Maine Coon cats are well-known for their playful personalities and large size. Maine Coons have muscular bodies, large paws, and can weigh more than the average feline. Female Maine Coons typically weigh between 9 and 12 pounds, while male Maine Coons can weigh up to 18 pounds. Their height and weight mean that a very sturdy scratching post is needed for the scratch-happy Maine Coon. Sturdiness, height, and quality fabric are all qualities to look for when choosing a scratching post for a Maine Coon Cat. Here are some of our reviews of scratching posts to help you decide what post is best for your beloved Maine Coon.
Cardboard, Birch Plywood, Powder-coated metal core
Dimensions:
21 x 15.1 x 13.1 inches
Weight:
11.35 pounds
The Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher is the ultimate choice for large felines, making it our top pick for the best scratching post for Maine Coon cats. Its modern design offers three adjustable angles, ensuring endless engagement for your big feline friend, but it’s also great for kittens, too, so it can be with your cat throughout their life journey. The robust B-flute cardboard body, with sleek wooden sides and a metal core, allows your Maine Coon to indulge in satisfying stretches and full body weight as they scratch. Acquiring this scratcher is more than just a purchase; it’s an investment in a stylish and enjoyable haven for your Maine Coon to unwind and play, adding a touch of modern elegance to your space.
The Hi-Lo Scratcher’s innovative design perfectly suits Maine Coons. Its three positions – high, low, and lower – cater to their varied play preferences, encouraging stretching, movement, and mental engagement. The scratcher’s resilient cardboard surface can withstand the strength of your Maine Coon’s powerful claws, providing a gratifying scratching experience, and you can even buy replacement cardboard when the time is right, ensuring you get a lifetime and more out of this awesome piece of cat furniture. The Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher meets the special needs of Maine Coon cats, offering durability, adaptability, and endless enjoyment for your beloved feline companion, which is why we think it is the best overall scratching post for Maine Coons.
At catsterwebsite-20, 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!
Pros
Made with high-quality, durable materials
Design encourages stretching
Modern and stylish
Easy to assemble
3 positions
Replacement cardboard available
Cons
Enthusiastic scratchers may shred it quickly
2. SmartyKat Scratch Up Hanging Cat Scratcher with Catnip – Budget Buy
The Smarty Kat Scratch Up Hanging Cat Scratcher is a great budget buy out of these reviews. This hanging cat scratcher is made of durable cardboard and can be hung from any doorknob within your home. It is infused with catnip to encourage your Maine Coon to attack the scratcher with their claws instead of your furniture. Hanging the scratcher from our doorknob also encourages stretching, muscle toning, and nail growth, and helps to alleviate any stress your pet might be feeling. The best part of this cat scratcher is that it is ideal for small spaces as it doesn’t take up a large part of your living space.
The Smarty Kat Scratch Up Hanging Cat Scratcher may end up being too high on the doorknob if your Maine Coon is on the shorter side. It is also made of cardboard so be prepared to clean up bits of paper from your floor after your cat uses it.
Pros
Saves space
Cheap
Catnip infused
Cons
Could be too short for some cats
Messy cleanup
3. SmartCat The Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post
The SmartCat Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post provides the best scratching post for Maine Coons for the money. This scratching post has a 32-inch height that sits on a 16-inch by 16-inch square base that keeps the post steady. The free-standing design holds pets up to 30 pounds so your Maine Coon should have no problem using this scratching post. The height of this post allows your Maine Coon to scratch the sisal surface without catching their claws while stretching their long bodies at the same time.
It comes in two neutral colors, beige and gray, to match any home décor, and it is easy to assemble. Some cats may be uncertain about it because it’s covered in a sisal mat instead of a rope wrapped around the structure.
The Petique Feline Chateau Cat Scratcher is the premium choice cat scratcher on our list. Made from recycled and non-toxic cardboard, the whole structure is one giant scratching post for your Maine Coon. The design of this cardboard cat scratcher is sturdy, but the structure is lightweight enough for you to move it around easily. It has several levels to climb so multiple cats can use the scratchboards situated through the structure or just take a nap while the other cats play.
