The Best Cat Scratching Posts in Australia (2026)

What is the best cat scratching post in Australia?

The best cat scratching post for most Australian homes is the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post. It is 81cm tall, and height is the first thing to check, because a post your cat cannot fully stretch up is a post your cat will ignore in favour of your couch. It is wrapped in fibrous, durable woven sisal, and the listing describes its 40cm square base as eliminating tipping and wobbling. With 27,465 Amazon Australia ratings at a 4.7 star average, it has far more ratings than any other post on this page. The ANWA 32 inch 3 in 1 sisal post is the value pick that nearly matches it on height, and the Kazoo Cat Scratch Post is the one for a kitten.

That said, a scratching post is not a one-size decision. A nervous renter in a small unit, a household with three large cats, and a first-time kitten owner all need different things. So below we compare eight posts, from a plain sisal pole to a 143cm tower with a hammock, on Amazon Australia, each chosen for a specific situation. Every rating and review count quoted is the Amazon AU figure for the date shown under the comparison table. When the cat has to leave the house, our guide to pet carriers for a cat's vet trips compares soft carriers, a backpack and a sling. If you also share your home with a dog, our guide to elevated dog feeders with the heights each listing gives compares raised bowls.

We are an Australian site writing for Australian buyers. Every post on this list is an Amazon Australia listing, and a card says so when one cannot be bought.

The quick answer: our top three at a glance

If you do not want to read the whole guide, here is the short version. Our overall winner is the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post for its height, base and ratings. The best value is the ANWA 32 inch 3 in 1 Sisal Post, which gets you almost the same height plus built in toys. And the compact option is the Kazoo Cat Scratch Post, a tidy looking post for kittens and smaller cats. The other five listings cover perches and condos, multicat homes, mid size cats and a plain post with a top deck. Some of the dog beds in our guide to orthopaedic, calming and elevated dog beds list cats as a target species.

How the eight scratching posts compare

Height is the first number to check, because a post shorter than a cat's full stretch gets ignored. Seven of the eight posts below clear 80cm. Live prices sit on the product cards, because they move daily.

How we compared cat scratching posts

Last checked: 15 October 2026.

NestPath is an editorial site, not a testing lab. We do not bring cats into an office and time how long a post lasts. Instead we study the evidence that already exists and turn it into clear, honest buying advice. Here is exactly how we built this list.

• Australian availability first. Every product had to be an Amazon Australia listing on the Last checked date above. Stock moves, so check the card before you buy; a card says so when a post could not be bought.
• Real ratings and review counts. We pulled the Amazon AU star rating and review volume for each pick on the Last checked date above and required a genuine track record. A post with three reviews is a guess; a post with thousands is a verdict.
• Specs read off the listing, not invented. Height, base width, material and weight come straight from the maker specifications stated in each listing's product information, so the numbers you see here match what arrives at your door.
• What owners actually say. We read Australian reviews closely, paying special attention to the one and two-star ones, because that is where you learn whether a post wobbles, sheds or falls apart after a month.

Where a post has a known weakness, we tell you in its own "Flaws but not dealbreakers" section. Nothing here is perfect, and pretending otherwise would not help you.

Best overall: SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post

The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post is the one we would buy for our own cat without thinking twice. It is a deliberately simple thing: a single 81cm sisal post on a 40cm square base, in a neutral beige that suits most rooms. There are no toys, no platforms and no fluff, and that is the point. It sticks to the core job of giving a cat a tall surface to scratch.

Height is what sets it apart. At 81cm a full-grown cat can rise onto its back legs and stretch the full length of its spine and shoulders, which is the whole reason cats scratch vertical surfaces in the first place. Shorter posts force them to stoop, so they go back to the arm of your sofa, which is conveniently tall. The listing describes the 40cm square base as eliminating tipping and wobbling, and the woven sisal as fibrous and durable.

