It’s common knowledge that cats will scratch almost anything that feels good against their claws, with some of their favorite scratching surfaces being precious furniture and upholstery.

Scratching is instinctual to cats, even among those in the wild. Therefore, without a dedicated scratcher, your cat will look for anything that can serve the purpose. This means that a cat scratcher is a must-have tool if you share your living space with a cat.

Cat scratchers come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. The most common ones include wood, sisal, and cardboard. Out of those options, cardboard cat scratchers are usually the least expensive.

Cardboard cat scratchers can vary considerably in quality, design, and effectiveness. Therefore, finding the best cardboard scratcher might not be as easy as you would wish.

Fortunately, we have done the legwork for you. The following are reviews of the 10 best cardboard cat scratchers on the market today.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Cardboard Cat Scratchers

1. Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher – Best Overall

When searching for the perfect scratcher for your kitty, one thing you should take into consideration is their preferred scratching angle. Previously, this involved trial and error with various scratcher styles, resulting in unnecessary spending and a lot of waste.

To address this issue, Hepper introduced and revamped the Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher, a perfect solution that allows angle reconfiguration to match your cat’s liking. With 3 adjustable positions, from high to low to lower, it keeps your kitty entertained and agile, while seamlessly complementing the décor in any room.

Constructed with B-flute cardboard on a birch plywood frame, the Hepper Hi-Lo ensures your cat’s health with non-toxic materials. The cardboard is thick, meaning that it will take a while before you need to replace the cardboard (though Hepper does have cardboard replacements available for purchase, making this scratcher everlasting). It is more expensive than some of the other options on our list, but we think it is worth the investment because, with other cardboard scratchers, the whole thing becomes garbage once they are scratched up. For all of these reasons, we think the Hi-Lo is the best cardboard cat scratcher you’ll find.

At Excited Cats, 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!

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2. SmartyKat Scratch Up Hanging Cat Scratcher – Budget Buy

If you are on a tight budget, we recommend this cardboard scratcher by SmartyKat.

First off, the Scratch Up Hanging cat scratcher is made in the USA, meaning that you can be sure of its quality. Secondly, it has a simple yet incredibly effective design that your cat will be drawn to immediately.

This scratcher can be hung from various surfaces, including the doorknob. If you know anything about cats’ scratching habits, then you know they love combining scratching with stretching. Therefore, by simply hanging this scratcher, your cat will instinctively give it a try while getting a stretch, as they would with a tree. All that without having to buy an expensive cat tree, or having to lure your cat into trying it out.

Nonetheless, if your cat is the stubborn type, the manufacturer has thrown in some organic catnip that you can sprinkle on the Scratch Up to get your pet interested.

What’s more, once it is worn completely, simply remove the back to reveal a new scratching surface. Talk about getting your money’s worth! And did we say that you can also place the Scratch Up on the floor if your cat prefers doing their scratching on level surfaces? The possibilities are endless.

The only issue we have with this product is that it is rather flimsy. Cats prefer a steady surface, which this scratcher is not. With that said, we still believe that the SmartyKat Scratch Up is one of the best cardboard scratchers for the money.

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3. Scratch Lounge Cardboard Cat Scratcher

The Scratch Lounge scratcher is our favorite budget cardboard scratcher for many reasons. For starters, it comes with a unique design that offers more than a scratching surface. It also acts as a nest, which will indulge your feline’s love for squeezing itself into smaller spaces.

The cardboard used to make this scratcher is made from recycled paper. This means that it allows you to not only provide your cat with a place to exercise its natural instincts but also to be environmentally friendly while at it.

Some cats tend to be leery of new things. To make it irresistible, the Scratch Lounge scratcher comes with a sachet of catnip. Simply sprinkle some of the catnip on the scratcher to draw your cat to it.

Another thing we love about this scratcher is its longevity. This design allows you to turn over the scratching surface to reveal a brand new one. Therefore, do not start sweating once the original surface starts showing signs of wear.

Nonetheless, the Scratch Lounge scratcher is one of the pricier options on the market. Additionally, larger cats might not be able to fit into it.

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4. District 70 Sardine Cardboard Cat Scratcher – Premium Choice

It seems as though District 70 had both you and your cat’s interests in mind when creating this scratcher. The Sardine is both a cat house and scratcher, allowing your cat to hide inside when it is not feeling social. Additionally, it is incredibly stylish, making for a unique piece of interior décor.

