7 Best Scratching Posts for Large Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
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If you have a large cat that likes to scratch, you know it can cause quite a bit of damage. It can also be hard to get your cat out of the habit once it starts to scratch in a particular spot. Scratching posts can be a lifesaver if you get them early enough, but with so many different brands available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your cat.
We’ve chosen seven different large cat scratching posts to review for you so you can see the differences between them and learn more about how they work. We’ll tell you about the pros and cons we experienced with each one as well as how they held up to our most aggressive scratchers. We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide where we discuss what you should look for if you continue to shop.
Join us while we look at the size, material, durability, weight, and more to help you make an informed purchase.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher |
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Budget Buy
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Treasborn Wall Cat Scratching |
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Check Price |
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Frisco Cat Scratching Post |
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Check Price |
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Dimaka Ultimate Cat Scratching Post |
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Check Price | |
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PutnPurr Cat Scratching Post |
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Check Price |
The 7 Best Scratching Posts for Large Cats
1. Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher for Large Cats – Best Overall
When it comes to finding comfortable cat furniture that appeals to larger felines, our Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher is by far the best on the market. It’s not exactly a scratching post, but rather a scratcher with an enticing, modern design. The Hi-Lo is made of a solid birch plywood frame that is extremely durable and provides the stability that larger cats require. This scratcher doesn’t just withstand their weight and energy; it thrives under their play.
But what truly makes the Hi-Lo Scratcher perfect for big felines is its three-position setup. With options to scratch high, low, and lower, larger cats get the opportunity to fully stretch out and engage their muscles. It’s more than a tailored workout station that keeps their muscles toned and minds entertained. The dense B-flute cardboard used in the scratching surface offers the ideal resistance for larger claws, making sure they get the satisfaction they crave without compromising the Hi-Lo scratcher’s integrity. So, if you’re a proud owner of a larger-than-life kitty, the Hi-Lo Scratcher is your ultimate go-to for durability, engagement, and all-around feline enjoyment.
- Built sturdy and durable for even the largest cats
- 3-position setup for muscle engagement
- High quality, non-toxic materials
- Keeps your cat entertained
- Ideal resistance for larger claws
- Affordable and stylish
- Only comes in one color
2. Treasborn Wall Cat Scratching– Budget Buy
The Treasborn Wall Cat Scratching is our budget pick for the best scratching post for large cats. It’s a horizontal post that you can also mount to the wall at any angle your cat prefers. The post uses a thick sisal rope that is extremely durable, but you can replace it if you need to. The scratching area is 14 inches long, and it comes with the screws needed to mount it to a wall.
We found the Treasborn scratcher to be extremely sturdy when mounted to a wall, but the screens are rather large and will leave a sizable hole. Most of our cats preferred to scratch it while it was on its side, so there is no need to mount it. The only problem we had was that there are no instructions included, and though we were able to figure it out, some people might have difficulty assembling it.
- Horizontal post
- Wall mountable
- Replaceable
- Sisal rope
- No instructions
3. Frisco Cat Scratching Post
The Frisco Cat Scratching Post is our pick for the best overall scratching post for large cats. It has a 33.5-inch-tall post with a wide 16-inch square base that your cat will have a difficult time knocking over. It has 360-degree dual-textured sisal covering to help entice the cat to scratch the post instead of the furniture. It’s easy to assemble and comes with an instruction booklet.
We were impressed with this Frisco product, and so were most of our cats. Even after several months, the cover remained intact. The post did start to wobble a bit, but it didn’t seem to bother the cats.
- 5 inches tall
- Dual-textured sisal covering
- Easy to assemble
- 16-inch base
- Wobbles
4. Dimaka Ultimate Cat Scratching Post
The Dimaka Ultimate Cat Scratching Post features a 34-inch scratching post with a thick sisal rope wrapped around an eco-friendly cardboard tube. It’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and features a soft, plush base material available in several colors so you can get it to match any décor.
We liked using the Dimaka Ultimate, and most of our cats did as well. The only problems we had were that the base is a little lightweight, so some of our cats could knock it over. Another problem we had was that the post started to wobble slightly after a few weeks.
- 34-inch scratching post
- Eco-friendly cardboard tube
- Multiple colors
- Easy to assemble
- Soft, plush, base material
- Lightweight base
- Starts to wobble
5. PutnPurr Cat Scratching Post
The PutnPurr Cat Scratching Post features an attractive design that resembles a large cat. It has a tall 32.5-inch scratching post that uses a thick and durable sisal rope to create the scratching surface. It has a large 18-inch base that will be difficult for even the largest cats to knock over, and It has a soft covering of plush material. A dangling ball is attached to the top that your cats can play with when they are not scratching.
The downside to the PutnPurr is that it is quite expensive, and several other models are far less costly. It’s also heavy and difficult to move around if you need to transport it to different rooms in your home.
- 5 inches tall
- Attractive cat design
- Plush baseDangling ball
- 18-inch base
- Expensive
- Heavy
6. 4CLAWS Wall Mounted Scratching Post
The 4CLAWS Wall Mounted Scratching Postis another wall mounting brand that can help free up your floor space, or you can leave it on the floor to work like a horizontal scratcher. It provides your cat with an 18-inch scratching surface, and it uses eco-friendly sisal rope wrapped around a cardboard tube. It’s easy to assemble and install and comes with all instructions.
We liked the lightweight aluminum frame of the 4CLAWS, but the sisal quality was lower than many of the other brands on this list, and we quickly noticed that it frayed more. Another problem was the rope was not wrapped tight enough, allowing the cats to pull it down, exposing areas of the tube below.
