The best cat scratching posts

With a unique wedge-style design to encourage both scratching and stretching, the Kong Naturals Incline Scratcher is a great scratcher for any cat.

Cardboard is one of the least expensive materials used in cat scratchers, but many cats prefer corrugated cardboard to rope or carpet. A cardboard cat scratcher offers your cat an enjoyable experience because it shreds easily and makes a satisfying sound. Our top pick for cardboard cat scratchers is the Kong Naturals Incline Scratcher with its unique wedge-style design and its no-mess construction that is sure to capture and keep your cat's attention.

The Kong Naturals Incline Scratcher features an incline design that encourages both stretching and scratching. It is made from all-natural and recycled materials in a two-sided design for twice the use. This cat scratcher comes infused with catnip and you can purchase replacement pads so your cat never has to go without their favorite scratcher. You'll also love the fact that shredded cardboard residue is trapped inside the scratcher instead of making a mess on your floor. To recharge the scratcher, simply spritz on some Kong Natural Catnip Spray.

We're All About Cats also named this the best cardboard cat scratcher, saying that the "angled scratching pad provides a great stretch and is reversible and replaceable for years of use." This scratcher also receives positive ratings from Petslady, particularly for its eco-friendly and ergonomic design.

Pros: Made from natural and recycled materials, incline design encourages scratching and stretching, comes with American-grown catnip, features unique no-mess pads, eco-friendly and ergonomic, scratch pads are reversible for twice the use

Cons: May not last as long as other scratchers, glued-on label may be difficult to remove, may not support the weight of very large cats, not the most attractive design

Buy the Kong Naturals Incline Scratcher from Chew for $7.99

Durably constructed and thoughtfully designed, the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge combines the comfort of a lounge and the functionality of a cat scratcher.

For a product that combines the comfort of a lounge and the functionality of a cat scratcher, our top pick is the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge. This scratcher lounge is durably constructed from recycled cardboard and made with a thoughtful curved design to encourage scratching while also providing your cat with a comfortable place to nap. Covered by a six-month warranty and double-sided for maximum longevity, this cat scratcher is a must-have. We like it so much, we also named it the best overall in our buying guide for the best cat beds.

Made with a unique curved design, the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge appeals to your cat's senses and feeds their instincts while satisfying their need to scratch and stretch. This scratcher lounge is durably constructed from premium cardboard that outlasts most cardboard scratchers on the market while also minimizing mess. With an attractive modern shape and neutral coloration, this cat scratcher will fit perfectly with your existing home décor scheme as well.

The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge receives rave reviews from pet owners and pet review sites alike. Green Little Cat calls it the "best recycled cardboard cat scratcher and lounge," praising it for its generous size and long-lasting durability. This cat scratcher is a top choice for Fluffy Kitty, and a review from Conscious Cat makes note of its two-sided design which doubles the usability. Best Reviews gives this scratcher their Best of the Best award for cat scratching posts as well.

Pros: Modern design, dual function as a lounge and scratcher, made from premium cardboard that lasts, quality construction for long-lasting durability, stimulates the cat's natural instincts and curiosity, neutral colors work well with home décor, reversible for twice the use, comes with a six-month warranty

Cons: More expensive than some cardboard cat scratchers, may be larger and heavier than other cat scratchers on the market, some cats prefer rope or carpet to cardboard

Buy the Pet Fusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge on Amazon for $49.95

Why you'll love it: Made from premium pressed cardboard with a tall vertical scratching surface, the 4Claws Wall-Mounted Scratching Post offers better durability and stability than many cat scratching posts on the market.

If you're looking for a simple scratching post that takes up minimal space and satisfies your cat's need to stretch and scratch, we recommend the 4Claws Wall-Mounted Scratching Post. This scratching post has a space-saving design and it mounts directly to the wall for added stability. Made from 100% recycled cardboard materials, this scratching post is a great option for cats of all ages.

The 4Claws Wall-Mounted Scratching Post is made from recycled premium pressed cardboard so it appeals to your cat's natural desire to scratch. With its tall vertical design, this scratching post also allows your cat to achieve a full stretch and it has a curved bottom which allows your cat to scratch their rear claws as well as their front claws. It comes with stainless steel mounting hardware for hassle-free installation as well as durability and sturdiness.

Cat Overdose names this scratcher one of its top five picks, noting that it can be used horizontally as well as vertically according to your cat's preferences. This wall mount cat scratcher also receives positive reviews from Heavy.

Pros: Vertical surface encourages scratching and stretching, mounts directly to the wall for stability, comes with mounting hooks and installation guide, made from premium pressed cardboard, space-saving design

Cons: Mounting hooks may damage the wall during removal if caution isn't taken, some cats prefer rope or carpet to cardboard, cardboard material may not hold up as well as sisal rope, may not be big enough for very large cats

Buy the 4Claws Wall-Mounted Scratching Post on Amazon for $29.99

With its unique 3-in-1 design the SmartCat Bootsie's Combination Scratcher offers the ideal combination of versatility, durability, and stability for your cat.

Each cat is unique in their preferences for scratching. Some cats like to stretch as high as they can when they scratch while others prefer a horizontal scratching surface. No matter what your cat's individual preferences, the SmartCat Bootsie's Combination Scratcher is a great option. This scratcher features a unique 3-in-1 design for vertical or horizontal use, and it can also be leaned against a wall to create an inclined surface.

