10 Best Cat Scratchers in the UK in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Cats love to scratch, and if you don’t provide them with a scratcher of some sort, they will often turn to items like furniture and carpet in order to maintain their claws, leave their scent behind, and vent some frustration.

Considering how sharp cats’ claws are, the scratcher you buy needs to be tough and durable. It should also be an attractive scratching prospect in order to encourage your cat away from the sofa. Thankfully, there are plenty of designs of cat scratchers, ranging from simple corrugated cardboard pads to wall-mounted and even corner sisal scratchers.

Below, we have reviews of the best cat scratchers in the UK so that you can find the one that meets the needs of you and your cat.

A Quick Look at Our Favourites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Aibuddy Cat Scratcher Pad & Lounge Bed	Double-sided Curved design Affordable	Check Price
Best Value		Conlun Cat Box With Scratching Board	Torn cardboard is held inside the box Scratcher pad can be reversed Affordable	Check Price
Premium Choice		Catipilla Wall-Mounted Cat Scratcher	Wall-mounted for stability Sisal scratching material is durable and tough Can be turned to prolong the life of the scratcher	Check Price
		Aibuddy Cat Scratcher Tunnel & Bed	Tunnel, lounger, and scratcher Includes catnip Encourages various scratching and playing positions	Check Price
		ComSaf Cat Scratcher Oval Scratch Pad	Dual-purpose design Reversible scratching pad extends its life Attractive imitation wood finish	Check Price

The 10 Best Cat Scratchers in the UK

The Aibuddy Cat Scratcher, Curve Scratching Pad Reversible Cardboard Lounge Bed is a curved scratcher that sits on the floor and has a corrugated scratching surface on both sides. Because it is two-sided, you can turn the scratcher over when one side has been fully scratched down, thereby doubling its life.

The curved shape not only enables your cat to stretch out and really get some momentum behind their scratching, but it also provides a comfortable surface for your cat to lay on, so this scratcher doubles up as a lounging area. The curved design means that the scratcher is attractive, with a modern grey frame, and it is very reasonably priced. The scratcher is coated in catnip, which will encourage most cats to at least investigate the scratcher.

The double-sided curved design and low cost of the Aibuddy Curve make this our best overall cat scratcher in the UK.

The Conlun Cat Scratcher Box With Cat Scratching Board is a cardboard box with a double-sided scratching board that can be placed in the bottom of the box and turned over when it has been fully scratched on one side.

The small box is suitable for cats weighing up to around 11 pounds. Although the dimensions are quite small, it will suit those cats that love to curl up and squeeze inside confined spaces. The box shape not only encourages cats to get in and curl up, but it means that the torn pieces of the scratcher are retained inside and are easy to clean up. If you have a larger cat, they do sell a larger box that will hold cats up to 20 pounds.

The low price and simplicity of the Conlun Cat Scratcher Box mean that it is our choice as the best cat scratcher in the UK for the money, and it even comes with a choice of two designs. However, it could do with having slightly larger dimensions for chunkier felines.

The Catipilla Wall-Mounted Cat Scratcher is a premium scratcher that uses natural sisal as the scratching material rather than corrugated cardboard. Sisal is a good choice of material because it is robust but soft and textured enough that most cats will instinctively take to scratching it.

The fixing brackets are screwed into the wall, so they are securely fitted, and you can buy additional fixing brackets so that you can move the post from one room to another. Because it can be placed above ground level, it gives your cat the opportunity to really stretch out and get some decent momentum behind them when going to town on the sisal.

The Catipilla scratcher is expensive, but it is made from quality materials and offers a longer-lasting alternative to corrugated cardboard alternatives. Although the post is fixed in place once, it can be removed and turned so that you can offer a previously unscratched section while hiding any frayed areas at the back.

Different cats have different preferences, and some cats seem to change their idea of scratching heaven on a daily basis. The Aibuddy Cat Scratcher Tunnel & Pad Bed Lounge is a cylindrical-shaped scratcher with a solid interior and a scratching surface right around the outside of the tunnel. It is ideally suited to those cats that love to get in tunnels or those that you find hiding in drawers and other dark spaces.

