Probably every household with a cat has had a basic rectangular cardboard scratcher at one time. I’m always on the lookout for creative ways to disguise this somewhat uninteresting, but necessary, cat accessory. The Cat’s Boat from Japan caught my eye, with its sleek lines and natural wood. This wooden frame holds the cardboard insert while creating a small raised bed for a cat to lounge in. The frame also has non-skid feet to keep the scratcher in place.
Available from a number of Japanese websites (Rakuten, Fusion8186, gmo-toku.jp & real-style.jp) for 9,800¥, or about $107 US.
Check out these photos from Sei Katsu-sha of a very handsome fellow trying out his new boat:
via OhMyCat
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:00 am
This is such a great idea! Beautiful design and so practical. My cat would absolutely love one of these, he’s a cardboard scratching maniac. I spend hours scooping up little bits of cardboard from the floor!
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:25 am
Very sleek scratcher. I bet the cats like that it is somewhat box-like, with the raised sides. I think it would be too narrow for our Maine Coon-type boy, though. Not that size would stop him from squishing his 14lbs inside it.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
This looks great! So much better than the boring cardboard
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:26 pm
What a great idea. My kittehs would like even higher sides and use it as a hidey-hole/scratcher.
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:18 pm
That is great!My kitties would love it. I would like it since I would dump the cardboard pieces in the trash instead of sweeping them up. Those pieces end up all over the house!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Of course, a Japanese designer would come up with this! Fabulous, and that’s a gorgeous silver tab, btw.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Like this a lot, but my boy is very large, he’d never fit…. Do they come in the jumbo size?
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Beautiful! I have a friend who is into anything Japanese… this would make a great gift :O)
February 24th, 2010 at 4:06 am
Love the design, but seems a bit small; I’d be afraid that my big cats would sink their claws into the wood on the sides instead of the comfy cardboard.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 am
That’s a nice way to disguise the cardboard.
My cats LOVE card board. When I bring a new one home they all act like they are on crack…lol…
BUT, there is a prob. finding the right size replacement boards, so I just put them on the floor and they make a mess… This, though seems like a not only esthetically pleasing option, but also practical.