One of my all time favorite modern cat products is the Sweet Loungefrom Marmalade Pet Care. And it’s not just my favorite, but the cats absolutely adore it as well. It is almost constantly in use — for both scratching and lounging — and it has held up incredibly well. We’ve had ours for a couple of years now and it shows some wear, as you would expect with corrugated cardboard, but it’s still beautiful. And you can even flip it over to get double use out of this particular design. (I have a little confession, I keep one good side for when company comes over, and the other side is for everyday use.)

If you’ve been eyeing the Sweet Lounge, this is your time to buy. Amazon just reduced the price from $159 to $119.99 and it qualifies for free Super Saver shipping. These are going to go fast at this price!

BONUS GIVEAWAY! ENTER TO WIN!

Marmalade Pet Care is offering a free Sweet Lounge to one lucky reader! To enter, please leave a comment on this post. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on July 29. One entry per person. This giveaway includes free shipping to the contiguous United States (excluding Alaska & Hawaii).

I have coveted the Little Lotus cat tree from The Refined Feline for a while now and we finally had a chance to test one out in the Moderncat household. I can tell you, it immediately became one of the most treasured items in the house.

As you can see, Ando, my lead tester, absolutely loves it. In fact, he almost hasn’t left it since I put it together. He allows his brothers and sisters to visit him on his new throne occasionally, but the top spot is his.

I’ve found Simba curled up in the bottom hideaway several times. It’s the perfect size for a cozy nap.

The Little Lotus is very sturdy and quite easy to put together. I love the white finish, especially in a more modern interior.

If you’ve been eyeing this beautiful piece of modern cat furniture, and if you prefer the white, this is your chance to grab one because the Little Lotus in white is now on sale for $199 at TheRefinedFeline.com. The mahogany, espresso, and honey finishes will be available again in July, but I believe the price will go back up to $249, so take advantage now!

Introducing a brand new company that should be a big hit with all the mid-century modern loving cat owners out there. Coming to us from Seattle, Washington Modernist  Cat offers a new line of handcrafted cat furniture that combines form and function with a mid-century modern aesthetic. From end tables, to bookshelves, to chairs, this line of furniture is truly multifunctional, combining places for kitty to nap and play with functional surfaces for you to use, too. The products are made from Russian Baltic plywood with furniture grade finishes. Removable/replaceable foam pads with washable covers, brushed felt linings, faux mohair scratching surfaces, and chrome plated steel legs all give the Modernist Cat products a sleek look.

The line includes the following:

• Case Study Condo – This sleek and functional condo gives kitty a place to sleep, perch, or play while doubling as a side table or night stand.
• Dot Den – Offers a cozy nest for your cat and a stylish end table for you.
• Mod Mover – Multifunctional cat station and side table on rolling casters with a scratching surface on the side.
• Atomic Stool – A cool stool for you and a hideaway for kitty.
• Edgy Ledge – Kitty climbing shelves that double as bookshelves.
• Litter Hideaway – A stylish way to conceal the litter box and create a side table or night stand.

All of the Modernist Cat products are custom built, allowing you to choose from a wide variety of finishes, fabrics, and other options. Check out the “Design Your Own” feature at ModernistCat.com.

For all those cardboard-loving moderncats out there, this month’s giveaway is a Scratch Tower from Moderncat Studio! If your kitties like to scratch vertically, and if they like the feel of corrugated cardboard, they will love the Scratch Tower. I have one in every room (I need to do lots of testing) and several of my cats cannot walk by the Scratch Tower without giving it a little pick.

And remember, the Scratch Tower is fun for you, too, because you can rearrange the pieces to create all sorts of fun shapes. It’s functional art! Something you won’t mind having in the middle of your living room.

EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN!

To enter the monthly giveaway, make sure you’re signed-up to receive Moderncat updates via email. If you’re already getting the updates but you’d like an EXTRA chance to win this month, please leave a comment on this post. Complete details on the monthly giveaway here. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on June 30. This giveaway includes free shipping to addresses in the US and Canada. International winners are welcome to enter if they are willing to pay the extra shipping charges.