Assembly is required so be prepared to spend some time putting the cardboard pieces together. You can’t buy replacement scratching pads for this structure but there are multiple scratching pads for your cat to enjoy.
Pros
Multiple scratching surfaces
Easy to move
Lightweight but sturdy
Cons
No replacement parts are available
5. SmartyKat Sisal Angle Scratch with Catnip Incline Cat Scratcher
If you’re looking for the best cat scratcher for your Maine Coon kitten, the SmartyKat Sisal Angle Scratch with Catnip Incline Cat Scratcher is your best bet. This cat scratcher has a stable wooden base and a sisal surface that can withstand vigorous kitten scratching. It comes with catnip to attract your Maine Coon kitten and encourage it to use the scratcher. The incline of this scratcher allows for your kitten to stretch as it scratches the surface and becomes familiar with the scratching post.
This is sturdy for kittens but is too lightweight for larger cats. It is on the smaller side so any older cats in the home will likely knock it over if they try to use it.
The PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post is the best multi-sided scratching post on our list. The vertically-curved design is attractive to Maine Coon cats as it allows stretching and scratching all at the same time. This cat scratcher is made of recycled, eco-friendly cardboard and non-toxic glue made from cornstarch. The design features a cubby hole in the middle for your feline to curl up in when they are done playing. The dense, recyclable cardboard has silicone floor grippers to help keep this scratcher steady as your cat scratches it. It also comes with catnip to help encourage your cat to play and scratch with this vertical scratcher.
No assembly is required; just pull it from the box and let your cat go to town! The scratcher can be rotated to get the best life out of the cardboard scratcher. The company does not currently offer replacement parts.
Pros
Three sides for scratching
Silicone floor grippers
Middle cubby hole
Cons
No replacement parts
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Scratching Post for Maine Coon Cats
Scratching posts and their surfaces are very important for the nail growth of your Maine Coon cat. Cats have an outer layer to their claws that must be periodically shed to help reveal new claws underneath. Cats scratch at surfaces that catch their claws to help them shed this outer layer and keep their nails sharp (although anyone who has ever had a cat dig its claws into their lap may wonder at the wisdom of encouraging this behavior). Cats also use scratching posts to stretch and tone their muscles, as well as marking their territory, because the scent that is released from their paws as they scratch lets other cats know they’re in your cat’s territory.
Now that we’ve covered why your Maine Coon likes to scratch, we’re going to talk about a few things to consider before purchasing a new cat scratcher.
Vertical or Horizontal
One of the first things you should consider before buying a cat scratching post is whether your Maine Coon is a vertical or horizontal scratcher. If your cat prefers to reach upward to scratch (your couch may be able to speak to you as to whether your cat likes to scratch vertically), you should look into purchasing a vertical scratching post. If your cat is a horizontal scratcher, you should purchase something that lays along the floor or has many flat surfaces for your pet to scratch.
Material
Some Maine Coons love to scratch at scratching posts made of sisal material while others prefer cardboard surfaces. If you already know what surface your cat likes, you’re all set. If you’re uncertain, you might want to purchase a couple of the cheaper options on this list to see which your cat is drawn to before you purchase a more expensive scratching post.
Our Best Scratching Posts for Maine Coon Cats Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the Best Scratching Posts for Maine Coon Cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about Best Scratching Posts for Maine Coon Cats. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
Searching for a cat scratching post can be intimidating with so many options on the market. The Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher is our best overall pick because it offers 5 different angles for your cat to scratch. The SmartCat Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post offers you the tallest scratching post on our list for the best price. Another good choice is the Petique Feline Chateau Cat Scratcher Toy because it has multiple cardboard scratching surfaces for your furry friends. It can be difficult to determine what the best scratching post option is for your Maine Coon cat, but we hope our reviews make your purchase a little bit easier.
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
