Scratching is a natural need for cats so before you bring your new kitten home, it’s a good idea to invest in at least one good scratching post, but a few dotted around your home is even better. In addition, if your cat doesn’t have an appropriate outlet, believe us, your furniture will pay the price, another reason why a scratching post (or two or three) is a must-have.

You can opt for a traditional scratching post or explore other kinds of scratchable objects in various shapes, sizes, and styles, some of which offer extra entertainment by way of toys and platforms. If you’re not sure what kind would be best for your kitten, we’ve rounded up a range of highly reviewed items for you to check out.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Scratching Posts for Kittens

1. Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher – Best Overall

Disclaimer: At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company.

We’ve chosen the Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher as our best overall scratching post for kittens on this occasion. This sophisticated scratcher can be adjusted to three different positions ranging from low (which is also ideal for lounging on) to high—a design that helps keep the cat mentally stimulated and gives various muscles a workout as they scratch from different angles.

The Hi-Lo scratcher is made from plywood and thick B-flute cardboard that’s built to last, but if the cardboard turns out to be no match for your determined kitty, you can purchase replacement cardboard. Customer reviews attest to this product’s quality and sturdiness and the stylish design is also appreciated.

The only con mentioned is that the cardboard debris can make a bit of a mess, but customers also said they don’t consider this to be a huge deal.

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2. Frisco 21-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post with Toy – Budget Buy

Frisco’s 21-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post is our best value-for-money pick thanks to its low price and largely positive reviews. This simple 21-inch scratch post is made of cardboard wrapped in sisal with a plush covering on the base and comes with a pom pom toy attached. It comes in five colors: brown, cream, cheetah, gray, and aqua, so you can match it to your decor if you wish.

A large percentage of customers are happy with this scratch post, describing it as easy to put together and ideal for small spaces. On the other hand, some say it’s too lightweight and easy to tip over for adult cats, but it might be fine for kittens or light scratchers.

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3. Frisco 32-in Real Carpet Wooden Cat Tree with Toy

Another Frisco product, the 32-inch Real Carpet Wooden Cat Tree doubles up as a lounger and scratching post. The two main pillars are sisal-covered for scratching, but these join together two different-sized, carpeted platforms measuring 14.5 (w) by 19 (l) inches and 20 (w) x 13 (l) inches respectively. This is ideal if you have two kittens, but beware: A battle for the top perch may break out!

Reviews are mostly excellent with several customers praising the comfort, quality, and sturdiness. One customer even mentioned that it can comfortably fit large cats, too. As for the cons, some customers mention a noticeable chemical smell out of the box that lingers even after airing.

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4. SmartCat the Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post

The SmartCat Ultimate 32-inch Sisal Cat Scratching Post is pretty large but suitable for all life stages. Better yet, your kittens will still be able to use it as adults. Its solid base helps to keep it in place and prevent accidents from tipping over, and there’s a little platform on top for cats to perch on if they fancy a climb. A post perch is available to be bought separately if you want to make the top comfier.

Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Judging by these, the SmartCat post is stable even when used by large cats. Some customers also mention how it’s great for allowing cats to really get a good stretch because it’s so big and sturdy. That said, a post of this size may be better suited to older kittens that are a few months old rather than tiny ones. Some may need more time to grow into it.

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5. Frisco 20-in Faux Fur Cat Tree

Your kitten might be too small for immense cat trees with multiple condos at the moment, but they can get some practice in with a smaller model. We chose the Frisco 20-inch Faux Fur Cat Tree with pom pom balls because it’s not overwhelmingly big, so can offer kittens a chance to scratch and practice climbing to the hammock on the top. It comes in four color choices: black, cheetah, gray, and ivory.

Customers are impressed by the subtle size which is ideal for smaller spaces and the overall quality of the product. Those running multiple cat-households have said that it’s a good option for cats who need a bit of time to themselves. As for the not-so-good reviews, some say that it’s too small for larger cats, so your kitten might grow out of it after a while.

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6. SmartyKat Scratch Scroll Cat Scratcher

If you’re looking for something a little different, the SmartyKat Scratch Scroll with its rolling design for lounging, stretching, and scratching all at once is an alternative to traditional scratching posts. It’s covered in sisal and carpet and comes with a feathery toy attached. It’s designed to stand up to determined scratchers, something many customers have attested to.

Customers also say that the SmartKat Scratch Scroll has been well-received by kittens and adult cats alike and that it effectively prevents furniture scratching. However, some have commented that the feather toy gets pulled off and destroyed quickly and that they think another kind of toy would be more suitable.

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7. Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post

For those on the hunt for something delightfully quirky, you might like the Frisco Cactus Scratching Post. The post itself is covered in sisal, but instead of the usual plush fabric you get on scratch posts and cat trees, the base and top are covered in a mop-like material to give it a more authentic look. It comes with a hanging pom pom toy to play with.

The Frisco cactus has done well in terms of customer reviews with lots of praise for its sturdiness and non-traditional design. Bear in mind that some customers have mentioned that the cactus is small, so doesn’t offer much opportunity for stretching out fully and may be too small for some adult cats. If you really like this design but have large cats, you might want to consider the 31-inch option.

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8. Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Bowl

This Neochoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Bowl is one of the most unique designs we’ve come across, and we love the originality. It’s made with recycled paper, has a cute cat motif, comes in dark cherry and oak colors (which blend nicely with wooden furniture), and is designed to offer cats a place to snuggle up in as well as scratch. The scratching pad can be replaced, if need be, but bear in mind that you need to buy replacements separately.

Several customers love the way this scratching bowl looks, describing it as stylish and attractive. It has also been described as well-made, though some point out that it’s quite pricey for cardboard and some say that the material unwinds too easily.

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9. Frisco Wall Sisal Cat Scratcher

If your kitten has an affinity for wall scratching and your wallpaper is getting a raw deal, you might want to consider a mounted wall scratch post like the Frisco Wall Sisal Scratcher. A few of the main benefits of wall scratchers are that they can’t be tipped over and can also be laid out on the floor if you want to change things up a bit or get multiple posts for different areas in your home.

As some customers pointed out, another clever trick is to mount a scratch post on either side of a corner for cats that have a thing for corners specifically—yep, that happens. Others have commented that the wall posts are ideal for getting a big stretch in. As for the cons, some say the adhesive provided isn’t strong enough, so if this happens, you may need to drill into the wall.

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10. Two by Two the Elm 19-7-in Jute Cat Scratching Post

This isn’t just a scratch post—it’s a kitty playground. While most scratching posts only come with a hanging toy, this one also has a ball for your cat to bat around through gaps in the base. Though this may be entertaining for your cat, bear in mind that it might be annoying for you as the ball contains a bell. The scratch post itself is sisal-covered and stands 19.7 inches tall.

Judging by reviews, customers like that the Two by Two scratching post comes with a ball that can’t be removed by crafty cats, that the post itself is sturdy even when kittens climb on top of it, and that it’s easy to assemble. On the other hand, some describe it as flimsy so once your kitten is older, they may need something more solid.

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

Since scratching posts aren’t all made equal, you’ll need to factor in certain things to make sure you’re picking the right one for your kitten or kittens.

On a final note, if you opt for a scratching post that comes with hanging toys, keep an eye out to make sure your kitten doesn’t get tangled in the string or rope as this could be dangerous. If you’re worried, you can always cut the hanging toys off.

Conclusion

In this roundup based, we’ve looked at some very diverse products. These include our best overall pick, the Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher which can be manipulated into three different positions; our best value choice, the affordable and highly-reviewed Frisco 21-inch Sisal Scratching Post; and the comfy, multi-tiered Frisco 32-inch Real Carpet Wooden Cat Tree, which was our premium pick.

We selected these products based on their diversity of style and largely outstanding customer reviews, and we hope our selections have made it easier for you to decide on the best scratching post for your kitten’s needs.

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Featured Image Credit: MarinaTr, Shutterstock