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10 Best Scratching Posts for Kittens in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Emma Stenhouse Profile Picture

By Emma Stenhouse

Cat sharpens its claws on scratching post

Kittens are jam-packed full of energy, so if you’re about to welcome one of these tiny balls of fluff into your home, you’ll need plenty of toys to entertain them! Investing in a scratching post is an incredibly sensible decision. Training your kitten to use one of these as early as possible will save your furniture, while still allowing your kitten the opportunity to stretch their muscles and clean their nails!

Our reviews are designed to help make it easy for you to select the best scratching post for your kitten. Adding a scratching post to your home will help keep your kitten happy and healthy by making it as easy as possible for them to carry out essential behaviors.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher
  • Adjustable to three positions
  • Sturdy cardboard construction
  • Cardboard is replaceable
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy With Catnip Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy With Catnip
  • 2-in-1 design
  • Scratch pad with a ball to chase
  • Catnip
  • Third place
    Tiger Tough Castle Playground Corrugated Cat Scratcher Tiger Tough Castle Playground Corrugated Cat Scratcher
  • Big playground with multiple play areas
  • Sustainable materials
  • Multiple surfaces
  • Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post
  • Multiple surfaces and textures
  • Sturdy design
  • Two By Two The Elm Jute Cat Scratching Post Two By Two The Elm Jute Cat Scratching Post
  • Low height for kittens
  • Multiple toys
  • Sturdy construction
  • The 10 Best Scratching Posts for Kittens

    1. Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher – Best Overall

    tony and cheetah playful kittens on the hepper hi-lo cat scratcher

    Dimensions: 24.5 x 14 x 6 inches
    Weight: 11.35 pounds
    Materials: Cardboard, birch plywood

    Our Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher is the best overall scratching post for kittens. It combines modern aesthetics with functionality making it a must-have for new kitten owners! The contemporary hi-lo design offers your new fur friend three levels of play that will keep them engaged at every stage of their life. The solid birch plywood frame is sturdy and enticing, encouraging daily exercise and providing a safe place to scratch – a welcomed distraction from your carpet and furniture! The B-flute cardboard center is a great place for your kitten to climb, stretch and claw. Hepper also supplies replacement cardboard inserts if and when you need them, saving you from having to buy multiple expensive posts. However, it only comes in a single color which may be a downside for pet owners who like a splash of color.

    All in all, we think our Hepper Hi-lo Scratcher is the perfect addition to any cat-parent home and the best scratching post for kittens available today!

    You might have guessed, this is our own product – but we love it so much we just have to share it, and hope you get to own one too!

    Pros
    • Adjustable to three positions
    • Sturdy birch frame
    • Durable, thick cardboard designed to last
    • Modern
    • Replacement cardboard inserts available
    • Promotes exercise

    Cons
    • Only comes in one color


    2. Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy With Catnip– Budget Buy

    Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy with Catnip

    Dimensions: 16″W x 16″D x 2″H
    Weight: 17 pounds
    Materials: Plastic, cardboard

    The Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy with Catnip is another great scratching post for kittens. Though not technically a post, it’s a low-profile scratcher that allows your kitten to chase and bat with a rolling ball and track. Corrugated cardboard is fun for your kitten to shred and will satisfy their scratching urges.

    The scratcher has added catnip to keep your kitten interested in the scratcher and prolong playtime to relieve energy and prevent destructive habits from forming. It takes about six to eight months for kittens to develop a sense for catnip, however, so it may not work under that age. This scratcher may not appeal to an older cat, so it’s mainly just for the kitten period.

    Pros
    • 2-in-1 design
    • Scratch pad with a ball to chase
    • Catnip

    Cons
    • May only be appropriate for kittens
    • Catnip doesn’t work on young kittens


    3. Tiger Tough Castle Playground Corrugated Cat Scratcher

    Tiger Tough Castle Playground Corrugated Cat Scratcher

    Dimensions: 5″W x 20″D x 55.75″H
    Weight: 8 pounds
    Materials: Cardboard

    The Tiger Tough Castle Playground Corrugated Cat Scratcher has a full “playground” of scratching surfaces, hiding cubbies, and lounge areas. Made completely from recycled materials, this scratching playground is a sustainable choice that your pet can use from kitten into adulthood.

