Introducing the brand new modern cat scratcher from moderncritter. This elegant bent plywood form stands three feet tall and can be configured in a variety of ways — hang it on the wall to create a raised perching shelf, lean it against the wall requiring minimal floor space, or lay it on the floor for cats who prefer horizontal scratching. Made of molded plywood with walnut veneer and finished with a clear matte lacquer, the moderncritter scratcher is designed using FLOR carpet tiles as the scratching surface. Carpet tiles are easy to change when carpet becomes worn or just to customize your scratcher to match your decor.

Completely made and assembled in the USA. Available directly from moderncritter.

Graphic designer Irina Block has given new life to a favorite 1970s craft material, thermoplastic a.k.a. Shrinky Dinks. Irina’s line of mod jewelry, available at i love blocks, features hip graphics and bold colors in thermoplastic. By experimenting with this inexpensive material–which is also very durable and non-toxic–Irina seeks to create unpretentious wearable art that challenges conventional jewelry concepts.

Two of my favorites are the cat bracelet and necklace shown here, but there are lots of terrific and extremely witty designs to choose from. Check them all out at i love blocks or head on over to superdumb supervillain where Naomi is currently running a giveaway and you can win the i love blocks necklace of your choice.

This unique pet bed provides a cozy cave-like napping spot for kitty and gives you peace of mind with its eco-friendly materials. The Bella Bed by Bella Creature Comforts features an unusual baffle design that conforms to your pet’s body, providing comfort and support. The exterior is made from Eco2 recycled cotton fiber and the interior fiberfill is recycled PET. All materials are hypoallergenic and washable. Available in a variety of color combinations and sizes, the small bed is perfect for cats.

Buy it now at The Cat Connection.

Moderncat reader Cathy makes these fun, catnip filled Santa Mice for sale at her Etsy store. Each mouse is made of heavy cotton, filled with 4 ounces of organic catnip, and stitched with an industrial sewing machine. Don’t even try to hide this gift under the tree, kitty will be sure to find it right away!

Here are a few fun holiday gift ideas for the moderncat lover on your list:

Holiday Hint Mints Limited Edition Artist Series by Shag
Featuring the signature mod Shag cat on the tin, this little box of mints is a holiday must-have.

Red Tango Retro Swirl Cat Mirror Compact
Pop one of these metal mirror compacts in a cat lover’s stocking for a fun surprise. Decorated with a super-cool Red Tango kitty graphic in your choice of three fun color combos.

Cat Yoga Mini Note Pad Three Pack
Three little notepads, each featuring one of the classic yoga positions for cats from the Cat Yoga book by Rick Tillotson.

Something new from IKEA, this is the Bastis Blond scratching post and climbing tree. This is a large item, standing almost 71 inches tall. Made of rattan on a steel frame, the tree mounts to the wall with the shelves hidden behind the large scratching surface. You’ll have to make a trip to your closest IKEA to check it out in person, since it is only available in stores.

Looking for a cat sculpture that isn’t cutesy? Jonathan Adler to the rescue. These two modern ceramic cat statues are from Jonathan Adler’s Menagerie Collection of whimsical and stylish pottery animals. The cats are available in two styles, the Medium Cat (side facing) is 12 1/2 inches tall, and the Tall Cat (forward facing) is 15 1/2 inches. Both are finished with a matte white glaze.

I just heard about a boutique in Denver, CO that specializes in contemporary furniture made with pet-friendly fabrics. The Livable Home offers a line of stylish furniture upholstered in durable fabrics that are stain and soil resistant. Most of their fabrics are also odor repellent and water resistant.

In addition to human furniture, they make this custom pet bed, sized to your pet and available in your choice of fabric.

With an extensive selection of fabrics and furniture–including sofas, ottomans, chairs and sectionals–there’s sure to be something for you. If you’re ever in Denver, stop by the Livable Home store, or take a look at their online catalog.

Thanks to Danielle for the tip!

Craft maven Martha Stewart comes through again with two more DIY cat items. This time we have a heated cat bed and this woodsy cat tree. Both are certainly minimal and could fit nicely into a modern home. The cat tree would definitely make a good conversation piece. Directions for both are on marthastewart.com.

I finally went out today and purchased the Bissell SpotBot Pet, and I have to say I LOVE THIS THING!! I live in a relatively small condo with four cats and wall-to-wall white carpet that I had specially imported from Italy. The day I had the carpet installed, I knew it would only be a matter of time and, of course, within 24 hours the urping began. It is my own fault for wanting white carpet. I have found some relief, first by switching their food to Pet Promise which is free from dark colored dyes like many other cat foods, plus it’s all-natural and much better for them, and second, by using the Furminator regularly to reduce shedding and hairballs. Alas, I have still needed the Cat Vomit Signs many times.

