDF wood are preferable, since they offer a solid, stable and resistant structure capable of supporting the weight of one or several cats at the same time, since they will constantly go down and up the scratcher.
There are other models made with ecological corrugated cardboard, which have good finishes and keep their structure in place, although they are more docile to the claws of cats, and it is likely that the cardboard ends up scattered throughout the room due to continuous use. animals, but it is also economical, adjusting to people with little budget.
For its part, the area of the scratching post must be made with natural sisal, because this material provides greater security for cats, since the ropes of alternative materials can damage their nails, in addition, the strands of these ropes usually come off and can be dangerous for cats, in case they swallow those threads.
Another aspect to consider is that the rest areas that have the scratching post or in some cases the hammocks incorporated, must be upholstered with soft fabrics that are resistant to the daily activity of the cat and that the threads do not come loose easily.
scraper type
It is also important to consider the type of cat scratcher you plan to buy, taking into account the number of animals you have at home, their breed, the space available for this device and the model you want for your pet.
In the market there are a large number of offers with varied designs and multiple styles. You can find from a simple post-type scratching post without any accessories or platforms, to tree-type models with many platforms so that the cat can climb, exercise and play, as well as large resting areas and different heights from where the cat can observe everything. around it.
There are models that measure about half a meter in height, even those scratchers that exceed 2 meters in height. Although there are other smaller and more compact models, which have the appearance of armchairs or cat beds with a special surface for feline claws.
You can also find models that adapt to the armrests of the furniture, with a part of sisal and another of fabric to camouflage the area that most attracts the attention of cats when they want to scratch their nails on the furniture in the house.
accessories and games
When you make your comparison of scratching posts for cats you will notice that there are models that, in addition to the areas arranged to rest and the scratching posts, have toys that serve to activate the play instinct in feline pets. So, when you go to choose, look for those that come with ropes, balls, mice or other figures that help the felines have fun.
In the case of large cat scratchers, it is usual to see that they include all these accessories, although this can influence how much the product costs and the price is higher, but the simpler models do not have these devices.
Instructions and assembly
Generally, scratching posts require the assembly of all the parts so that it can be used by cats, since it is sent home in its container completely disassembled, but it almost always includes the necessary tools for installation and an instruction manual in the box. where the assembly of the same is explained.
It is important that the assembly of the scraper parts be simple, but in case the installation is complicated, you can find numerous videos on the web where they explain the assembly process step by step, so that the scraper is ready and well armed, so that it can withstand all the jumps and scratches of the animal without losing stability.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How to keep the cat scratcher stable?
It is best to anchor the scraper to the wall through a metal bracket, between two parts or columns, fixing it with union screws to prevent it from moving. Take into account the weight of the cat and that the scratching post is capable of withstanding its movements, because if the cat notices that the scratching post moves, it will not use it for fear of falling.
Q2: How to make a cat scratcher?
Making a cat scratcher is very easy, once you choose the model, you must gather the materials, such as PVC or hard cardboard tubes, wooden plates, rope, fabric, screws and brackets, padding, glue, upholstery stapler. The squares must be placed on the tubes, fixing them with screws so that they are secure, then the tubes are lined with the rope using the glue for it and tightening it at each turn. Next, you have to assemble the structure by fixing the tubes on the wooden plates, you only have to cover the base, as well as the upper platforms in the case of the most complex scratchers.
Q3: How to fix a cat scratcher to the ceiling?
For these cases, there are models that have a tensor that is placed on the ceiling and allows you to adjust the height of the scraper, this tensor can also be installed from the top to give it greater stability. Other models include a hardware with screws and brackets to keep it fixed. In pole-type models, the ideal is that its base is wide and resistant enough so that it does not move, but it can be fixed to the ground so that it has more balance.
Q4: How to clean a cat scratcher?
