Does your cat scratch your furniture? Are you looking to protect your sofa from claw marks? Does your carpet have bare patches where your cat has really gone to town? Cats need to scratch, and most people nowadays know that they need a proper outlet for their instincts.
Sisal scratching posts are a great choice for their durability, and most cats love them! The Branch-Out Cat Scratching Post from PetFusion caught our attention for its tree-like design that any house panther would gladly shred instead of your sofa. However, it was hard to narrow down our top ten choices! There are so many practical and pretty designs that both you and your cat will love. So, keep reading and check out our buying guide for tips on choosing a new sisal scratching post.
Any cat owner knows they need to scratch. It's how cats keep their claws healthy and mark their territory. So if you don't want your furniture marked up, sisal is an excellent material to offer your kitty instead!
Sisal comes from the agave plant and is usually harvested in Brazil. Both rope and fabric versions are available. This natural material is generally safe for cats and often comes in different colors, but plain brown is most common. Cats tend to prefer brown because it looks like a tree.
Sisal rope scratching posts are widely available. Their advantage is durability, and they can easily be repaired by winding and gluing new rope. However, as the fibers come off, some are a bit sharp and may cause splinters.
Sisal fabric or carpet is less durable but softens as it's scratched. Both sisal rope and fabric are popular with kitties, so it's really your choice which one you buy. Even better, just get one of each!
It's not really a matter of better or worse, but each material has its pros and cons. The most important thing is to find scratching posts your cat likes and uses.
Carpet tends to get caught in a cat's claws, and you may not want to encourage your cat to scratch something that reminds them of your expensive rugs or carpeting. Cardboard is loved by felines, but it sheds little bits of paper all over.
Another option is actual wood, which is what wild cats naturally scratch most often. But wooden scratching posts are hard to find and usually expensive. Sisal is a good alternative because it matches the texture, shape, and color of a tree well.
There are a lot of highly-reviewed scratching posts on Amazon, so we tried to go beyond the bestsellers and look for unique products that offer something more!
$49.95
Materials | Sisal rope with wooden base |
---|---|
Highlights | 12-month warranty, replacement posts available |
Size | 28" tall |
$49.99
Materials | Sisal rope, jute fiber, fleece, felt, MDF base |
---|---|
Highlights | Adjustable angle scratching pad, teaser toy |
Size | 26" high |
$54.99
Materials | Sisal fabric, polycarbonate base |
---|---|
Highlights | Felt backing to protect furniture |
Size | 24" high, 10" wide |
$28.99
Materials | Sisal rope, chipboard base, plush fabric covering |
---|---|
Highlights | Different textures, teaser toy |
Size | 34" tall |
$38.99
Materials | Woven sisal, wooden frame |
---|---|
Highlights | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Size | 22" high, 5.75" wide |
$39.98
Materials | Sisal rope, carpeting |
---|---|
Highlights | Teaser toy |
Size | 25.6" tall |
$19.99
Materials | Sisal rope, sisal fabric, carpeting, MDF base |
---|---|
Highlights | Teaser toy |
Size | 15.7" long, 12.4 wide, 6.3" tall |
$35.99
Materials | Sisal rope, polyester fabric |
---|---|
Highlights | 3 teaser toys |
Size | 19.25" tall |
$14.84
Materials | Sisal fabric, wooden base |
---|---|
Highlights | Angled |
Size | 15.25" long, 7" wide |
$44.99
Materials | Woven sisal, MDF base |
---|---|
Highlights | 2 colors |
Size | 32" tall |
Image | 1 ![]() PetFusion | 2 ![]() Catry | 3 ![]() Sofa-Scratcher | 4 ![]() Dimaka | 5 ![]() 7 Ruby Road | 6 ![]() PetnPurr | 7 ![]() PAWZ Road | 8 ![]() Petmaker | 9 ![]() SmartyKat | 10 ![]() SmartCat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Branch-Out Cat Scratching Post | Cat Tree Bed | Couch Corner Scratching Post | Ultimate Cat Scratching Post | Scratching Post for Floor or Wall | Cactus Cat Scratcher | Scratching Post and Pad | 3-Pole Cat Scratcher | Sisal Angle Scratcher | Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post |
Features | A Miniature "Tree" for Your Miniature Leopard | Different Textures Attract Your Cat to Leave Their Mark | A Simple Couch Protector That Fits Any Style | The Tallest Scratching Post We Could Find | A Versatile Scratcher for the Wall or Floor | Entice Your Kitty With Different Textures and Shapes | An Interactive Scratching Station for Kittens | A Scratching Post and Sturdy Perch, Plus Toys! | Let Your Cat Work Different Muscles With an Inclined Scratcher | A Sturdy Scratching Post With Corners |
Price | $49.95 | $49.99 | $54.99 | $28.99 | $38.99 | $39.98 | $19.99 | $35.99 | $14.84 | $44.99 |
Materials | Sisal rope with wooden base | Sisal rope, jute fiber, fleece, felt, MDF base | Sisal fabric, polycarbonate base | Sisal rope, chipboard base, plush fabric covering | Woven sisal, wooden frame | Sisal rope, carpeting | Sisal rope, sisal fabric, carpeting, MDF base | Sisal rope, polyester fabric | Sisal fabric, wooden base | Woven sisal, MDF base |
Highlights | 12-month warranty, replacement posts available | Adjustable angle scratching pad, teaser toy | Felt backing to protect furniture | Different textures, teaser toy | 30-day money-back guarantee | Teaser toy | Teaser toy | 3 teaser toys | Angled | 2 colors |
Size | 28" tall | 26" high | 24" high, 10" wide | 34" tall | 22" high, 5.75" wide | 25.6" tall | 15.7" long, 12.4 wide, 6.3" tall | 19.25" tall | 15.25" long, 7" wide | 32" tall |
Link |
The most important things when choosing any pet product are safety and durability (and sometimes cuteness). Let's look at those in more detail.