To celebrate Memorial Day weekend we’ve got a great giveaway from AllModernPet.com! Two readers are each going to receive a $50 gift card to go shopping at this fabulous one-stop, online modern pet shopping headquarters! AllModernPet.com offers a huge variety of the coolest modern pet supplies from the top brands, including WetNoz, Holden Designs, Kittypod, Teafco, Designer Catbox, The Refined Feline, Square Cat Habitat, Kitty A Go-Go, Urban Pet Haus, Marmalade Pet Care, West Paw Design, Sleepypod, Cat Livin’ and lots more. These are all Moderncat favorites!

Not only does AllModernPet.com carry all the best moderncat gear — from beds, scratchers, and perches to feeding dishes, carriers, and designer litter boxes — but they frequently offer amazing deals like deep discounts and free shipping.

ENTER TO WIN! TWO WINNERS!

Two lucky winners are each going to receive a $50 gift card to AllModernPet.com! To enter, please visit AllModernPet.com and take a look around, then come back here and leave a comment on this post giving us an idea of what you’d spend your $50 gift card on. There are so many things to choose from! The winners will be chosen in a random drawing on June 4. One entry per person. The gift cards may be used toward the purchase price and shipping charges for any product at AllModernPet.com. Please note that AllModernPet.com only delivers to addresses in the US and Canada.

Don’t miss your chance to win a new Wave modern door-hanging cardboard cat scratcher from Moderncat Studio! Head on over to Pawesome.net to enter. Deadline is May 24.

Introducing a brand new product from a brand new company, check out the Scratch’n Slumber Comfort Center from Brawny Cat. This Washington state-based company knows what it takes to keep cats of all sizes lounging in comfort. They’ve packed all sorts of features into the Scratch’n Slumber, I guarantee it will be a hit.

First of all, the Brawny Cat doesn’t discriminate against full figured felines. The Scratch’n Slumber was created for a very special girl named Big Baby. Here she is modeling for us:

As you can see, Big Baby needs a little extra room to stretch out, so the folks at Brawny Cat created “The Big Baby” Scratch’n Slumber measuring 26.5″ wide and 23.5″ deep. This size is great for “full figured” cats as well as large breed cats. In addition to “The Big Baby”, they created four more sizes (shown below) so you can pick just the right size for your cat.

The Scratch’n Slumber isn’t just a bed, it’s a complete comfort center. The sturdy cedar frame holds a high quality cardboard “padlet” that cats absolutely love to rub, scratch, and nap on. The raised, curved sides provide extra support for kitty’s back and head and a great surface for scratching. Plus. kitty can peek out over the sides to attack unsuspecting siblings.

The cardboard used is very high quality and stands up to quite a bit of scratching, plus you can turn the padlet over when one side is worn and get twice the life out of it. A catch basin in the bottom of the frame holds loose cardboard and catnip. Read more about the features and benefits of the Scratch’n Slumber on the Brawny Cat website.

They sent us one to test and as you can see below, everyone loves. Every time I turn around, someone else is on the Scratch’n Slumber. I’ve moved it all over the house — on the catio, in the living room, in the office — and they always find it. I’ve even seen a little “king of the hill” action happening when it’s time to decide whose turn it is.

Just for reference, this is the B’Tweener model. Left to right: Theo weighs about 17 lbs.; Simba weighs 9 lbs.; and Flora weighs 6 lbs. (she’s tiny). That’s Ando in the top photo and he weighs about 15 lbs.

The Scratch’n Slumber cedar platforms are all handcrafted in Washington state using Western red cedar. Each one is hand-sanded and constructed without glues or stains, just natural cedar.

The Scratch’n Slumber Comfort Centers sell for $169 to $189 US, depending on the size. Replacement padlets are available for $59 to $79.

BONUS GIVEAWAY! WINNER’S CHOICE!

Brawny Cat is offering a Scratch’n Slumber to one lucky winner! The winner will get to choose any size Scratch’n Slumber Comfort Center. To enter, please leave a comment on this post with your feedback about the Scratch’n Slumber. We’d especially like to hear what you think about the size offerings and which size you would choose if you are the winner. Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated, too. The winner will be selected in a random drawing on May 23. One entry per person. This giveaway includes free shipping to addresses in the US and Canada. Overseas readers are welcome to enter if you are willing to pay the extra shipping charges.

