Best Cat Scratching Posts & Trees for Australian Cats (2026 Guide)

Cats scratch. It's not a bad habit to train out — it's how they mark territory, stretch their spine, and shed the outer layer of their claws. The only real decision is whether that happens on a post you bought for the purpose, or on your couch. Most "my cat won't use the scratching post" complaints actually come down to buying the wrong post, not a stubborn cat.

Why some scratching posts get ignored

A post that's too short, too wobbly, or wrapped in the wrong material gets one exploratory scratch and then gets ignored for the arm of the sofa. Cats want something tall enough to get a full-body stretch against, stable enough not to wobble or tip when they dig in, and textured enough to actually catch their claws — which usually rules out cheap carpet-wrapped posts in favour of sisal rope or sisal fabric.

What to look for

• Height. Look for a post your cat can fully extend up against — for most adult cats that's at least 70–80cm.
• A wide, weighted base. Tipping over once is often enough for a cat to write a post off permanently.
• Sisal rope or sisal fabric, not carpet — carpet visually confuses cats about what's okay to scratch (your carpet included).
• Placement near where they already hang out — a post in a spare room gets ignored no matter how good it is.
• Multiple posts for multiple cats — as a rule of thumb, one post per cat plus one extra, spread across the rooms they use most.

Our picks

Best for multi-cat households: Coconut Tree Cat Scratching Post & Play Tower

A proper vertical tower gives more than one cat a scratching spot and a perch at the same time, which matters in multi-cat homes where floor-level territory gets contested. The tiered platform design also gives a nervous or lower-ranking cat somewhere to retreat to above the action.

Best for refreshing a worn-out post: Sisal Rope Cat Scratching Post Replacement

If you've already got a post your cat loves but the sisal has been shredded down to the cardboard, replacing just the scratching surface is cheaper than replacing the whole unit — and keeps a cat's established favourite spot instead of asking them to adopt a new one from scratch.

Best for small spaces: Accordion Cat Scratcher Toy with Bell Balls

Not every home has room for a full tower. This compact, low-footprint scratcher works well as a second scratching zone near a favourite napping spot, or as the only option in a small apartment — the bell balls add a bit of play value most flat cardboard scratchers don't have.

Already have a post but the scratching continues?

Buying the right gear solves most of the problem, but if your cat has an established habit of scratching a specific piece of furniture, redirecting that takes a bit more than just placing a post nearby. Our guide on how to stop your cat scratching furniture walks through the redirection process step by step.

Pair it with a window spot

Scratching posts cover the physical need to scratch and stretch — pairing one with a sunny vantage point covers the other thing cats want most. See our guide to choosing a cat window perch for the other half of a cat-approved setup.

FAQ

How many scratching posts does a cat need?

One per cat plus one extra is a reasonable starting point, placed in the rooms they spend the most time in rather than tucked out of the way.

How do I get my cat to use a new scratching post?

Place it near their existing scratching target or resting spot rather than somewhere convenient for you, and consider a light rub of catnip on the surface to encourage the first few uses — after that, cats generally return to a post that's actually satisfying to use.

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