Durably constructed for long-lasting performance, the SmartCat Bootsie's Combination Scratcher comes with hardware for a wall mount as well as rubber feet to prevent slipping. The scratching surface is made from durable woven sisal fiber which naturally appeals to your cat's desire to scratch and outlasts cardboard and other more traditional scratching post materials. This scratching post measures 24 inches tall so your cat can stretch out, but its slim profile saves space in your home.

A review from Cat Overdose speaks to the long-lasting durability of the sisal fiber scratching surface as well as the stability of the design. As one of its top ten picks for cat scratching posts, Heavy describes this cat scratcher as an affordable, durable, and versatile post that can be hung on the wall, mounted on a door, or placed on the floor. Meowtee also gives this scratching post positive ratings, speaking to the product's resilient and durable scratching surface as well as its natural appeal for cats.

Pros: Unique 3-in-1 design for three mounting options, features a durable woven sisal scratching surface, rubber feet provide stability and prevent slipping, comes with an easy wall-mounting system, 24.5-inch height encourages stretching as well as scratching

Cons: May not be big enough for very large cats, some cats simply don't like the sisal scratching surface, some users find that it has a chemical smell at first that wears off over time, not double-sided

Buy the SmartCat Bootsie's Combination Scratcher on Chewy for $19.99

Best cat beds

There are many different kinds of cat beds, and cats, fickle creatures that they are, will all like different beds for special, mysterious cat reasons. Here are the best cat beds you can buy:

• Best cat bed overall: PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge
• Best budget cat bed: Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed
• Best covered cat bed: Armarkat Cave Cat Bed
• Best heated cat bed: K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed
• Best window perch cat bed: Original Kitty Cot World's Best Cat Perch
• Best natural cat bed: Twin Critters KittiKubbi Handcrafted Cat Cave
• Best outdoor cat bed: K&H Outdoor Kitty House

Best cat carriers

Travel makes many cats nervous. To keep your cat safe and secure, you need to invest in a high-quality cat carrier. Cat carriers come in all shapes and sizes with different designs depending on the intended use. Here are our top picks for the best cat carriers:

Best cat carrier overall: Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier

Best budget cat carrier: Necoichi Ultra Light Portable Cat Carrier

Best cat carrier for air travel: Pet Magasin Luxury Soft-Sided Cat Carrier

Best hard shell cat carrier: Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Kennel

Best cat carrier backpack: Pet Gear 1-GO2 Plus Traveler Rolling Backpack Carrier

Best automatic cat feeders

Some automatic cat feeders are simple and easy to use, while others are more complex with a companion app and many special features. Here are the best automatic cat feeders you can buy:

• Best cat feeder overall: PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed
• Best automatic cat feeder for multiple cats: Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder
• Best microchip cat feeder: SureFlap Microchip Pet Feeder
• Best gravity cat feeder: Bergan Petite Gourmet Feeder

The best cat collars

There are a wide variety of different cat collars out there, many of which you may not have ever heard about. Because there are so many cat collars on the market, it can be difficult to make the right choice. We've done the research, and here are our top picks for the best cat collars:

• Best cat collar overall: Rogz Catz Breakaway Cat Collar
• Best customizable cat collar: GoTags Custom Embroidered Cat Collar
• Best breakaway cat collar: Blueberry Adjustable Breakaway Cat Collar
• Best flea collar for cats: Bayer Seresto Cat Flea Collar
• Best GPS cat collar: Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker

The best cat harness and leash

Most cats won't let you get a harness anywhere near them, but some do like a stroll in the park. For those special cats, you need a cat harness and leash. There are several types of cat harnesses available, from basic to vest-style. Here are the best cat harnesses and leash you can buy:

• Best cat harness overall: Kitty Holster Cat Harness
• Best budget cat harness: PupTeck Adjustable Cat Harness
• Best cat harness for indoors: PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Harness
• Best cat harness for large cats: Best Pet Supplies Voyager All-Weather Harness
• Best cat leash: Flexi Vario Cord Leash

The best cat food

Cats need lots of protein and fat in their diets to be healthy, so it's important that you feed them the best cat food. Whether you're shopping for wet cat food or dry cat food, we've researched many cat food brands to give you high-quality options. Here are our top picks:

• Best cat food overall: Ziwi Peak wet cat food
• Best dry cat food: Acana dry cat food
• Best wet cat food: Nature's Variety Instinct wet cat food
• Best grain-free cat food: Wellness grain-free cat food
• Best organic cat food: Castor & Pollux organic cat food

The best medicated cat shampoo

Shampoo for cats is easy to find online, but the sheer volume of options can make it difficult to choose. Lucky for you, we've done the research to bring you our top picks for the best medicated shampoo for cats.

• Best cat shampoo overall: Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
• Best cat shampoo for skin allergies: Earthbath All Natural Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo
• Best cat shampoo for bacterial skin infections: PetMD Benzoyl Peroxide Medicated Shampoo
• Best cat shampoo for fungal infections: Curaseb Chlorhexidine Medicated Shampoo
• Best cat shampoo for fleas and ticks: Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor

The best cat bowls

Some cats are picky about their food bowl. That's why it's important to choose the right one for their needs. When it comes to choosing the best cat food bowl for your cat, there are a number of factors to consider. Here are our top picks for the best cat bowls:

• Best cat food bowl overall: Dr. Catsby's Whisker Relief Cat Bowl
• Best affordable cat food bowl: OurPets Durapet Stainless Steel Cat Dish
• Best double cat food bowl: URPOWER Stainless Steel Pet Feeder
• Best interactive cat feeder: Northmate Catch Interactive Feeder for Cats
• Best elevated cat food bowl: Necoichi Raised Cat Bowl
• Best gravity feeder cat bowl: Bergan Petite Gourmet Feeder