10 Best Scratching Post for Maine Coon Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Maine Coon cats are a whole lot of cat with a whole lot of claws. These gentle giants still need their exercise to stay happy and healthy, but many scratching posts just don’t measure up. We’ve scoured the reviews to bring you a few of the top scratching posts for Maine Coon cats. We hope that this roundup will help you compare options and find the perfect scratching post for you.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher	Built strong enough to hold your Maine Coon Three levels for maximum enjoyment Modern and stylish design	Check Price
Budget Buy		Way Basics Incline Scratcher	Lower priced option Two adjustable angles Exciting cardboard scratch zones	Check Price
		Frisco Modern Cat Tree & Condo	Extra tall height Lots of options for scratching and climbing Two posts covered in sisal rope	Check Price
		Frisco Cat Scratcher & Lounge	Reversible, exciting curves Satisfying cardboard to tear into Comfortable perch	Check Price
		Frisco Faux Fur Cat Tree	Tall vertical scratching posts Four sturdy towers Easy to assemble	Check Price

The 10 Best Scratching Posts for Maine Coon Cats

The Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher by Hepper is a fantastic choice for your big Maine Coon buddy and is our pick for for best scratching post for Maine Coon cats Built tough with sturdy birch plywood and a safe, non-toxic gloss finish, it’s like a cozy entertainment spot designed just for your gigantic furball. Getting this scratcher isn’t just a purchase; it’s like investing in a stylish and fun place for your Maine Coon to relax and play while looking modern and chic.

Its innovative setup makes the Hi-Lo Scratcher perfect for Maine Coons. Its three different positions (high, low, and lower) fit how your cat likes to play on any given day, and will help them to stretch, move around, and keep both their body and brain active. And, the scratcher’s tough cardboard surface is made to handle your Maine Coon’s strength. It gives them a satisfying scratching experience that can handle their powerful claws. Some cat owners like other materials for cat scratchers, which Hepper hopes to expand into in the future, but for now the cardboard is an excellent option that they stand behind. The Hi-Lo Scratcher meets the special needs of Maine Coon cats and offers strength, versatility, and endless fun for your feline friend.

At Pet Keen, 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!

The Way Basics Incline Cat Scratcher is another great option for cat owners looking for a cardboard scratcher. The Way Basics scratcher is a triangular-shaped scratching post that can be set against a wall for a near-vertical angle or put flat on the ground for a gentle incline. It features an exciting cardboard scratching surface that will make cats love to play and is scented with organic catnip to draw interest to the scratcher and away from your furniture. We found it to be the best value option on the market.

The cardboard construction does mean that it is less long-lasting than some of the other options available, especially if your cat has a preferred scratching area. It is also one of the shorter options on this list, with a height just over 17 inches, making it less ideal for larger Maine Coons.

If your kitty likes to live a high life, the Frisco Modern Cat Tree & Condo is the best luxury option out there. As a combination of scratching post and perch, this cat tree can fill many of your Maine Coon’s needs in one. Two vertical scratching posts form the main scratch zones for this tree, and if you have a really tall cat, the 41-inch taller post might be just what you need. The perch also includes a woven sisal mat to scratch and play with.

One disadvantage of this style of scratcher is that the sisal might become worn down over time, leaving the post a little less exciting. This combination item is also on the higher end of the price range for scratching posts.

For cats who prefer exploring a horizontal surface to a vertical, the Frisco Cat Scratcher and Lounge Modcurve is a great choice. It features a unique curved shape that can be a comfortable perch or an exciting scratching playground. The Modcurve is made of layered cardboard that cats love, as it makes satisfying tearing noises as they scratch. The curve can also be flipped for more scratching surfaces and a new set of curves. Although it is only 12 inches tall, making it not suitable for vertical scratching, its 27-inch length means that even the biggest Maine Coons will have space to stretch and scratch.

With four perches and four scratching posts, the Frisco Faux Fur Cat Tree is the perfect choice for a cat who likes height. Each support beam is covered in sisal rope, making it a great choice for scratching and climbing. And because the scratching posts reach as high as 41 inches, even the biggest Maine Coons will be able to scratch to their hearts’ content. Reviewers also say the tree is easy to assemble and well-liked.

Like any scratching tree, the sisal rope and fur won’t hold up forever, especially if your cat is a heavy scratcher. In addition, this all-vertical design won’t appeal to every cat. Without any variety in angles, some cats will grow bored and move on to more challenging scratching areas—like your furniture.

The PetFusion Large Vertical Cat Scratcher is a sleek triangular scratcher made of crunchy and satisfying cardboard. Its slightly concave sides make steep angles that many cats love to play on. The design also creates an interior cubby where cats can lounge and explore.

It comes in two sizes, with the large size topping at just over 21 inches. The height plus the angle is a good combination, making it tall enough for almost all Maine Coon cats. It is also easy to rotate and flip, making the cardboard last longer.

One drawback to this design is the need for more variety in angles. Some cats are overjoyed to keep scratching at the same spot forever, but many cats will get bored and be less stimulated by the symmetrical design.

Another great choice for a flat-scratching cat is the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge, which features a great curved design with several different angles and surfaces. It is constructed of layered cardboard that cats will find fun and exciting to rip into. With a generous 34 inches length, cats of all sizes will enjoy stretching and scratching on its surface. The scratcher is flippable, stretching out its lifespan. The biggest drawback is the lack of vertical options, making it only ideal for cats who like scratching horizontally.

