I don’t know about your cats, but my Ando will devour an entire live catnip plant if given the chance (then promptly throw it all right back up. Sigh.) So when I saw this cool new scratching post, I was intrigued. It’s the Scratch ‘n Sniff Live Catnip Scratching Post, a beautiful eco-friendly sisal scratching post that contains a live catnip plant safely inside, just out of kitty’s reach. The scent of the catnip will entice kitty to investigate and scratch. This should keep Ando entertained for hours!
This very clever invention is from the folks at Huge 4 Design LLC in Seattle, Washington. Sustainable manufacturing and eco-friendly materials are a top priority for these designers, and it shows in the Scratch ‘n Sniff. They use renewable, formaldehyde-free wood products, all natural sisal, and vegan wood glue to create their products. The catnip plant even comes in a rice hull pot with non-toxic water-based sealant.
The Scratch ‘n Sniff comes with your choice of two different sisal surfaces, natural or spice. You can order it with a live plant, or with a grow-your-own catnip kit. Replacement sisal scratch pads are also available to extend the life of the scratcher.
If you’re worried that your cat might knock over the Scratch ‘n Sniff to get at the catnip, check out the video below to see just how sturdy it is. It looks like it can really stand-up to a rigorous workout. (If you can’t see the video below in your email, click here to watch it on the site.)
The Scratch ‘n Sniff Live Catnip Scratcher sells for $99.99 and is available from the Scratch ‘n Sniff website, from PuuttyPower.com, and from Amazon.
January 7th, 2011 at 8:03 am
I’ll be buying one of these for Earl, who goes absolutely crazy for catnip.
January 7th, 2011 at 8:03 am
Something tells me that the catnip plant will not be safe.
January 7th, 2011 at 8:11 am
No offence, but those cats are small cats, I am pretty sure my year old Ragdoll would have that post knock over in a short span of time to get that catnip. Even in their playing my two, almost knock over the big tree/condo we have. Great idea for calmer cats though.
January 7th, 2011 at 8:11 am
oh and I love the kitty who was more interested in the camera lol
January 7th, 2011 at 9:49 am
What a great idea!!! My eight would love to give it a try!!
January 7th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Cute ! I think my brood would like it .
January 7th, 2011 at 11:14 am
What a great idea!
January 7th, 2011 at 11:46 am
WOW. We NEED this. In fact,we need several of these. Nice to see the ear-tipped tux in the video.
January 7th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Man, I was just thinking of buying some live catnip and a new sisal tower, and here it is all in one! I wonder if it will hold up to my 26-inch orange rex/tabby. It will survive my smaller, less virulent cats. Hey, anything I can do to keep the furry fam away from my houseplants and furniture!
January 7th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
looks wonderful. but I still think I would have to clamp it down.
Now to find a place the plant would get some sun too.
January 7th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
How does the door stay shut? It looks like there is a little slot on the bottom, but I can’t see the actual mechanism in the photo. My cats are pretty resourceful when it comes to greenery, so I would worry that the door wouldn’t stay shut!
January 7th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
VERY clever idea! I swear, we cat people are geniuses!
January 8th, 2011 at 7:55 am
I’d like to see a big Maine coon boy play with this to see just how sturdy it is!
January 8th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
This is so cool. It would look great in my condo and Tiesto-Kitty would be thrilled to have it!
January 8th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
i got one of these for my grandmothers cat, heidi, for christmas. she is an indoor cat and quite the tub (she’s part maine coon so she’s far from a delicate flower). anyway, i thought it would be perfect for her since she doesn’t go outside and could use some good healthy exercise. she LOVES the fresh catnip – and alternates between rubbing and loving and laying on the post to going flat out wild, scratching and climbing. the post is nice and sturdy (heidi hasn’t tipped it over yet despite her best efforts!) and CLEAN! (my grandmother was purchasing the disposable, cardboard scratch post that always left cardboard debris all over the floor). this is a win, win as far as i’m concerned, looks and functionality? you can’t go wrong. well worth it!
January 8th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
This seems pretty cool, but can you leave the catnip plant in the scratching post all day, or do you need to take it out so it can get some sunlight?
January 9th, 2011 at 10:19 am
This is so cool! They would LOVE this
January 9th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Crazy Louie would go gaga for this one!
January 10th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
This should keep my kitty Bandy busy for a few minutes!
June 10th, 2011 at 11:16 am
No one has it in stock out of the three sites listed??? It is either out of stock or on back order. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Otherwise it appears to possibly be a taker!!
February 27th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
I’m really bummed… my cats love this, and part of the reason I bought it was that the sisal panels can be replaced when used up. Well, they’re used up… and it seems that the company has gone out of business! Such a shame, this was my favorite scratcher by far!