We heard some kvetching out there about the corrugated cardboard sides that panel Everyday Studio's Cat Tree. Perhaps London's WowBow has a better idea with their cat scratcher, onomatopoeiacally named Skritch. Skritch uses sisal in place of cardboard.
WowBow's creed is that "design should not be ignored when providing lifestyle solutions for your four-legged family member," and they stuck to it with this elegantly modern cat scratcher.
Skritch is wall or floor mounted (depending on your cat's predilictions) and features a replaceable sisal tube with vertical ribbing that prevents claw snagging.
Design Within Reach is now carrying a scratching post just like this - I assumed it was from the same company. It's pricey at almost $230 - but good looks are worth the price.
uh...claws snagging is a good thing. one reason that cats scratch is that it helps to remove old layers of their nails. this in turns helps to keep pet owners from having to cut cat claws all the time, not a fun thing to do.
Big improvement, as long as that sisal actually does snag for satisfying claw action.
"Form follows function" seems to break down when it comes to high-design pet goods, which is a pity, as it doesn't seem like the stuff at PetCo needs to be quite as ugly as it is.
oooh, i like it! ok, now i have to figure out how to make one for six bucks.
Sisal is perfect for a cat scratcher - superior to carpet. Cats prefer it and most owners do too. Cats are far less confused about what is okay to scratch when the texture of the scratching post is different (and preferable) to what is on the floor.
Best way to get a cat interested in a new post is to rub catnip into it once a week.
The great thing about a sisal post - just like carpet, you can reupholster it yourself when it has been scratched to death.
speaking of reupholstering your sisal scratching post, does anyone have a good source for sisal? --not already on a post, but something I could use to build my own? (in NYC or online)
Thanks!
I could try this, but I've had bad luck trying to get my cats to use sisal. I've done ok with cardboard and those carpet scratching posts that we all know and hate.
I purchased this at DWR when it was being sold out. It's a beautiful item and very well built but my cats just look at it and walk past. I rubbed catnip on the thing, but they still waltz past. By gosh, it is still a beautiful scratching post.
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