Best Cat Scratching Post to File Nails (Top 6 Picks)

By nature, your lovely cat loves to scratch things that it can dig its claws in. It’s a problem at a global scale faced by beloved cat owners, I’m afraid; I joined the league the very first time I brought my Whisky, the chubby kitten, home.

If you own a cat or are owned by a cat (!), this scratching issue doesn’t need to be introduced. Your feline friend does it for shedding the dead cuticles off its nails in order to make them a bit sharper or simply to stretch the muscles while leaving its unique scent behind, which is important to mark their territory or presence.

best cat Scratching post to file nails

So, how do you prevent them from scratching your furniture and stuff that you don’t want to get ruined? 

Well, vets always suggest using a scratching post that would tolerate all the scratchings your kitty could inflict; it doesn’t matter how savage they get. Today, I’ll be reviewing 6 best cat scratching posts to file nails that your cat would love to have. 

These are our Choice for the Best cat Scratching post ever: Review Summary

Best Overall: Petfusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge  Check Price

Best For Multiple Cat: Go Pet Club 60- inch Cat Tree Check Price

Best For Furniture: PetFusion 3-sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post Check Price

Best For Kittens: AmazonBasics Cat Activity Tree with a Scratching post Check Price

Best Budget Choice: ASPCA Cat House & Scratcher Check Price

Best Cat Scratching Post to File Nails Comparison Chart

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What is the Best Scratching Post to File Nail for Large Cats?

Whatever is the size of your cat, you will surely need a scratching post. Here, I will review some of the top quality scratching post, and I will request you to go through all of them. Why? It will help you to save money. It’s a guarantee.

1#.Best All Round Cat Scratching Post: PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge

Suppose you are planning to impress your cat with not only a scratchable object, but also with a whole luxurious lounge on which it can lay down in a majestic manner and once in a while dip and pull through its claws at its whim. In that case, PetFushing Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge should be an ideal choice. 

petFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge

This is the current price of this PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Not every scratching post is alike. But few will blend into your room’s furniture. Our top choice is aesthetically pleasing and functionally effective. Made out of reprocessed cardboard and a type of starch glue that is non-toxic to keep your pet out of harm’s way. 

Since it’s not built from metal, it won’t get cold during the winter. The neutral color that it has should give your pet a sense of homeliness to relate to amid other furniture of your home. 

In terms of shape and design, it’s a piece of art, probably the best selling point of this scratcher. The twisted circle shape appears natural for cats. On top of that, you can flip it whenever you want to save one side from being overused. The design allows a generous space with a huge surface area for scratching. 

It’s a bit on the heavy side if you want to know the downside of the post. Well, you can’t really blame it for that as the material used is just too thick and durable. Weight also adds to its stability, so it’s an excellent trade-off to have between quality and weight. Out of the box, you wouldn’t need to assemble anything. In short, it’s definitely the best scratching post ever. 

  • What Makes PetFusion Scratching Post better than Other Posts:

This scratching post is built with an exception. I loved its design most. The most important feature that made me fall for it is blending capacity with furniture. Cats find it tough to discriminate from household furniture. This one post is enough for multiple cats. Its stable, portable, and 100% safe for cats as it is made of non-toxic materials. 

  • What Should Be Better in this Cat Scratching Post

If you have Cats with bigger claws, then it can get damaged faster. Most of the cat parents use nail trimmer, so it’s not a big deal.

click here to buy of this PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge  Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Final Verdict:

There’s no ‘perfect’ product in the world. Every one of them has one or more flaws. Pet Fusions’s Ultimate scratching post isn’t an exception despite being an award-winning design. However, it outnumbers the flaws with its fabulous features hugely. We love how it is built, designed, and how it serves the purpose for cat owners. It would be a good addition to your pet gadget and you will never regret having it.  

2#.Best Scratching Post for Large Cats: SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post

Got a lazy cat that’s getting chubby for not using its muscles properly? SmartCat’s Pioneer scratching post would be the right choice then. It’s a 32″ long post that would lure your feline friend to stretch fully with confidence and carry on its instinctive scratching activities as much as it wants. So, what are the key features that make it stand out from the rest? 

We were happy with its construction. The fibrous woven sisal material would trigger the natural scratching instinct most effectively. The clever design makes your pet work a bit extra, meaning it will work harder and sharpen the claws. 

SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post

This is the current price of this SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Stability has always been an issue with tall posts. This one employs a 16 by 16 inches base that eliminates most of the wobbling and falling in the most effective manner. The carpeting quality is decent. You can hammer a nail into it without an issue. 

The assembling part is also easy. They provide the required screws with the package. This will help your cat shed off its old nail layers from its claws, tone its muscles, cope up with boredom and mark its territory. Before starting a boisterous playing session, this post will help your cat get warmed up in an effective way. 

  • What Makes SmartCat Scratching Post Stands Out from Other Posts

It is very lightweight and takes less space. When I bought this for review, I found it super sturdy and fibrous. The design of the cat-friendly scratching post is pretty ergonomic. My kittens found this post amazing. I believe that scratching post triggers positive mode in the cats. Additionally, it blends with the furniture perfectly.