    Each wall is doubled corrugated scratching surfaces with different thicknesses to hold up to your kitten’s play. You can customize the outside or leave it blank, and there are plenty of spots for hanging toys. Each playground comes with catnip to entice more playtime out of your kitten. Though this is a fun toy, it may be a bit much for some cat owners.

    Pros
    • Big playground with multiple play areas
    • Sustainable materials
    • Multiple surfaces

    Cons
    • Expensive


    4. Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post

    2Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post

    Dimensions: 77″W x 13.77″D x 22″H
    Weight: 84 pounds
    Materials: Sisal, faux fur

    The Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post has a cute cactus design that’s perfect for kittens. There are plenty of unique scratching surfaces to scratch, climb, pay, and stretch. The top and bottom of the cactus have plush fabric that kittens love to snuggle in, while the rest of the cactus provides the rough, satisfying surfaces to indulge their scratching urges.

    With a stable base, this scratching post can stand up to abuse as your kitten grows. It may even last through kittenhood to adulthood. Replacement parts aren’t available, however, so you will need to replace the whole post when it wears out.

    Pros
    • Multiple surfaces and textures
    • Sturdy design

    Cons
    • Must be replaced when it wears out


    5. Two By Two The Elm Jute Cat Scratching Post

    Two By Two The ElmJute Cat Scratching Post

    Dimensions: 4″W x 13.4″D x 19.7″H
    Weight: 1 pounds
    Materials: Engineered wood

    The Two By Two The Elm Jute Cat Scratching Post is perfect for kittens with its low height and engaging design. It features a pom-pom toy dangling from the top adds an extra dose of silly playtime, as well as small toys at the base with bells. Your kitten can play, climb, jump, or stretch on the sturdy jute-wrapped post.

    The entire post is made of engineered wood for strength and durability that may last into your kitten’s adulthood. Unfortunately, there are no replacement parts for this scratching post, so you have to buy a whole new one if the jute gets worn or the toys come off.

    Pros
    • Low height for kittens
    • Multiple toys
    • Sturdy construction

    Cons
    • No replacement parts


    6. Penn-Plax Disney 14-in Felt Cat Scratching Post With Toy

    Penn-Plax Disney 14-in Felt Cat Scratching Post

     

    • Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 14 inches
    • Weight: 9 pounds
    • Materials: Sisal and felt

    If you love Disney, then you might not be able to resist the Penn-Plax Disney 14-in Felt Cat Scratching Post With Toy! This adorable scratching post has an integrated perching platform, hiding hole, and a sweet plush toy in a contrasting color. Of course, there’s plenty of Mickey Mouse styling touches too!

    This is a great choice for a kitten, but the scratching post is quite short and the sisal section is small. Despite that, this is nicely weighted so it shouldn’t tip over, and we bet that any cat will love napping and playing around this.

    Pros
    • Easy to assemble
    • High-quality materials
    • Includes platform and hiding hole
    Cons
    • Short
    • Expensive

    7. Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post

    Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post

     

    • Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 24 inches
    • Weight: 5 pounds
    • Materials:Sisal

    If you’re looking for a way to keep your kitten’s claws away from your furniture, then the Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post is a great choice. This contoured post is designed to sit around the arm of your sofa, allowing your kitten to indulge in natural scratching behavior while keeping your sofa protected!

    You can choose from six colors, all of which are made using a high-quality sisal fabric that kittens love. You can only use this scratching post with furniture, as it needs the weight to remain stable. It’s also expensive, but it is ideal as a secondary scratching option if your kitten likes variety.

    Pros
    • Choose from six colors
    • Made in the U.S.A.
    • Vet approved
    Cons
    • Must be used with furniture
    • Expensive

    8. Cat Craft 42 Bobcat Cat Scratcher

    Cat Craft 42 Bobcat Cat Scratcher

     

    • Dimensions: 19.25 x 19.25 x 42 inches
    • Weight: 12.5 pounds
    • Materials: Faux fur

    If you’ve got a tiny kitten but you know that they’re going to grow into a large cat, then the Cat Craft 42 Bobcat Cat Scratcher is a great choice. This super-tall scratcher is tall enough for even the biggest cats, like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest Cats. At 42 inches tall, this is the largest cat scratcher on this list.

