We all know that stereotypical cat owner struggle – you buy a toy for your cat and he/she ends up madly in love with the box it came in instead. Well here’s one thing a cat’s almost guaranteed to love more than the box it came in, because it too is made of cardboard – corrugated cat scratchers. What feline could resist?
There are actually a lot more variations of the traditional cardboard cat scratcher than I ever imagined out there. And my guess is they’ve all got that baseline hard-to-resist charm about them to felines. While my experience with cardboard scratchers is pretty limited – I’ve actually only bought my cat Avery two thus far – both were received far better than the average toy I’ve ever bought him (he’s a pretty lazy, un-playful cat), and one extremely affordable cardboard scratcher actually rivals the likes of cat trees in terms of interest and time spent using it.
Round Cardboard Scratcher Pad – Zooplus.co.uk / eBay
I won’t make you go through every item on this list to find out what it was – it’s the scratcher we got from Zooplus featured in the pictures of this post. An oh-so-simple circular cardboard cat bed, and he uses it religiously, spending hours of each day lounging, napping, and scratching this thing up. I have it placed on a low dresser right next to our dining room table, and Avery will sleep snugly in it beside us the whole while – then refuse to leave even when we’re done eating and my husband and I have gone off to do something else in another room. This kind of obsession is pretty noteworthy, as Avery usually absolutely hates being alone in a room and will typically whine and cry until we come join him for cuddles or even just passive company. Not in the cardboard scratcher bed… he’s happy as a clam whenever he’s there.
The other cardboard cat scratcher I bought him was the traditional type, and while he was okay using it, he wasn’t fond of it unless it was weighed down (which I used lifting weights we had lying around the house to do). I don’t blame him, it’s not exactly easy to scratch something to pieces when it moves around so much due to being so lightweight, and we didn’t have carpeting to place it on to make sure the wiggling was reduced, but still it’s something I don’t think I’ll personally ever buy for him again. Instead of cardboard scratchers, to get his scratch game on in different spots throughout the house, I’ve invested in a bunch of small cat trees, and a couple taller inexpensive cat trees as well. If I ever buy cardboard cat scratchers, they’ll likely be ones that are perfect as dedicated nap spots rather than simply being there to be scratched. Either loungers, more cat beds, or maybe even cat tunnel or hammock Avery can step into or on and doze for an hour or two. I love having little nap spots like these for him, and since cardboard scratchers are so easy to pick up and move, I love the idea of having a number of them to place in spots he likes spending a lot of time in (like in spots by the window that get a lot of sun), to enhance his happy time.
Enough of a preamble? I think so. Let’s delve into a number of the popular varieties of cardboard cat scratchers out there along with my thoughts on when I think they’d be ideal to grab. I realize not every cat’s got the same tastes/likes as Avery, but when it comes to cardboard scratchers, I do feel like most of the popular products are likely to be a hit with any cat.
1. PetFusion Ultimate Cardboard Cat Scratcher Lounge
I really can’t imagine a more beautiful, sleek cardboard cat scratcher than the PetFusion Lounge. It’s absolutely the type of pet furniture I would obsess over getting back when I lived in an apartment with Avery, because it looks like a modern art statue rather than cat furniture, and who wouldn’t be happy to stare at that all day?
Here, where I have a lot more space, I’m willing to have chunky, not so nice looking cat furniture, but if I had moved to a slightly bigger apartment rather than such a large house, I would definitely have opted for this in our living room. Or rather, a matching set, since these gorgeous things are also available in jumbo size, and yes, while I love the look of the regular sized PetFusion Scratcher Lounge, I think the two sizes paired together would look crazy good aesthetically.
So hoping the future of pet products has much of this type of design aesthetic. I can’t get over how lovely it is. An alternative in case you’re looking for something a wee bit easier on the wallet: the Paws & Pals Cat Scratcher Lounge.