The Sardine has a large scratching surface area, which makes it a great choice for cats of all sizes. We also love that it is made from eco-friendly corrugated cardboard, which not only feels great against your kitty’s claws but also does not contain any harmful constituents.

Unlike most cardboard scratchers, the Sardine is sturdy, meaning it does not wobble or tip easily. This makes it even more appealing to cats, as they do not like unstable scratching surfaces.

Its multi-purpose design allows your cat to climb on it, lay on top of it, or hide inside when it feels sleepy.  And it comes with two doors for your cat’s convenience.

Even though this scratcher is one of the more expensive cardboard options, you will appreciate its value proposition. Your cat gets a multi-purpose toy while you get to update your interior. It is a win-win.

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5. Catit Bench Scratcher with Catnip

Some of the best things in life are simple in nature or design. The Bench Scratcher by Catit is a good example of that. It features a simple design consisting of a lounge on two legs.

If your cat is like any other, it means that it is always on the lookout for the best place to kick back and relax. The Catit Bench Scratcher offers just that. If the animal feels like stretching and scratching, the durable cardboard construction has them covered.

Another great thing about this scratcher is that it does not take up lots of space. This means that you do not have to invest in many scratchers, as you can simply take it to where your cat is. Moreover, the manufacturer also includes a bag of catnip in the package to allow you to incentivize your kitty to use this lounge.

However, due to its lightweight frame, this scratcher is not as sturdy as we would like it to be. That flaw can make it unappealing to some cats.

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6. Bergan Turbo Cat Scratcher Toy

What we love about the Bergan Turbo cat scratcher is how it facilitates two favorite feline hobbies—playing and scratching.

This toy comes in the form of a plastic ball with a corrugated scratchpad at the center. You know how excited cats are about balls—they will nudge, chase, and pounce. And when they are tired, they can scratch away at the pad.

What’s more, the ball is made from hard plastic, meaning that it does not break easily. In fact, the scratchpad is what is going to wear out first. To ensure that this toy retains its functionality, the manufacturer offers replacement scratchpads separately. Therefore, simply order a couple of pads once the original one starts showing signs of wear.

However, despite the ingenuity behind the Bergan Turbo’s design, it is a supplementary scratcher at best. It cannot serve as a main scratcher. Because, as mentioned, cats prefer steady surfaces for proper scratching. Therefore, you will still have to invest in a proper scratcher. Nevertheless, we appreciate the thought that went into designing this toy. Your kitty will love it.

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7. Fat Cat Big Mama’s Scratch ‘N Play

While scratching satisfies a cat’s natural instincts, few scratchers facilitate actual nail grooming. This is where Fat Cat Big Mama’s Scratch’ N Play has other scratchers beat; it comes with grooved nooks and crannies that allow your cat to groom and trim its nails as it scratches the board.

Additionally, its slanted ramp design makes it a multi-purpose tool, as it allows your cat to stretch, lie, or use it as a sliding bridge.

The Scratch’ N Play is remarkably durable as well. Like some of the other options on this list, its scratchpad is also reversible. As such, if the original surface begins to wear out, simply reverse it to reveal a new scratchpad. What’s more, it is made from eco-friendly materials, meaning that it poses no danger to your kitty or the environment.

The manufacturer also includes some catnip and a small removable toy as a bonus for even more fun. On your part, you will appreciate the Scratch’ N Play’s unique design that adds to your home’s interior décor.

The only issue we had with the Scratch’ N Play is that it does tend to slide around a good bit. Additionally, its nooks and crannies can trap a cat’s nails.

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8. Paws & Pals Square Cat Scratcher Post & Lounger

The Paw & Pals Square cat scratcher is a cubic multi-purpose tool, acting as a scratcher, stretching & lounging spot, a hideout, as well as a toy.

This scratcher features an innovative design that supports a wide variety of scratching and stretching angles, making it one of the few cat scratchers on the market that is ideal for all types of cats. Additionally, it has a square hole that allows your feline friend to indulge in their obsession with squeezing in small spaces.

What’s more, you can even pull the cube out of the scratcher to reveal up to 4 extra scratching surfaces, making it a good fit for families with several cats.

This unit is made from 100% recycled cardboard.

Unfortunately, the quality of this cat scratcher has been inconsistent lately. We hope that the manufacturer takes the necessary measures.

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9. PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher

The Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge by PetFusion is one of the most versatile cat scratchers in the game. It comes with a unique “infinity” shape design that does more than just offer your cat a scratching surface.