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There is really no cooler cat than the super-mod RedTango. This retro kitty is the creation of artist Cynthia Petrovic who grew up drawing and developed a passion for cartooning. She spent time working in the TV animation department at Warner Brothers and now develops licensed characters.

From handbags to t-shirts to clocks, RedTango appears on all kinds of fun items in a variety of cool color combinations. These coin purses and business card holders would make great stocking stuffers. Be sure to get one for yourself, too! Both can be purchased at The Cat Connection.

Just in time for the holidays, these three new books would make excellent gifts for any moderncat lover on your list. From cat care, to activities and entertainment, to fun cat trivia–pick one and curl-up on the sofa with a warm cat on your feet.

Good Catkeeping - by Diane Morgan
This all-inclusive guide provides a daily care reference for the modern cat lover. Includes up-to-date information on raw and natural diets, helpful travel tips, plus explanations and solutions for problem cat behaviors. The perfect resource to help any cat owner better understand and care for their feline companion.

50 Games to Play With Your Cat - by Jackie Strachan
Cats require regular mental and physical stimulation in order to stay happy and healthy. This book features games and activities that are easy to set-up and play with your cat, as well as expert tips that explain kitty’s playful behavior.

Planet Cat - by Sandra Choron, Harry Choron and Arden Moore
Just for fun, Planet Cat features 400 lists of all things cat. Read about famous cats in history, art, and literature, plus how to say cat in 46 languages and which human habits drive cats crazy. There’s even an IQ test for your cat.

All three are available through the Moderncat Store along with several other recommended titles.

The folks at George have a whole assortment of treats that are sure to please kitty this holiday season. She will flip over the Heads & Tails dried Japanese sardines, and you will love the colorful letter-pressed window bag. Make sure to get her a Felt Toy in the shape of the famous George stick logo and stuffed with organic catnip. And don’t forget her Holiday Stocking filled with all-natural cat treats flavored with sage and rosemary. These treats will keep kitty purring all the way to the New Year.

If you’re looking for eco-friendly options in cat towers as well as clean, contemporary design, then these models from TrendyCat may be just the thing for you. Handmade in the USA from solid bamboo with absolutely no particle board or MDF, the TrendyCat towers are some of the greenest cat furniture I’ve come across. The towers are available in three sizes ranging from 3 feet to 5 feet tall, and come in two finishes, the lighter natural color and a darker caramel color, which is actually produced by caramelizing the bamboo during the manufacturing process, not simply by staining it. The bamboo is finished with non-toxic satin polyurethane.

The medium and tall towers shown above both include two cantilevered sisal-covered shelves, perfect for perching or scratching. Replacement shelves can be purchased separately if the sisal becomes worn over time. All three models, including the small tower, have padded cushions, which are also replaceable.

These towers are a bit of an investment, but they offer the kind of quality that is sure to last for many years.

Available directly from TrendyCat.

The designers at Vurv Design–creators of the Wowo Pet Bed–also offer the elegantly simple Ellipse Pet Bed. Made from molded plywood and available in a number of wood veneers, the sides of the bed create just the right curve to draw kitty in for a nap and keep her snoozing for hours.

Moderncat has been named blog of the month by the Pet Blog Network! To learn a little bit more about Moderncat, check out the featured blog Q&A.

Thanks to all the Moderncat readers. I hope you have as much fun reading as I have researching and writing!

This month Moderncat is giving away a brand new Pod Bed from Hepper Home. The winner will get to choose one of six colors, Earth & Sky, Herringbone, Spring Bud Green, Candy Pink, Sky Blue, or Racetrack Graphite. We’re very excited to have this cool new company sponsor our second giveaway. Just sign-up to receive email updates form Moderncat and you’ll be entered to win. If you’re already receiving updates, you’re already entered. Get all the giveaway details here.

Congratulations to Page from Oklahoma City, winner of the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed in the November Moderncat giveaway! Page chose a Jet Black carrier and I’m sure she will enjoy it.

Thanks to everyone who entered and thank you to the folks at Meowme for sponsoring the giveaway. If you didn’t win but you’d still like a Sleepypod, they are available at the Moderncat Store.

Stay tuned for details about the December giveaway!