2. Catit Wide Scratcher Traditional Cardboard Scratch Pad Box with Catnip
Traditional cat scratch pads are typically the cheapest and easiest way to get a bunch of scratch-approved objects into your home – and this is really helpful if you ever want to try training your cat to stop scratching up human furniture. Cats typically rush to the first scratch-able thing they see to take their claws out on when they feel an itch to scratch, and while you can train them to understand you don’t want them using human furniture to do this type of thing, you’d better have something you’re okay with them scratching up in the vicinity, otherwise that itchy need will trump their desire to please you.
A few different traditional cat scratchers you may want to look at before deciding on the one you want: Petmate’s FATCAT Big Mama’s Scratchy Box, Best Pet Supplies’s Catify Corrugated Cardboard Scratching Pad, OurPets’s Far and Wide Scratcher, & AMZNOVA’s Cat Scratcher Cardboard Scratching Pad.
3. The Original Scratch Lounge World’s Best Cat Scratcher
In terms of affordability and the overall chance that my cat will be absolutely obsessed with a product? This is way up on my list.
As I mentioned in my article about cat box toy type things, cats seem to never get enough of this thing. As one reviewer put it – “If your cat doesn’t like this he’s prob not really a cat” – what more could you want out of a scratcher lounge? And if you think your cat will tear the bottom part to shreds, you can even buy this lounger with replacement scratcher floor refills so you don’t have to re-purchase a completely new one.
It’s not a full-surround cat bed, but I think that makes it better, because it means no matter what size your cat is (even for those extra extra large cats), he or she’s pretty much guaranteed to fit. Not sure if I can grab one of these easily here in Portugal, but if I can find The Original Scratch Lounge for a reasonable price, I think I definitely will.
4. PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratcher and Post
Avery typically loves scratching on slanted scratch surfaces, so this triangle-shaped threes sided cardboard scratcher I think would be completely up his alley as well. I think since he’s such a tall cat, he’d be less likely than most to sit in the middle and have a good hang out, but even as just a scratcher, I think it’d do wonders. Looks very modern and sleek as well, which I always appreciate, and is available in a large size, which I would be tempted to get to increase the chance Avery would actually sit in the center of it. Looks pretty darn durable, and since it’s got three sides, you can just keep rotating it around to get an even wear. Pretty sweet idea, hope more like this pop up on the market.
5. GoPets Premium Cat Scratcher, Reversible Wedge Shaped Corrugated Cardboard
Speaking of slanted cardboard scratchers, this GoPets Premium wedge-shaped board seems to make happy a lot of furry customers. I’ve seen pictures of cats sitting on the bottom portion while scratching on this thing, and it’s so ridiculously cute. The only downside of this thing seems to be cats will probably obsess over it to the point where they shred it to bits, but apparently that’s helped save some cat owner’s couches from claws of mass destruction, so definitely sounds worth it.
Alternatives in case you’re looking include: the FATCAT Big Mama’s Scratch ‘n Play Ramp Reversible Cardboard Toy & the iPrimio Cat Scratcher Ramp.
6. Bergan Turbo Cardboard Scratcher Cat Toy
There are some cardboard cat scratchers that are embedded in cat toys. I think the cat toy + cardboard cat scratcher combination is pretty amazing to most cats. I never actually tried this toy out with Avery because he’s not into ball track toys, but one of my friends has a cat who is obsessed with this thing, and there’s no short of raving pet owners discussing the fine merits of this cat toy in reviews all over the net. It’s so popular a product, I had to mention it in my post about home alone cat toys ideal for keeping your cat entertained while you’re at work. Oh, and to top off the cost efficiency, if your cat likes it as much as you’re hoping, you can simply buy refills for the scratcher section so you don’t have to buy an entirely new toy.
Catit makes a Play ‘n Scratch Cat Toy that’s a direct alternative to this cardboard cat scratcher toy, but if you’re looking for a few more varieties that are different, take a peek at Old Tjikko’s Cat Scratch Pad Toy with Ball & ANG’s Cat Scratcher Pet Ball Toy.
7. Necoichi Cat-Headed Cardboard Cat Scratcher Bed
Avery’s cardboard cat bed isn’t anywhere near as cute as this one, but he loves it all the same 😉
I can’t imagine a better gift for a cat than a scratcher bed. If I could only buy one cat product for Avery ever in his life, I think it’d have to be these. They’re just too well-rounded (pun intended). Nearly everything a cat loves (scratcher, nap spot, comfy seating) in one perfect, affordable, and easy-to-move-around package. I hardly think any other product could compete.