Its soft curves make it the ultimate lounging spot, while the bottom offers your cat a place to hide or play. Additionally, it can support two cats at the same time. Its remarkably stylish design is another reason you will want to purchase this scratching lounge.

This scratching lounge is made from dense, recycled cardboard. This not only ensures you longevity but also the peace of mind knowing that you will not be harming your cat or the environment. To add to that durability, the boards are reversible, meaning that all you have to do is flip them over once one side begins to show signs of wear.

However, more than a few cats have been observed to show disinterest in this scratching lounge. This is the reason we have ranked this great product so low on our list. Moreover, it is quite pricey.

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10. AMZNOVA Cat Scratcher

This scratcher by AMZNOVA is an eco-friendly product made from corrugated cardboard. As mentioned, cats love corrugated cardboard, thanks to how good it feels against their claws. Additionally, it can withstand harsh scratching for a whole lot longer than standard cardboard would.

Nonetheless, this scratcher is too small and light to be used as the main scratcher.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cardboard Cat Scratcher

If you love your furniture and are thinking of sharing your home with a feline buddy, you better get a cat scratcher. Cats have an instinctual need to scratch; it is ingrained in their DNA. It serves a host of purposes, none of which involves annoying you, though that can sometimes be a byproduct.

For example, scratching helps cats to remove the outer layer of their claw to reveal a new one, in addition to being a form of stress relief and exercise. As such, a scratching cat is a healthy cat.  Therefore, if you cannot stand a cat’s scratching habits, you might want to consider another type of pet.

Fortunately, a cat scratcher is all you need to solve that problem. However, as mentioned, these tools vary significantly in quality, usage, and effectiveness. Therefore, you want to be sure that the product you choose is a good fit for both your cat and yourself.

The following are the most important factors to consider when looking for the ideal cat scratcher for your kitty:

Size

Cat scratchers come in a wide variety of sizes. However, we found that most cats prefer larger scratchers. And it does make sense considering cats honed their scratching instincts on trees. Trees are large and stable, allowing a cat to exert its weight without the fear of slipping. Moreover, cats tend to stretch as they scratch, which is why a stable surface is important to them.

Therefore, while there are some good small cat scratchers out there, you will never go wrong with a larger one. Nonetheless, a small-sized scratcher is great if it also doubles as a toy. However, it cannot be the cat’s main scratcher.

Mounted or Standalone

Some cardboard cat scratchers come as standalone pieces, while others need to be mounted on the wall or floor. Obviously, mounted scratchers are the superior option, as they are stable. This is especially relevant when it comes to cardboard scratchers since they are the lightest of all scratcher types.

Replaceable Scratchpads

As mentioned, cardboard scratchers come in a wide variety of designs. One of the most practical designs is one that allows you to replace the scratching surface once your cat wears it out. This means that you will not have to invest in a whole new scratcher, thus allowing you to cut costs.

Reversible Surface

Another way in which manufacturers enhance the durability of their scratchers is by making them reversible. Once your cat wears out the original surface, simply flip it over to reveal a new one. We love these kinds of scratchers due to how durable they are.

Multi-Purpose

Some scratchers combine various feline interests into one tool, making them incredibly practical. For example, some scratchers come in the form of a box, nest, or lounge, giving your cat a place to rest and a surface to scratch. Others come in the form of toys. Multi-purpose scratchers are a great option, as they save you from having to purchase different cat toys.

Style

At the end of the day, the scratcher will likely end up in your living room. Since you do not want it to be an eyesore, consider how a scratcher’s design affects your décor.

How We Selected Our List of Cardboard Cat Scratchers

Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing cardboard cat scratchers. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.

Why Trust Catster?

A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cardboard cat scratchers. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!

Final Verdict

A cat scratcher is a must-have tool for cat owners. It allows you to not only keep your pet healthy and happy but also to save your furniture, carpets, and upholstery from the cat’s claws.

While there are numerous cardboard cat scratchers on the market, only a handful are worth your consideration.

If you must choose one, we recommend the Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher due to its customizable angles, elegant design, and durable construction that accommodates your cat’s scratching preferences while complementing your home decor. If you are on a budget, consider the Scratch Up Hanging Cat Scratcher by SmartyKat. You will be hard-pressed to find a better scratcher at that price.

Most importantly, do not forget to consider other types of scratchers, such as wood- or sisal-based. This is because they have inherent advantages over cardboard scratchers, especially when it comes to practicality and durability.

• Related Read: Best Corner Cat Scratcher – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Boonlert Saikrajang, Shutterstock