The flat bottom ensures that the tunnel doesn’t roll around when your feline friend is inside, and it allows for multiple playing opportunities. The tunnel comes with a pouch of catnip that can be used to encourage early exploration of the scratcher.

The Aibuddy Tunnel is quite expensive, but there is a lot of scratching surface. This is a multipurpose scratcher, lounger, and tunnel. While the flat bottom does prevent the tunnel from rolling when your cat is inside, it doesn’t prevent the scratcher from rolling when your cat is busy scratching it.

The ComSaf Cat Scratcher, Oval Corrugated Cardboard Scratch Pad is shaped like a cat bed and has a corrugated cardboard scratch pad base. The sides are also made from corrugated cardboard but finished in an imitation wood grain that is attractive. The walls of the oval are strong enough to support a lounging cat, so it does double as a cat lounger. The bottom pad can also be reversed, which means it will last twice as long. As with scratcher boxes, the enclosed oval design means that any bits of cardboard that get scratched off will be retained inside the box, preventing a mess on the surrounding carpet.

The ComSaf Oval Scratcher is quite expensive, and while the bottom pad holds up well to scratching, the side walls can become damaged if your cat scratches them vertically. If your cat likes to really stretch out, either when sleeping or scratching, the oval will be too small for medium to large cats.

The Vivaglory Cat Scratcher Cardboard With Box is essentially a scratcher pad encased in a shallow box. The corrugated cardboard pad can be removed and replaced, and the included pad is reversible, so it will last twice as long. The box itself is only slightly taller than the pad, so it isn’t particularly useful as a lounger or bed, but the raised sides are designed to keep frayed bits of cardboard within the unit rather than on the floor.

The Vivaglory Cat Scratcher is inexpensive and includes a pack of catnip that can be used to encourage your cat onto the pad. The shiny base of the box will move around if placed in the middle of a hard surface and if your cat scratches from outside the box. It can be placed up against a wall or on a carpeted surface to prevent this. While the slightly taller sides prevent some cardboard from escaping, you will still find bits on the floor around the box.

There are plenty of different surfaces in a house that cats can take to scratching. One surface that some cats particularly enjoy is that of the side of the sofa. Even if you give your cat multiple scratching posts and scratchers, your feline friend may still prefer the couch.

The Navaris Cat Scratch Mat Sofa Shield is designed to cover the end and arm of the sofa so that your cat can scratch without having to worry about damage to the furniture. The mat is covered in natural sisal that is thick enough to prevent damage to the furniture underneath and offers a good scratching surface for your cat. The mat is reasonably priced and fits over the arm of some chairs easily.

However, it is difficult to fit onto some chairs, and you might struggle to get the tight fit that is required.

The Pizz Annu 3 Pack Cat Scratching Pad is a set of 3 corrugated cardboard scratching pads. Two of the pads have a single wave design, while the other has multiple waves. The whole set can be put together, which will give your cats the fun and excitement of knocking them over, or they can be used separately.

The different designs offer a wide variety of shapes and configurations. As well as making good scratchers, these pads are also good for lounging and lazing on. Individually, the three pads are quite small and may not be the best option for large cats. The corrugated cardboard also seems quite soft and is easy for vigorous scratchers to quickly tear through.

The PetCheer Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge Bed is an attractive-looking cat bed with a black frame and an infinity symbol shape. All the horizontal surfaces of the scratcher are made from corrugated cardboard, so there are plenty of surfaces to scratch, and the whole thing can be flipped when one side is badly damaged. The package also includes organic catnip to encourage inquisitiveness.

The PetCheer Lounger is quite expensive and is only really suitable for kittens and small cats because it is a lot smaller than the images suggest. However, it does look attractive and can be reversed to increase its lifespan.

The M&MKPET Natural Sisal Cat Scratcher Mat is essentially a doormat made from sisal. Sisal is a good material for scratchers because it is durable but still soft enough to attract cats. The mat design means that the scratcher can be placed on any floor or horizontal surface, or it can be attached to a wall to provide a wall-mounted scratcher. However, it is a very basic design, and it may take some effort to convince a cat to use it.