A lot of sisal scratching posts have similar designs that are nearly indistinguishable from each other. Instead of going by appearance or relying on the manufacturer's description, dive into the user reviews to make sure you're buying a quality product.
The rope used for scratching posts is usually 1/4 or 3/8 inch sisal. 1/4-inch is less durable because it's thinner, but it's easier to use for repairs because it's more flexible. Manila and hemp rope are also available, and there's not much difference between them all.
Sisal fabric is sometimes called sisal carpeting, but for scratching posts it's a bit tougher. It's still less durable than rope, but it sheds less, too.
Regardless of the outer material, many scratchers have a core. Some are heavy-duty cardboard tubes, which are obviously not good for outdoor use. If you want a scratching post for a catio look for one with a heavy wood core.
Cats pull really hard when they scratch; remember, the whole point of scratching is to remove their old dull outer-claw sheath. A top-heavy or unstable scratching post can scare the cat and make them lose interest, or worse, cause injury.
For an uprights scratcher, look for a low center of gravity and heavy base. For other shapes, see if it can be fastened securely to a wall or the floor. Some are designed so the weight of a cat sitting on it keeps it in place.
Many people think of a "post" shape, naturally, but in addition to tree-like objects, cats love to scratch in different positions, too!
Vertical posts are great tree substitutes. They let your house panther get a full stretch! It's recommended to get a post that is 20 inches tall for kittens and about 40 inches for adult cats. Of course, taller posts need wide, stable bases.
Shorter heights are fine for a horizontal or angled post. It's a great idea to offer a variety of shapes, as they work different muscle groups when your cat scratches.
A lot of cat trees come with sisal rope posts, but many scratchers have extra features that can attract your cat and keep it busy.
If you get one with a hammock or toys, look for ones that are sturdy and safe. It's hard to predict what your cat will like, but for kittens, almost any dangling toy will do! You can even consider a DIY addition if you have a toy, some string, and a staple gun!
Another fun feature for your cat is materials and surfaces which can act as "scent-soakers." If you're a fan of Jackson Galaxy, you've heard him talk about how cats feel secure when they smell themselves in their territory. (That's why they rub on your legs, too!) Look for absorbent surfaces your cat might enjoy rubbing on while scratching.
The whole point is to save your furniture, walls, and carpets, so you need to convince your kitty that the great scratching post you bought just for them is a better choice!
Absolutely consider the location first. If your cat has attempted to scratch your sofa before, put a scratching post in front of the couch. Try putting it near their favorite sleeping spot so they can use it for a good stretch when they wake up.
As scratching is also a territorial behavior, it's a good idea to have posts in areas where they can leave their mark as a sign of their presence. Cats' paws have scent glands, so they leave a message to other cats anywhere they walk or scratch.
Examples of territorially-significant areas include places where humans and other animals pass by, such as hallways and doorways. The bedroom is important to a cat because your smell is strong there, so they love to mix in their scent by scratching something in the bedroom.
Most of the time, it's not hard to get a cat interested in a new scratching post. You can also try rubbing some catnip on it! Give them time and just let them check it out. Oddly enough, though, if you act like you're using it yourself, sometimes they'll get the message!
Now that your cat is leaving your furniture unscathed, treat them to some other things they need and enjoy!
Hopefully, if you were considering declawing, you now see that it's not an alternative. A good scratching post, or five, will keep you and your cat happy. This instinctive behavior is a sign that your cat is secure and healthy, so embrace it!
There are so many designs and styles, a scratcher can even add to your home decor. We hope this guide helps you choose the perfect sisal post for your floof!
Author: Susan Lucier-Ogawa
Household goods
Home electronics, PC, camera
Cosmetics and skincare
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications