SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post (Beige)

The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post from Pioneer Pet is a long-running bestseller. It costs about $70 and averages 4.7 stars from about 34,000 ratings, which is a high average from a very big sample.

What you get

A 32-inch post wrapped in woven sisal, on a 16 x 16 in base. It assembles with two included screws.

Those two numbers explain why it does well. Most cheap posts fail because they're too short for a full stretch or light enough to wobble. A cat that knocks a post over once often never goes back to it. At 32 inches, an adult cat can stretch out fully, and the wide base stops it tipping.

Pioneer Pet says sisal is better than carpeted posts, which can snag claws. Sisal is also a different texture from your carpet and rugs, so you're not teaching the cat that carpet is for scratching.

How to use it to save your couch

Put it right next to the furniture the cat is scratching, touching it if you can, not in a spare room. Cover the couch spot with a protector at the same time, and reward the cat when it uses the post. Our how to stop cats scratching furniture guide explains the full routine.

Who it's for

• Cats that scratch vertically, up couch arms and door frames
• Big adult cats that need height and a solid base
• Leather couch owners, who can't put adhesive protectors on the couch and need a strong alternative right beside it

Who should skip it

Cats that only scratch flat surfaces like rugs. A horizontal mat suits them better and costs much less. It's also bulky, so measure the space next to your couch.

Alternatives

The FUKUMARU sisal mat is about $12 for a flat sisal surface. The Sofa-Scratcher wraps a couch corner and anchors under the couch leg. More options in our cat scratching mat guide.