  • What Could be Better in this Cat Scratching Post

I found it a bit disturbing that it doesn’t offer space for the cat to sit or remain on top. I hope it will be improved in its upcoming model. Click here to buy of this SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Final Verdict:

This is a strong scratching pole with a high capacity for taking impacts. It can undergo any level of violence that your pet can inflict on it. It’s a great choice for heavy-duty usage. If you have multiple big cats in your squad, it will take it all like a pro. The assembling part wasn’t that smooth though. That’s one of its downsides. Apart from that, it’s one of the best scratching posts for large cats. 

3#. Best for Multiple Cats: Go Pet Club 62-Inch Cat Tree

The name of this scratching post carries the essence of it very well. It’s not just a post for your pets; it’s a package that can be rendered as a club or a prehistoric cat tree where your cats would find themselves as monarchs. Trust me, it could be a great Christmas gift for your kitties and that’s for good reasons! 

Go Pet Club 62-Inch Cat Tree

This is the current price of this Go Pet Club 62-Inch Cat Tree Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Firstly, your cat squad would have a territory that looks like a real one. The concept of Pet Club Cat Tree is, in a way, resembles an imaginary cat world where they can unleash their wild territorial instincts fully. It offers a superb source of entertainment. Remember, your cat needs not only a scratching object it also needs space to rest. 

This multi-storied tree-like post offers plenty of space for playing too. That means cats get more active on this structure that is strong enough to withstand hours of abuse without a sign of distortion. 

The added playhouse is also compartmentalized, allowing more support and safety. Most feline mammals enjoy the Faux Fur material. The posts are also reinforced with sisal rope to provide enough strength for withstanding deeper scratches. 

The design incorporates a ladder, condo, hanging toys, basket, tunnel, and top perch that create a fun environment for your furry friends.

  • What Makes this Scratching Post Outstanding?

If you ask me, what’s my top pick on scratching posts? Go-Pet-Club is the best kitten scratching post. My kittens love its multi-storied and spacious design. My group tested its durability. It passed every parameter with highest grades. As I have multiple cats, I’m biggest admirer of its separate condos. Moreover, it’s portable, and indeed my cats enjoy playing with its versatile features.  

  • What’s need to be slightly better in Go-Pet-Club’s Scratching Post

It isn’t easy to assemble, but you can check a YouTube tutorial for more effortless installation technique.

Click to buy of this Go Pet Club 62-Inch Cat Tree Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Final Verdict

The Pet Club Cat Tree is a yacht like facility for your lovely pets. It is versatile with so many features yet comes at a reasonable price. Although it is priced a bit higher than other models on our list, it packs a way more goodies. If you have more than one cat, this is the perfect option for you. It will ensure a pet-friendly environment in your living room for sure. Besides, it will also work as a scratching post 24/7.  

4#. Best for Furniture: PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post

Not every scratching post matches the cozy interior of your house. I mean, it’s a must-have thing to have if you are a honored cat owner, but you can’t have it glaring at your face all the time. To avoid that you can use PetFusion’s 3-Sided scratching post as not only does it offer a great stress relief for your clawed friend, it will also enhance the interior of your home. 

PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post

This is the current price of this SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Made from reprocessed cardboard with corn stretch glue that is completely non-toxic. There’s no way your cat’s going to have a health effect from the bites and sniffing. This also makes it environment friendly.

The two dimensional pyramid shape offers three different surfaces that offer more playing space. You can use them by rotation as long as you want. It is available in two different sizes. Depending on the size of your cat, you should choose one or both.

This particular model won Editor’s Choice Award (#1 Best New Product 2014) given by cat fancy magazine. Since it’s small, it can be carried and placed anywhere anytime. This high portability feature makes it convenient for tours as well.

The manufacturer provides replacement warranty for 6 months upon a manufacturing defect or if the customer is dissatisfied.

click here to buy of this Vertical Cat Scratching Post Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

  • Why PetFusion is a Standout Cat Scratching post?

For me, a cat scratching post should be finely designed. It must be easily accessible to cats and safe for them as well. The award-winning design of PetFusion multi-cat scratching pillar is an award-winning post for its design-built quality. This one has multiple playing surfaces and perfectly blends with furniture. Robust cardboard construction offers longevity. Also, the bar is portable.

  • What’s Need to Be Improved:

Excessive Heat can affect the glue. But, I don’t think it’s a thing to be worried about.  l

Our Verdict:

We have all the good words for this particular model. Although we’ve positioned it in the 3rd position, it’s no inferior than our other top picks. By design, it’s thoughtfully shaped and constructed. We believe that lots of planning had gone into it before it came out. Cats and their human friends would love it for sure.

#5. Best for Kittens: AmazonBasics Cat Activity Tree with Scratching Posts

If you are up for a multi storied unique scratching post that your cat would definitely love, AmazonBasics Cat Activity Tree is a must have. It’s not just a triple-platform cat tree, it offers jute-wrapped 7 different scratching posts that your cats would never get enough of scratching into them.