It also has far more ratings than any other pick on this page, with 27,465 Amazon AU ratings at 4.7 stars, so you are not gambling on an unknown. If you want a tall, plain post that quietly does one job, this is it.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It costs more than the ANWA and Kazoo picks, and the post has no perch or fabric top for a cat that likes to sit up high, so a cat used to a carpeted platform may take time to adjust. Adding catnip and placing it where your cat already scratches solves nearly all of this.

Best value: ANWA 32 inch 3 in 1 Sisal Post

If the SmartCat is the considered, premium choice, the ANWA 32 inch Cat Scratching Post is the practical one. It is almost the same height, just over 81cm, wrapped in 100 percent natural sisal, and it adds three built-in toys: a dangling plush ball on top, a mouse in the middle and a spring ball at the base. For a household that wants a post and a bit of play in one tidy package, it fits well.

It holds 4.6 stars from 2,162 Amazon AU ratings. The listing describes assembly as several minutes with the included Allen key and presents the post as a furniture saver. The reinforced heavy chipboard base keeps a fairly slim post stable for cats of all sizes, and the flannel-covered base doubles as a spot to flop. One reviewer calls the mouse toy attachment a big hit with their cats.

It weighs about 2.6kg, so it is easy to reposition around the house while you work out where your cat prefers to scratch. For renters, kitten owners and anyone furnishing a first home, this is a practical post that bundles scratching and play.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The post is on the slim side, so a very large or heavy adult cat that throws its full weight into a scratch may make it flex more than the chunkier SmartCat. The toys are attached and can be pulled off by determined kittens over time, though the post itself keeps working fine without them.

Compact pick for kittens: Kazoo Cat Scratch Post

The Kazoo Cat Scratch Post is a compact way to give a kitten or smaller cat somewhere legitimate to claw. It is a small post, with a sisal wrapped pole rising from a plush fleece covered base and top, finished in a tidy charcoal that looks more like furniture than a cat toy. It is a different job from the cat toys that keep an indoor cat busy. It holds 4.5 stars from 39 Amazon AU ratings, so the track record is short.

What you are paying for here is the essentials done properly. The natural sisal post is exactly the texture cats want to drag their claws through, and the plush base and top give them a soft place to sit and a hanging pom-pom to bat at. With only 39 ratings the track record is short, so treat it as a low risk way to see whether a cat takes to a post.

Because it is small and light, it suits units, bedrooms and second posts dotted around a larger home. It is not the post for a determined Maine Coon, and it is not trying to be. As a first scratching post, a kitten's post, or a simple way to add a second scratching spot, it earns its place.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It is genuinely small at 62cm long and 15cm high in its small size, so a large adult cat will outgrow it and may not get a full stretch. One reviewer found the charcoal dyed material very hard for an older cat to scratch, and another reported the particle board broken or lifted with only light use. For a kitten or a compact cat it is a good fit; for a big cat, size up to one of our taller picks.

Best post with perch and condos: PAWZ Road 89cm Wooden Cat Tower

Some cats want more than a pole. The PAWZ Road 89cm Wooden Cat Tower is for the household that wants scratching, climbing, perching and a hideaway in one sleek, modern piece. At 89cm tall with a wood-look finish, two cosy condos, a raised top perch and fully sisal-wrapped posts, it is a small cat tree that still puts scratching front and centre. It holds 4.5 stars from 6,321 Amazon AU ratings.

The appeal is versatility. The posts are wrapped in natural sisal so the scratching is real, not an afterthought, while the elevated perch gives your cat a bird-watching spot by a window and the dual condos offer a private nap. A sisal-covered ramp helps cats reach the upper level and adds even more clawing surface. Owners praise how stylish and sturdy it feels. The listing adds a security strap to anchor it to the wall, a top perch and mat that are removable and machine washable, and a detachable dangling ball with a spare replacement.

It works best for one or two small to medium cats. If your cat likes to scratch and survey its kingdom from a height, this is a complete package without stepping up to a full tower.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The condos run small, so large breeds like Ragdolls may find them a squeeze, a point several owners make directly. It is built from composite board rather than solid timber, which keeps it light and affordable but means it is not a forever heirloom. Fit the safety strap, especially with an energetic cat, and these become non-issues.