With a 29-inch height, the Catry Modern Jute Cat Tree & Condo is a good compromise between a towering cat palace and a too-tiny scratching post. It features a cat condo and perch connected by 13 inches of jute-wrapped scratching post, placing the post at an attractive height for many Maine Coons. The highest point of the scratching post is 26 inches above the ground. The nook below and perch above are great for mid-sized cats to rest and explore, making it a great 3-in-1 deal.

Despite its advantages, this tree also has a few drawbacks. It only has one vertical scratcher, and if your cat loves to stretch to reach it, it is only available from one side. That means that wear and tear will happen much faster. Although the tree is at a great height for bigger cats, many reviewers stated that the perch and condo were a little on the small side. This makes the functionality limited for the biggest cats.

The Petlinks Sky Scratch Cat Scratcher is a sturdy vertical scratching post with a wide base to keep it from tipping. The scratcher is topped with a fluttery feather toy that gets cats engaged and excited to play. With one section of carpet and one section of sisal rope, this scratching post might be an exciting and fresh change of pace for your cat. This post is also made partially from recycled materials, making it a great eco-friendly post.

There are some drawbacks to this scratching post, however. It is on the shorter end with only 13 inches of height, making it less ideal for taller Maine Coons. Some reviewers also complained about difficulties assembling the post, with poor assembly leading to an uneven base that wobbled and discouraged cats from scratching.

If your cat hates cardboard and wants something other than a vertical post, the SmartyKat Scratch Scroll Cat Scratcher is a great option. With a sisal weave and carpeted sections, this horizontally curved scratcher will keep all kinds of cats busy.  The scratcher also features a feathered toy to attract attention.

Despite these advantages, reviews on this scratcher were mixed, with some saying that the construction broke down quickly compared to similar scratchers. In addition, the steep curves of the scroll shape were controversial among cats. A few owners reported that their cats loved it, but others said the curves were too tight to be ergonomic.

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Scratching Post for Maine Coon Cats

When you’re looking for a scratching post, it can be hard to know what your cat will actually use. Maine Coons are big cats, so a sturdy scratcher that won’t wobble or tip is a must. It’s also important to have enough scratching space to be useful. On a traditional vertical post, this means that the post has enough height for your cat to stretch out fully. That height can be slightly lower on an angled scratcher because the cat isn’t stretching to full vertical height. And on a horizontal scratcher, more length is better. If your cat attacks unwanted areas in your house, you can often measure their favorite height to know how much space is needed.

Along with height, every cat has different preferences for scratching. Cats scratch to sharpen their claws and get good exercise. Most cats like to stretch while scratching, and they usually enjoy some angles more than others. Cats also have material preferences that vary from cat to cat.

Types of Cat Scratchers

There are lots of different options for claw sharpening. Scratchers and scratching posts are sometimes used interchangeably but have slightly different meanings. Scratcher is an all-purpose term for a toy meant to sharpen claws.  A scratching post refers to a tall vertical post made for a cat to sharpen claws on. Scratching posts let cats stretch out, but they can be frustrating for older cats and boring for all kinds of cats. Poor-quality scratching posts are also likely to wobble or be too short for good sharpening. Scratching boxes or pad scratchers are often made of cardboard and full of angles and shapes meant to keep cats entertained. Wall scratchers attach to or lean up against walls, and scratching mats go on the floor. Finally, cat trees are combination toys that incorporate perches or hiding places into their design and can have scratching posts or other types of scratchers built in.

Cat Scratcher Materials

There are many options for scratcher materials. Sisal is one of the most common materials. Sisal is a natural fiber that is very tough, making it ideal for long-lasting scratching posts. It can be woven into a fabric, or sisal rope might be coiled around a post. Some cats like sisal, but many cats find it too rough for their tastes. Jute is a similar fiber, but it it’s softer and less durable. It is a great choice for cats with sensory issues. Cardboard scratching posts are usually made of many layers of dense cardboard glued together. Most cats love the sound and sensation of ripping through paper, so cardboard scratching posts are a hit. But unlike sisal, cardboard does wear out fairly quickly. Cardboard scratching posts can also leave shreds around the area, requiring occasional sweeping out. Finally, carpet is often used on cat trees—cats who hate the loudness of cardboard often like a soft carpet. Carpet scratching posts are sometimes harder to find.

How Long Do Scratching Posts Last?

No toy is immortal, and scratching posts, in particular, are not going to last forever. Cardboard scratching posts are usually advertised as consumable, but a good cardboard scratcher should still last anywhere from a few months to a few years. Other types of scratching posts should last a few years, with sisal posts being the longest-lasting. This is one reason why cat trees usually have sisal coverings. When buying scratchers, check the sturdiness of the construction. A high-quality scratching post should last until the scratching zones are worn down, but a low-quality post will often become wobbly and unsafe long before then.

Conclusion

No matter what your Maine Coon prefers, these scratching post reviews will help you choose the right scratcher to fit your needs. We found the best overall scratcher to be the Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher because of its great design and three setup options. If you are trying to cut expenses, the Way Basics Incline Scratcher is our favorite budget option.

We hope these reviews have helped you narrow down the right choice for you and your Maine Coon.

See also:

• 11 Best Tall Cat Scratching Posts – Reviews & Top Picks
• 8 Best Scratching Posts for Large Cats – Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock