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 would be even better. In addition, if your cat doesn’t have an appropriate outlet, believe us, your furniture will pay the price, which is another reason that a scratching post (or two or three) is a must-have.
You can opt for a traditional scratching post or ex
plore 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 rounded up reviews of highly rated items for you to check out.
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026
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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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Frisco 21-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post with Toy |
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Frisco 32-in Real Carpet Wooden Cat Tree with Toy |
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SmartCat the Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post |
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Frisco 20-in Faux Fur Cat Tree |
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The 10 Best Scratching Posts for Kittens
1. Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher – Best Overall
| Material: | Birch plywood, non-toxic glass coating, powder-coated metal core, B-flute cardboard |
| Dimensions: | Not mentioned by manufacturer |
| Special features: | 3 positions |
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. 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.
- Solid plywood frame
- Extra thick cardboard for durability
- Three angles
- Stylish design
- Doubles up as a lounger
- Cardboard debris may be messy
2. Frisco 21-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post With Toy – Budget Buy
| Material: | Cardboard (post), sisal, plush material (base) |
| Dimensions: | 21 inches high, 12 x 12 inches (base) |
| Special features: | Pom pom toy |
Frisco 21-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post With Toy is the best scratching post for kittens for the money 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.
- Affordable
- Suitable for small homes
- Various color options
- Toy attached
- May not be sturdy enough for adult cats
3. Frisco 32-in Real Carpet Wooden Cat Tree With Toy
| Material: | Household-grade carpet, wood |
| Dimensions: | 20 x 20 x 32 inches |
| Special features: | Hanging toy, two platforms |
The Frisco 32-in Real Carpet Wooden Cat Tree With Toy doubles 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.
- Two perches
- Posts made of wood
- Thick carpet covering
- Made in the USA
- Comes with a toy
- Some customers have mentioned a strong chemical smell
4. SmartCat the Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post
| Material: | Sisal, wood, plant material |
| Dimensions: | 16 x 16 x 32 inches |
| Special features: | Soft top perch available for extra purchase |
The SmartCat the Ultimate 32-in 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.
- Suitable for cats of all ages
- Two color options (gray and beige)
- Sturdy design
- Good for stretching
- Assembly screws included
- May be too large for tiny kittens
5. Frisco 20-in Faux Fur Cat Tree
| Material: | Wood, faux fur, sisal, plant material, synthetic fabric |
| Dimensions: | 22 x 22 x 20 inches |
| Special features: | Hammock, pom pom toys |
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-in 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.
- Multiple color options
- Hammock at the top
- Not too large
- Inexpensive
- Too small for some adult cats
6. SmartyKat Scratch Scroll Cat Scratcher
| Material: | Sisal, natural fabric |
| Dimensions: | 18.5 x 11.42 x 7.09 inches |
| Special features: | Feather toy |
If you’re looking for something a little different, the SmartyKat Scratch Scroll Cat Scratcher 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.
- Ideal for lounging, stretching, and scratching
- Built to last
- Affordable
- Unique design
- The feather toy may be quickly destroyed
7. Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post
| Material: | Wood, plant material, sisal, synthetic fabric |
| Dimensions: | 19.29 x 19.29 x 22 inches |
| Special features: | Pom pom toy |
For those on the hunt for something delightfully quirky, you might like the Frisco Cactus Cat 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.
- Quirky design
- Space-saving size
- Comes with a pom pom toy
- Two size options (22-inch and 31-inch)
- May be too small for large or determined cats
8. Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Bowl
| Material: | Cardboard, paper |
| Dimensions: | 15.66926 x 15.66926 x 4.7244 inches |
| Special features: | Replaceable scratching pad can be purchased separately |
This Necoichi 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.
- Made from recycled paper
- For both sleeping and scratching
- Attractive, unique design
- Two color choices to match to decor
- May unwind easily
- Pricey
9. Frisco Wall Sisal Cat Scratcher
| Material: | Wood, faux fur, sisal, plant material, synthetic fabric |
| Dimensions: | 19.29 x 9.05 x 1.18 inches (small size—other options are available) |
| Special features: | Can be mounted on the wall |
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 Cat 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.
- Ideal for cats who scratch walls
- Can be mounted or laid down
- Two color options (gray and cream)
- Multiple size options are available
- The adhesive may not be strong enough—drilling may be required
10. Two by Two the Elm 19-7-in Jute Cat Scratching Post
| Material: | Wood, felt, synthetic fabric |
| Dimensions: | 13 x 13.4 x 19.7 inches |
| Special features: | Toys included |
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 the Elm 19-7-in Jute Cat 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.
- Ball in the base
- Not too pricey
- Pom pom toy attached
- Reviewed as easy to assemble
- May be too flimsy for some cats
- Bell sounds might be annoying for some
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.
- Think about how determined a scratcher your kitten is—will a standard post be enough or will they need something extra durable?
- Which areas does your kitten target for scratching? If it’s the wall, a wall-mounted scratcher may be best.
- How many kittens do you have? Will the scratching post you have in mind be able to withstand multiple kittens attacking it?
- Does your cat have mobility issues? If so, you might want to get them a scratching product that can be laid down on the ground.
- Cardboard scratching posts may be messier than sisal-covered ones.
- Scratching posts with extras like perches and hammocks may offer you the chance to save money you would otherwise spend on separate products.
- Ideally, you’ll want to get a scratching post that your kitten can continue to use when they’re an adult. Not all are strong enough for adult cats, especially large breeds.
- Large cat trees with scratching posts may be too much of a challenge for tiny kittens, so something smaller may be necessary.
- Extra-large scratch posts may be scary for 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.
Our Best Scratching Posts for Kittens Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the Best Scratching Posts for Kittens. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about Scratching Posts for Kittens. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
In this roundup of reviews, 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.
Featured Image Credit: Amerigo_images, Shutterstock