Alternatives to Necoichi’s Cat-Headed Cardboard Scratch Bed include: Vivaglory Cat Scratcher Scratching Pads for Kitties & BobbyPet Cat Scratcher Lounge Bed.
8. Petstages Cat Scratcher Cat Hammock Cardboard Cat Scratching Post
I actually didn’t know a product like this existed until I started looking up cardboard cat scratchers for this post. Obviously a rival product to cat loungers and cat beds, because these things are also perfect for scratching, lounging, and sleeping in.
I thought the Petstages Cat Hammock would probably not be ideal for large or overweight cats, but then I started looking through reviews and apparently even 20 pound Maine Coon cats can enjoy these. Certainly no short of proof that larger cats can fit, but if you’re worried or want to give your cat more space on this hammock lounger, you can do what this genius reviewer did and glue two together for more surface area. Looks damn good, too!
9. Catit Style Scratcher Tiger Pattern Cardboard Scratch Pad with Catnip
I’m pretty sure this is the exact cardboard scratcher pad I got for Avery that I then weighed down with lifting weights to keep in place for him to use. It was great when we were staying at my husband’s grandma’s place with Avery because she has carpeted flooring (though even then I still remember weighing it down for him), but on the wood, he wasn’t at all much of a fan. Still, just because he didn’t like this type of scratcher much, doesn’t mean that’s the general consensus amongst cats. Scratchers with a slight curve are incredibly popular amongst other furry felines.
More curved cardboard scratcher pads you may want to look into before committing to this one include: the Catit Style Scratcher Animal Print S-Chaise Wave Shape with Catnip, the 4CLAWS Curve Scratching Pad, the PetFusion Cat Scratcher FLIP PAD, & the Animals Favorite Corrugated Scratching Pad.
10. PetStages Cat Scratcher and Tunnel, Fold Away Scratching Tunnel
I spoke about this scratcher tunnel recently in my article about cat cardboard houses. Crazy comfortable looking, and yes, similar to the triangle cat scratchers out there, but a little different from a cat’s perspective, I would think, considering the coziness and snugness this tunnel would afford.
11. GoPets Premium Cat Scratcher, Infinity Lounge Corrugated Cardboard
There are a small number of these two-in-one cat scratcher lounges popping up on the market here and there. I think they’re genius considering you get two very different scratchers in one – a lounger and a scratch pad, and they fit perfectly into one another for storage and even interesting configuration purposes. Also, a great way to eliminate waste from a manufacturing perspective, I would think. Why not benefit from the hollowed out inside portion of a scratcher lounge as well as the outside portion? A popular alternative to the GoPets Infinity Lounge 2 in 1 combo that’s got enough room for a cat to squeeze into the middle of the lounge section: the Friends Forever Jumbo Cardboard Lounge.
12. Pawmosa Cat Scratcher, Vertical Cardboard Cats Scratching Post
For cats who love scratching boards that are upright in position, and pet owners who aren’t a fan of getting wall-hanging scratchers because they don’t want to drill into their walls, there’s the Pawmosa Vertical Cardboard Cat Scratcher. I definitely don’t think this one is up Avery’s alley since he’s far too aggressive with scratching and hates movement in what he scratches too much, but there are many cats who this product is certainly for.
Which Cardboard Scratchers Do You Think Cats Love Best?
Have you ever tried buying a cardboard cat scratcher for your pet? Which type did you grab and how did he or she like it?
Looking through these, are there any you think your cat would love? Any you think your cat would completely ignore and never end up using?
Are there some types of cardboard cat scratchers you think would be better loved than others by the majority of cats? I feel like loungers and cat beds are probably the highest up on the list, and regular ol’ cardboard scratch pads are probably lower down, since they have one purpose and if your cat doesn’t like the fact that they’re very light (like mine!) they aren’t all that useful anymore.
What are your thoughts? Looking forward to reading them in the comments down below!
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