In the case of the plush fabrics that cover the floors of the platforms in the scratching posts, we can pass the vacuum cleaner over them to eliminate the cat hair adhered to the surface, the dust or the loose fibers of the sisal. In the case of cushions and hammocks, it is advisable to wash them with soap and water to eliminate bad odours. You can also use a vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle, spray the scratching post with that solution to freshen the fabric and remove any unpleasant odors.
Q5: Where to put a cat scratcher?
The place where you place the scratching post is decisive to induce the cat to use this accessory, so it is best to put the scratching post in a space where the cat usually develops, it can be in the dining room or near its resting area. If the cat has a preference for a particular piece of furniture or curtain, you could place the scratching post in that place so that the animal understands that this is where it should scratch.
Q6: Is it worth buying a second-hand cat scratcher?
Ideally, you should buy a new cat scratcher, but if you have no other alternative, you can buy a second-hand scratcher. What you must take into account is that the accessory is in good condition, that the scraper areas retain their original condition and that it is clean. If it is a scraper tree that needs to be assembled, check that all the pieces are complete and that it has the necessary screws to make it stable.
Q7: How to fix a cat scratcher?
The sisal on the scratcher is what usually gets damaged and to fix it you need to buy a good quality sisal, wood glue and scissors. Next, we must cut the old scraper rope and remove it completely, or only the area that is damaged. Now, you have to glue the entire pole to fix the rope, then you have to wrap the rope around the pole, constantly tightening it so that it is fixed and once you have finished, you have to let it dry for 24 hours before giving it back to the cat.
Q8: What is a sofa cat scratcher used for?
The sofa cat scratcher is a liner designed to be placed on the armrests of armchairs and sofas, with one side made of sisal fabric that serves as a scratching surface and the other side has a fabric in neutral colors to camouflage the scratching area. the furniture. The main function of this cover is to divert the cat’s attention from the furniture and armchairs in the house, becoming an integral accessory of the sofa, where the cat can pass its claws without risk of damaging the furniture in your home.
How to use a cat scratcher
The cat scratcher is an important instrument that we must have for our domestic feline, because it is an accessory that will be used to exercise, scratch surfaces, mark its territory, sharpen its nails, among others. But it can be difficult for the cat to get used to using it, so we have made this article with some simple tips on how you can get your cat used to using cat scratchers.
use treats
If it is the first scratcher you buy for your cat, you have to teach him that this is the place where he should sharpen his nails. A good idea is to place treats around the scratching post to attract his attention, inviting him to climb up. You can also gently take it from its paws and gently pass them over the pole, so that the cat can feel the surface and impregnate the entire pole with its scent.
Another option you can use is catnip and spray it through the scratching post, because cats are attracted to that smell and their interest in the toy will be activated.
Run your nails over the post
The cat can also learn to use the scratcher by imitation, so you could run your nails several times during the day over the scratcher, so that the cat listens when you do it, and sees that the device is totally harmless for him, too you can play with the cat until he gets used to it.
scratcher’s place
It is important that the scratching post is well placed to attract your cat’s attention. It is advisable to place it in its favorite place, where it develops socially, or it can also be in the place where the cat is used to scratching the furniture or the curtains, placing the scratcher in that place, so when it scratches in that place again, its smell It will remain on the scraper and when it recognizes it, it will begin to use it.
You should also verify that the place where you are putting the scratcher is calm and pleasant, so that the cat can play in peace and feel good while using its toy, so it is not recommended to place the scratcher near its litter box or the place where it eats.
give him a prize
Cats learn with positive reinforcement, as they do not understand when you are calling their attention, so it is very useful if you reward your cat every time they scratch the scratching post, because that way they will associate the positive reinforcement with the use of the scratching post. The prize can be affection, pampering, a treat, or anything else he likes.
The scraper must be stable
It is important that the cat feels safe when using the scratcher, because if the scratcher wobbles or moves, the cat will not use it. Therefore, we must make sure that the device is stable, verifying that the base is firm and resistant so that it does not move, or we can also fix the pole to a wall.