- Wall mounting
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Eco-friendly sisal
- 18-inch scratching surface
- Rope slides
- Low-grade sisal
7. MidWest Grand Forte Scratching Post– Premium Choice
The MidWest Grand Forte Cat Scratching Post is an oversized, furniture-grade post with a 44-inch-tall post in the center. The post uses a thick sisal rope to create the scratching surface, and the base has a soft faux fur base that will look attractive in any home. It’s easy to assemble, and we had it together in a few minutes.
We loved using the MidWest Grand and were amazed by its large size. Some of our cats took a few weeks to give it a try, but it quickly became their favorite. The only downside we experienced is that it can be in the way in a lot of rooms and it’s quite heavy to move. We also found a few exposed staples that we had to hammer in.
- Oversized post
- Soft faux fur base
- Easy to assemble
- Heavy
- Some staples are exposed
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Scratching Posts for Large Cats
Let’s take a look at the most important things you should look for in a scratching post for large cats if you continue to shop.
Size
Scratching posts aren’t only for sharpening the claws. It’s also important for stretching the back and shoulder muscles of your cat. This stretching is why cats often reach up to the armrests of chairs or curtains and pull down. The larger the cat, the taller the scratching surface you will need.
For large cats, we recommend a scratching post that stands at least 30 inches tall. We tried to list how tall each of the scratching posts is on our list.
Base
As your scratching post gets taller, it will need a wider base to keep it from tipping over while your cat uses it. If the cats tip it over, it could scare them, but more importantly, if it doesn’t allow them to stretch out, your cat will look for a more suitable surface to scratch.
We recommend a base at least 16 inches square for a large cat. However, it’s important to remember that the base’s weight and thickness will also be a factor in how stable it is. A heavy base won’t need to be as wide as a lightweight one.
Scratching surface
Sisal
The most common material you will find used as a scratching surface is sisal. Sisal is a plant fiber similar to rope, and it closely resembles twine. It’s durable and won’t snag on your cat’s claws. If the post uses rope sisal, you can replace it when it wears out, usually with higher quality sisal for only a few dollars, allowing you to keep using the post longer than in the coating were a sisal fabric. We recommend sisal rope for most people unless your cat prefers something else.
Carpet
Carpet is another popular material that you will find on a scratching post, especially those with multiple levels and platforms. The carpet is durable and attractive, but it can also be expensive. Another problem with carpet is that your cat can snag its nails, causing injury.
Cardboard
Cardboard is becoming more popular as a scratching surface for cats. It’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly, so it can be a great choice for many people. If your cat is a light scratcher, it can last quite a while, but a large cat tearing up the furniture can quickly destroy these. Another downside to cardboard posts is that they can make a mess. The scratching creates tiny paper fragments that will spread over the room, creating paper dust that you will need to clean up. We only recommend using this type as a secondary scratching area until you are sure your cat prefers it.
Base Covering
The base covering is not as important as the scratching post covering, and you can choose whatever suits your living environment. Usually, it’s left uncovered to expose the attractive wood, or it has soft, plush carpeting that your pet will enjoy lounging around on.
Mountable Scratching Posts
If you don’t want a large, clunky scratching pad taking up your living room space, you can try out a mountable one. These pads are often much smaller than the 30+ inches we recommend, but you can place them at any height to suit your cat, so you won’t need such a large area. These pads remain largely out of the way and won’t slide around when your pet uses them.
Accessories
There is a wide variety of scratching posts available, and they come in every size and shape imaginable. Some will have several platforms your cat can rest and play on to help keep them entertained and increase their activity level. Many times there may even be dangling balls to swat at or tunnels to explore. These accessories may be fun, but their true value is up to you. A simple scratching post should be sufficient to eliminate ruined furniture and curtains.
Hardware
We want to mention the hardware on these scratching posts because you will often need to assemble it before your cat can use it. It’s important to make sure that it uses recessed screws under the base, or it will wobble when placed on a hard surface, like a wooden floor. It can also scratch the floor if these screws are sticking out, so make sure you check the packaging and online reviews before you buy one. We didn’t have any models on this list that scratched the floor, but we did on some we reviewed just before these, so stay vigilant.
Tips
- If your cat doesn’t use the scratching post, try rubbing some fresh catnip on it to get your cat’s attention.
- If you see your cat scratching a surface it shouldn’t gently pick it up and place it by the post. Sometimes putting their front paws on the post gets your message across to the cat.
- Be patient. Cats have an amazing sense of smell, and it can take months, sometimes years, for an item to smell like home for some cats.
- Sometimes cats scratch due to anxiety or a stressful environment. Commercial calming pheromones can help eliminate stress so your cat can focus on using the scratching pad for pleasure.
- Scratch the pad yourself. Sometimes doing so will help get your message across to the cat.
Conclusion
When selecting a scratching pad for a large cat, we recommend the traditional post. It should be as tall as possible to allow your cat to reach up and pull down, sharpening the claws and stretching and strengthening the muscles. Our pick for the best overall cannot come with a higher recommendation. The Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher’s durable, modern design offers the largest of cats’ stability and promotes exercise by engaging different areas of their body with its unique 3-position setup. Made of high-quality materials, the Hi-Lo Scratcher was built to last and cats can’t seem to get enough of it. The Treasborn Wall Cat Scratching is our budget pick. It’s wall mountable, so it will never get in your way or take up your space, and you can place it at any height that is ideal for your cat. The scratching post is replaceable, and it uses high-quality rope sisal while keeping costs down.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over these reviews and found a few models you think your cat will use. If we have helped you protect your furniture and drapes, please share these seven best scratching posts for large cats on Facebook and Twitter.
Feature Image Credit: EbneRol, Shutterstock