BEASTIE 92cm Wooden Scratching Post Tree: could not be bought on 15 October 2026

The BEASTIE 92cm Wooden Scratching Post Tree was listed for big, boisterous cats. It could not be bought on Amazon Australia on 15 October 2026: no add to cart button was shown. It is listed as a 92cm fir wood tree wrapped in nine strands of natural sisal, with a weight rating of up to 80kg, and it holds 4.6 stars from 121 ratings at capture.

Owners describe it as sturdy, surprisingly so for the price, with a wide base that does not wobble when a cat goes all in. The fir wood construction and thick E1-standard board feel a tier above the typical particle board pole, and the black finish reads as deliberate furniture rather than a pet shop afterthought. The listing describes the build as sturdy and stable.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

One reviewer found the carpet far from fit for purpose and torn to shreds after one decent scratch. The styling is a touch utilitarian.

Best tall tower with a hammock: PAWZ Road 143cm Cat Tree

When one post is not enough and you want vertical territory, the PAWZ Road 143cm Cat Tree steps up. It is a 143cm multilevel tower combining sisal scratching posts, a condo, a top perch and a notably large hammock, and it holds 4.6 stars across 302 Amazon AU ratings. For a home with several cats or a single cat that loves to climb, it turns a corner of the room into a playground.

The standout feature is the large hammock, which the listing pairs with a roomy condo and soft perches with a raised edge for napping and watching over the house. The scratching posts give your cat plenty to scratch at different heights, and the listing says a heavy duty CARB certified base plus an included safety strap keep the whole thing stable.

This is the pick for buyers who want maximum function from a single purchase: scratch, climb, nap and perch in one tower, without paying boutique cat-furniture prices.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing describes a plush covering, so it suits a gentler scratcher better than a heavy clawer. It is also a larger footprint, with an overall size of 55 x 45 x 143 cm, so measure your space first and fit the safety strap.

Mid size all rounder: Advwin 84cm Cat Scratching Post

The Advwin 84cm Cat Scratching Post is a single level post that sits between a plain pole and a full tower. At 84cm it is tall enough for a proper stretch, and the listing describes thick board wrapped in natural fibrous sisal with a plush covered base and top and a hanging toy ball, all in beige. It holds 4.3 stars from 248 Amazon AU ratings.

The listing describes a 15mm MDF base and top covered in soft plush, and says the design avoids tipping and wobbling. The hanging toy ball is there to draw kittens in. One reviewer says their cats stopped scratching the couch, and the review summary says customers find their cats loving it.

It has one level, so it is a plain post with a hanging toy rather than a climbing tower. As a post for an average sized cat, it is a sensible middle ground.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It carries the lowest star average of our eight picks at 4.3, and a cat that likes to climb may find a single level post limiting. For a calm or smaller cat it is a lot of post for the money; for a jungle-gym athlete, one of the sturdier picks is the safer bet.

Also consider: i.Pet Cat Tree 89cm

The i.Pet Cat Tree 89cm is a distraction free, single post with perch design from a Melbourne-founded brand, finished in a clean grey plush with a natural sisal post. At 89cm with a wide 49cm base rated to support up to 20kg, it aims squarely at buyers who want height and a perch without dangling toys. It holds 4.4 stars from 201 Amazon AU ratings.

The pitch is simplicity: a tall sisal post for serious scratching, a roomy plush top deck for sleeping or perching, and nothing else to clutter the look. Owners like the height and describe it as big and sturdy. As a Melbourne founded brand, it lists a one year warranty.

It is a reasonable choice for a cat that wants to scratch and snooze up high. We have placed it below our other picks mainly because one reviewer reported the base swelling with moisture, so it lands here as a solid alternative rather than a leader.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

One reviewer found the core of the post absorbing moisture at the base, swelling and becoming unstable, so it had to be thrown out. Keep it in a dry spot away from damp and add catnip to encourage early use.