The scratcher mat is especially useful to deter cats that scratch specific areas of carpet or ones that scratch doormats, but it may take a lot of catnip to encourage your cats onto it. Also, the mat is delivered folded, and it is very difficult to get rid of the creases that form during shipping.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Buy the Best Cat Scratcher in the UK

Cats have some seemingly peculiar habits, and while every cat is different, they all have a natural desire to scratch. If you don’t provide an acceptable scratching surface, you may find that your furniture, carpet, and even your walls suffer from the claws of your cat.

Why Do Cats Scratch?

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. They do it primarily for the following reasons:

• Claw Maintenance: Scratching helps maintain the health and condition of a cat’s claws. It removes dead claws and sharpens the rest. Outdoor cats will typically scratch against trees, fences, and other abrasive surfaces. If yours is a house cat, they will have to find some other surface to scratch against.
• Marking Territory: Cats have scent glands in the paws on the bottom of their feet. When they scratch surfaces, they leave their scent behind. This enables them to find their way around, and it also warns other cats and other animals that this is their territory.
• Stress Relief: If you’ve ever watched a cat really going to town on a scratcher, you will have seen that it helps to reduce stress and can alleviate anxiety.

Scratcher vs. Scratching Post

There are multiple types of items that you can give to your cat to scratch rather than them using furniture or your legs. Scratching posts are vertical columns that are typically covered in sisal or jute. Scratchers are pads, mats, or boxes that offer your cat at least one scratching surface.

It is a good idea to give a cat multiple scratching surfaces in the areas that they most often frequent. If your cat scratches furniture, try offering a scratching post nearby or use a sofa scratching mat. If they scratch at rugs or carpet, offer a box or other scratcher to discourage this behavior.

Corrugated Cardboard vs. Sisal

Scratchers are typically made from corrugated cardboard, although you will find some that have a sisal covering. Corrugated cardboard is inexpensive, and the corrugation gives the material holes that make it easy to scratch. However, cardboard is easily frayed, and you do need to ensure that you choose a good quality cardboard scratcher, or your cat will make very short work of the scratching surface.

Scratcher Types

Every cat is different and has different preferences. Depending on your cat, you can choose from the following types of scratchers to sate their scratching desire.

Flat 

A flat scratcher can be as thin as a doormat or as thick as a box lid, but it is horizontal. A flat scratcher can be used as a bed or a lounging area, as well as a scratcher.

Box 

A box is a horizontal scratcher but with walls around the outside. The box can be rectangular but may also be oval or another shape. As well as providing a place for your cat to lay down and a surface to scratch, the box design means that any pieces of damaged or frayed cardboard from the scratcher will be contained within. It won’t get out and cause a mess on the floor around the scratcher.

Lounger 

Loungers can come in many shapes, although they will usually be curved in a wave shape. These are designed to let your cat lay down and sleep, but the curved design can also facilitate a greater range of scratching positions.

Wall-Mounted Scratcher 

Most cats love to stretch out as they scratch. It allows them to really get a good scratching motion, and it can help to relieve physical tension. Wall-mounted scratchers are usually mounted to the walls using screws, and they can be hung at any height to meet the needs of your cat. These do leave screw holes when removed, however.

Reversible Scratchers

When looking at scratchers, you will see some that claim to be reversible or that have a reversible pad. This means that the scratcher element of the product can be turned over to reveal another scratching surface. Effectively, this doubles the life of the scratcher, and it means that you won’t have to find replacement pads and mats.

Conclusion

Cat scratchers enable cats to scratch a natural itch. They can also prevent scratching damage to your furniture, carpet, and even your legs and walls. With so many different types of scratchers available, it can be difficult to choose the right one.

Above, we have listed 10 of the best cat scratchers in the UK to help you decide. To recap, we found the Aibuddy Curve Scratching Pad to offer the best overall combination of value for money and quality, while the low-priced Conlun Cat Scratcher is quite basic but does the job asked of it while carrying a low price tag.

• Related Read: 10 Best Cat Trees in the UK

Featured Image Credit: Ferenc Horvath, Unsplash