AmazonBasics Cat Activity Tree with Scratching Posts

This is the current price of this AmazonBasics Cat Activity Tree Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

The construction of this post is mainly of paper tubes, jute, MDF and carpet. All these materials are soft and so very luring for the cats to dip their claws in. The color and design of the post naturally attract cats like a magnet. You wouldn’t have to teach your cat to use it. Just put it in a corner and your cats will find it out.

The base is square shaped, so it won’t wobble or fall. It will allow your cats to jump and climb, that way it will be a pretty fun place for them. Exercise will definitely make them healthier.

In terms of set up, the whole thing is super easy to assemble. They add the instructions and all the necessary tools with the package. It is around 17 inches tall, and 17 inches  in width, so your cat will get enough space to fool around.

click here to buy of this AmazonBasics Cat Activity Tree Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

  • What’s I found Best While Using this AmazonBasics Tree with Scratching Post

Its ergonomic design will snatch your attention first. As I always seek environmentally friendly materials, I loved this cat nail scratching post. The spacious design will allow cat play along. It’s sturdy and comes at a reasonable price.

  • What’s need to better

The scratcher wears out fast, so the manufacturer needs to stabilize this issue pretty fast.

Final Verdict

AmazonBasics has done an excellent job designing this useful scratching post that you should definitely give a try if you don’t have a large cat. We’ve found this to be the best scratching post for kittens.

6#. Best Budget Choice: ASPCA Cat House & Scratcher

If you are looking for the best budget cat scratching post that would do the multiple jobs simultaneously, then go no further. ASPCA Cat House & Scratcher is an excellent option that costs a way less than an average scratching post.

ASPCA Cat House & Scratcher

This is the current price of thisASPCA Cat House Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

On top of that, it offers an entire resting place where the cat can hide and occasionally take naps. The floor is made of scratching-friendly material that encourages them to scratch and keep them healthy.

 You also get catnips with the package. It keeps your cat entertained with the scratching activity. The assembling part is also easy. It’s dimensions of the house stand at 19.5 inches in length, 14 inches in width and 11 inches in height.

click here to buy of this ASPCA Cat House Available On Amazon. (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

  • What’s best in ASPCA Cat Scratcher & House

It’s highly affordable and lightweight. The most incredible feature of this nail scratching post is its house shaped design. This post is a great oprtion if you are looking for a cat house and a scratching post. I loved it for its low price and multiple features.

  • What’s need to better

The scratcher wears out fast, so the manufacturer needs to stabilize this issue pretty fast.

Final Verdict

The only down side of this model is that its scratcher wears out fast. Other than that, you can’t really complain about any other features it offers, especially when it comes at such an attractive price point. We highly recommend it for single cat owners with a small budget. 

What is the Best Cat Scratching Post? A Comprehensive Buying Guide

So, why do cats need scratching posts? Well, for cats, clawing is an instinctive behavior that helps them maintain their nails manicured and keep them healthy by doing all the useful stretchings of their muscles and limbs. At the same time, they can mark their territories while clawing things. So, you can’t really blame them for doing that. Instead, what you can do is give them the right scratching post that they can use to unleash their natural urges without ruining your furniture and things that they’re not supposed to damage.

Best cat scratching post

So, here are the key features you should really focus on when going for the best cat scratching post ever.

1. Height

The rule of thumb is to go for a height that is not too low and not too high. If it’s too high, it might have stability issues, or in case it falls, it can end up damaging other things besides it, not to mention that it would scare the cat too.

2. Stability

Stability is a big issue for a cat scratcher or a scratch lounge. If you pick a cat pole, make sure the base is wide enough to hold it stable. Or else it will fall and scare the hell out of the cat. You know how that goes with your feline friend!

3. Scratching material

The best materials for cat scratching posts are usually environment-friendly card boards, jute, paper, ropes, MDF, different fabrics, and non-toxic glues. Kitty carpets and cat activity mats are also made from cardboards or hardboards depending on the brand.

4. Fabric vs. rope

So, which scratchers are the best in terms of material– fabric or rope? Well, both have pros and cons. We side with the rope as they don’t break into pieces and make a mess in your room.

5. Scratching angle

Scratching angles may differ from one post to another. For example, depending on the design, some models offer multiple side angles while the others use scratch lounges where the floor is used for scratching.

Final words

Hopefully, you’ve already figured out what is the best cat scratching post to file nails for your feline friend. I’ve carefully selected the cream of the market. You can get any of them and have the best place to pet a cat right in your home. If you are still confused, please pick our 1st choice as we’ve found this to be the best scratching post for cats in all respects.

Please do share your experience with us via email.

Happy shopping!

Frequently Asked Question

Q1#. What is the best material to use for a cat scratching post?

Ans: Sisal, cardboards, jute rope are some of the best materials to be used for a cat scratching post. 

Q2#. Do scratching posts file cats nails?

Ans: You’ll find your cat filing nails using the scratching posts and that’s the best way to do it. 

Q3#. How often should you clip your cat’s nails?

Ans: We’d recommend you clip your cat’s nail every two weeks. 

Q4#. How do I attract my cat to a scratching post?

Ans: Use of food is a great way to lure your cat to a scratching post. Once it is near it, it will mark it as his or her territory. 

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