What should you look for in a cat scratching post?

Buying a post is mostly about getting four things right. Get them right and your cat uses the post; get them wrong and your furniture pays.

How tall should a cat scratching post be?

Tall enough for your cat to stretch fully while standing on its back legs, which is why we look for 80cm or more. Cats scratch partly to stretch the muscles and tendons all the way down their back. A short post does not let them do that, so they seek out something taller, which is usually a couch arm or a doorframe. Every taller post on this list clears 80cm for exactly this reason.

Sisal or carpet: which material is best?

Sisal, almost every time. Woven sisal fabric or tightly wound sisal rope gives a satisfying drag and shreds in a way cats love, while staying durable. Carpet is a poor choice because it can snag and pull claws, and because it teaches your cat that carpet is a fine thing to scratch, which is the exact opposite of what you want. Cardboard scratchers are great as cheap extras but wear out fast. For a main post, choose sisal.

How stable does the base need to be?

Very. A post that wobbles or tips even once will spook a cat and may never be trusted again. Look for a wide, heavy base, ideally at least as wide as the post is tall is the gold standard but rarely achievable, so prioritise weight and a low centre of gravity. Taller towers should include a wall-anchor strap; fit it. Stability is a common theme in negative reviews across this whole category.

Where should you put it?

Right where your cat already scratches, or beside where it sleeps. Cats often scratch on waking and to mark territory in social areas, so a post hidden in a spare room gets ignored. Put it in the living room near the furniture you are trying to protect, rub it with catnip, and your odds of success jump dramatically.

How do you care for a cat scratching post?

Scratching posts are low-maintenance, but a little care extends their life. Vacuum loose fibres and fur off the sisal and plush regularly. Do not wet clean the PAWZ Road 143cm tower, because its listing says Dry Clean Only, Keep Indoors; for other models, follow the listing before wiping any fabric with a damp cloth. Check the listing for care instructions: the PAWZ Road 89cm listing says its top perch and mat are removable and machine washable. Check the assembly bolts from time to time, because a wobble is what kills a post's appeal. When the sisal frays badly, that is normal wear, not failure. If your cat ignores a new post, do not give up straight away. Sprinkle catnip, dangle a toy near it, and gently scratch the sisal with your own fingers to demonstrate.

You will also want these for a happy cat

A scratching post is one piece of a comfortable indoor cat setup, and a cat enclosure is how you extend that setup outdoors safely. Our cat toys guide covers the play side, our cat food guide covers the bowl that usually sits in the same corner, and pet stairs help an older cat reach the perch it can no longer jump to. These accessories pair naturally with a post and are all easy buys on Amazon Australia.

• Catnip spray to encourage your cat onto a new post in the first few days. Search catnip spray on Amazon AU.
• A replacement sisal rope so you can re-wrap a worn post instead of binning it. Search sisal rope on Amazon AU.
• Cat nail clippers to keep claws trimmed and reduce snagging. Search cat nail clippers on Amazon AU.
• A cardboard scratch pad as a cheap second scratching surface for another room. Search cardboard cat scratchers on Amazon AU.
• Furniture protectors to shield the couch while your cat learns. Search cat furniture protectors on Amazon AU.
• A cosy cat bed to give your cat a place to sleep near its new post. Search cat beds on Amazon AU.

What about a shop bought or do it yourself post?

Shop bought posts are an option too, though we have not linked any here because every post above is an Amazon Australia listing. The honest comparison is simple: a post that does not let a full grown cat stretch out gets ignored no matter what it cost. If you buy in store, take a tape measure and treat 80cm as the floor.

Building one is genuinely viable and it is what sisal rope is for. Take a length of dressed pine or a fence post about a metre long, screw it to a heavy plywood base at least 40cm square, then wrap the upright tightly in sisal rope from the bottom up, gluing and stapling every few turns so the cat cannot unravel it. The part people get wrong is the base: a home made post falls over because the base is too light or too small, and that is exactly what a wide, stable base solves, as on the SmartCat with its 40cm square base. If your cat wants to climb rather than scratch, a full cat tree is the better answer than a taller post.