    It includes two toys to keep your kitten entertained, one toy attached to the top of the post and another on a spring attached to the base. See if your kitten can reach the one on the top. Thanks to the weighted base, you don’t need to worry about this scratching post toppling over.

    Pros
    • Easy to assemble
    • Tall
    • High-quality materials
    Cons
    • Expensive

    9. SmartCat The Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post

    SmartCat The Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post

     

    • Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 32 inches
    • Weight: 16 pounds
    • Materials: Sisal

    The SmartCat The Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post is a chunky and well-made scratching post that should last your kitten well into adulthood. It’s available in two neutral colors, grey and beige, and is covered with a woven sisal material that kittens love. The top is large enough that your kitten can use it as a perch, and the weighted base means this shouldn’t tip over.

    This is easy to assemble, and at 32 inches high, your kitten will be able to stretch to their full height, which is essential as they develop and test their muscles. This minimal styled post doesn’t include a toy, but you could easily add your own.

    Pros
    • Choose from two colors
    • Chunky design
    • Good height
    Cons
    • No toy

    10. Lovely Caves Sunflower Cat Scratching post

    Lovely Caves Sunflower Cat Scratching Post

    • Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 18 inches
    • Weight: 4 pounds
    • Materials: Felt, rope, and artificial turf

    If you’re looking for a fun and whimsical scratching post to add a touch of color to your home, then the Lovely Caves Sunflower Cat Scratching Post is going to be a winner. This bright sunflower-themed scratching post has a woven sisal post and a sisal center, encouraging your kitten to experiment with scratching on different surfaces and textures.

    The sisal post is a little difficult for your kitten to access, and the overall post is short at only 18 inches tall. You may find that you need to upgrade this to a taller post as your kitten grows up, as they may knock this over once big. But while they’re tiny, this is a great deal of fun!

    Pros
    • Fun design
    • Good value for money
    • Includes two scratching surfaces
    Cons
    • A bit too short

    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Scratching Posts for Kittens

    A scratching post should be high up on your list of essential items for a new kitten, but how do you know which one to choose?

    Why do kittens need a scratching post?

    Scratching is an essential behavior for cats, and they start experimenting when they’re still tiny kittens! Scratching cleans a kitten’s claws by removing the outer dead layer, revealing the new claw underneath. It also helps your kitten tone and stretch their muscles, so it’s important that a scratching post is tall enough for them to fully stretch out on. Stretching helps kitten’s release stress and any anxiety. It’s also a way for them to mark their territory using the pheromones found on their paw pads.

    Frisco 21-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post

    Important features of a scratching post for kittens

    Before you choose a scratching post, consider these important features:

    • Height – A scratching post needs to be tall enough that your kitten can stretch out to their full height. While a scratching post for a kitten can be quite short, you might decide to buy the tallest one that you can afford so it can last them well into adulthood. The best height for a scratching post is 32 inches.
    • Weighted base – If a kitten feels like their scratching post is going to topple over when they lean their weight on it, they won’t feel secure enough to use it. We all know that kittens love to play, so many kittens also like climbing their scratching posts! Look for a scratching post with a heavily weighted base.
    • Material quality – The most popular material for scratching posts is sisal rope or fabric, and that’s because kittens love it! You can also find posts covered with different materials, like plush fabric, faux fur, or carpet. A word of warning against carpet-covered scratching posts: They can encourage your cat to scratch other carpeted areas in your house since it’s hard for them to tell the difference between what’s okay for them to scratch and what’s not.

    Conclusion

    The Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher is the best overall scratching post for kittens because it’s a product that will grow with them and last a lifetime. It’s designed to encourage their natural scratching instincts but in a healthy and safe way! If you want value, the Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy with Catnip is a low-profile scratching pad with a rolling ball and track to encourage play. If you really want to splurge, the Tiger Tough Castle Playground Corrugated Cat Scratcher has a range of scratching surfaces and hiding areas for playtime.


    Feature Image Credit: Evgenia Terekhova, Shutterstock

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