How does the competition stack up?

Plenty of other posts show up when you search, and a few are worth knowing about. Cardboard scratchers like the various LIFLIX double-layer and palm-tree designs are cheap and many cats enjoy them, but they wear out quickly and are best treated as disposable extras rather than a main post. Tall novelty designs such as cactus and palm-tree posts look fun and rate reasonably well, but you are partly paying for the styling. Full cat trees over 150cm are a different category aimed at climbers and multi-cat homes; if that is what you want, our taller PAWZ Road tower covers it here and we go deeper in our dedicated cat tree guide. Among plain posts, the FUKUMARU retro-style post and various 80 to 124cm sisal poles are decent but did not beat our picks on the combination of price, rating volume and stability. The short version: the buyable posts above are the ones we would actually spend our own money on.

Frequently asked questions

Do cat scratching posts really stop cats scratching furniture?

Largely yes, if the post is tall enough, stable, made of sisal and placed near the furniture you are protecting. Scratching is an instinct cats cannot be trained out of, so the goal is to redirect it. Give them a better surface than your couch and many cats switch over, especially with a little catnip encouragement early on.

Is sisal or carpet better for a scratching post?

Sisal is better. It gives the satisfying drag cats want and is durable, while carpet can snag claws and teaches your cat that carpet is acceptable to scratch, which encourages exactly the behaviour you are trying to stop. Every main post we recommend uses natural sisal.

How tall should a cat scratching post be?

At least 70cm, and ideally 80cm or taller, so an adult cat can stand on its back legs and stretch its full length. Posts that are too short are a common reason a cat ignores its post and goes back to the sofa. Our taller picks all exceed 80cm.

Why won't my cat use its new scratching post?

Usually it is location, height or newness. Move it to where your cat already scratches or sleeps, make sure it is tall and stable enough for a real stretch, and encourage use with catnip and a dangled toy. Give it time before assuming it has failed.

Are tall cat towers more stable than single posts?

Not automatically. A heavy single post on a wide base can be more stable than a tall tower, which is why good towers include a wall-anchor strap. If you buy a tall tower, fit the strap. Stability is an important safety factor for any scratching furniture.

What is a good budget cat scratching post in Australia?

Among our picks, the Kazoo Cat Scratch Post is the compact option and still does the core job well for kittens and smaller cats. It is small and uses sisal, and the ANWA 32 inch 3 in 1 post is the value pick if you want more height.

Do kittens need a scratching post?

Yes, a post in the room where they play teaches kittens where the acceptable surface is before the couch becomes a habit. Pick something short and stable rather than tall: the Kazoo Cat Scratch Post is sized for kittens and small cats. Move up to an 80cm post once the kitten can stretch past the top of the small one.

What can I use as a scratching post for my cat?

A cardboard scratch pad is a simple working substitute and many cats prefer the texture, though it wears out faster than sisal. An offcut of carpet stapled to a heavy timber upright works, as does a length of firewood with the bark left on, propped where the cat already scratches. What none of those give you is a weighted base, and a post that rocks under a paw is a common reason a cat abandons it.

How do you make a cat scratching post?

Screw a piece of dressed pine about a metre long to a plywood base at least 40cm square, then wrap the upright tightly with sisal rope from the bottom, gluing and stapling every few turns so the cat cannot pull it loose. Sisal rope and timber are both hardware-store items. Weight the base, because a home-made post that tips over once will not be used again. Reckon on an afternoon and a base that is heavier than looks necessary.

Should I buy a cat scratching post in store or online?

Either works if the post is tall enough. Whether you buy in store or online, check the height: a post needs to let a full grown cat stretch out, so treat 80cm as the floor, because a short post is the one that gets ignored in favour of the sofa. This guide only covers Amazon Australia listings.

About the author

Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first home buyer process himself. NestPath focuses on Australian first home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au