Here’s another great scratching post for those kitties who really like to stretch out and scratch. It’s the Ultimate Scratching Post from SmartCat. It measures 32″ tall and has a sturdy 16″ square base. The durable sisal covering is a favorite scratching material for most cats.

The regular price is $81.19 but the Ultimate Scratching Post in on sale now at AllModernPet.com for just $58.95, plus they are offering free shipping.

For a little added fun, you can add a perch to the top. This wooden perch slides on to the post and has a reversible quilted pad for comfort. The perch is usually $29.94, but it’s on sale for $19.99, also at AllModernPet.com.

Last week I showed you the new Wave door-hanging cardboard scratcher from Moderncat Studio, and this week we have another exciting new design to share with you: The Scratch Tower. Also designed in collaboration with the team at Juggernaut Design, The Scratch Tower is a huge hit at my house. We’ve been testing prototypes for months and this thing is definitley a cat magnet.

The Scratch Tower is a freestanding cardboard scratcher, unlike any other scratcher on the market. Just like Wave, The Scratch Tower is held together with compression instead of adhesives, so you can easily replace and recycle the cardboard when it becomes worn. This also allows you to change the configuration of the cardboard pieces to create an endless number of geometric, sculptural designs. You can try different configurations until you find just the right design that suits both you and your cat. And if one area of the cardboard gets worn out, simply rearrange the pieces so kitty can keep on scratching, although the cardboard we used is extremely durable and mine hasn’t shown signs of wear yet, even with repeated scratching.

There are two styles of cardboard pieces to choose from: Trio and Triangle, plus you get to choose either red or black for the ball on top.

Here are just a few of the designs you can make by rearranging the cardboard:

The sturdy base is made of Arreis sustainable design, 100% recycled fiberboard with a high-gloss white laminate on top and four non-skid feet on the bottom to help protect floors from scratching and to provide stability on hard surfaces.

The Scratch Tower measures 11″ by 11″ by 19.5″ tall and the cardboard scratching portion is 6″ by 6″ by 14″. All parts are fabricated in Phoenix, Arizona and hand assembled at the studio. Each Scratch Tower comes fully assembled and ships via USPS to addresses in the US. International shipping is available. The Scratch Tower is available in the Moderncat Studio Etsy shop for $95 US. Replacement cardboard will be available for $30.

In keeping with our scratching theme, I’d like to share with you these elegantly simple and unique scratching posts that offer some different materials for scratching. Natural Scratch is a line of handcrafted scratching posts made of solid natural cork or solid white cedar wood. As we saw in the photos last week, lots of cats like to scratch on wood, so this may be the perfect solution.

Both the cork and the cedar scratchers have incredibly sturdy bases made of red cedar. The cedar post measures 32″ tall and the cork post comes in both 24″ and 32″. These posts have some really great details, designed to entice your cat to scratch, including the antenna toy made of stretchy string, and a “mouse hole” at the top. You can poke the antenna toy through the hole or hide treats or other toys so kitty will reach up to investigate and then dig her claws into the post.

The wood post is made with Wisconsin-grow Northern white cedar. This wood has a nice rough texture that cats love, plus it is very soft, so they can really sink their claws in. The company says that in all the years they’ve been making these posts, no one has ever reported a cat getting a sliver in a paw.

They sent us one of the cork posts to test, and as you can see, it is a big hit. It took a while for them to get used to the new material, but the toy at the top really helped attract them to the post. It gets a lot of use now, and although some crumbs flake off each time it gets clawed, you can barely see any wear. A little vacuuming cleans-up the cork bits. I think we will get many, many years of use out of this scratcher. And the cats especially love how tall it is, they can really get in a good stretch, as Ando and Theo are both demonstrating above.

Natural Scratch just came out with a line of horizontal scratchers, too, in both cork and cedar. They also have the string toy attached, as well as some holes that you can fill with catnip.

All Natural Scratch products come with a booklet with lots of helpful tips for training your cat to use the scratching post.

BONUS GIVEAWAY!

Natural Scratch is offering a 32-inch cork post for one lucky winner! To enter, please leave a comment on this post with your thoughts about the Natural Scratch products. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on May 16. One entry per person. This giveaway includes free shipping to the lower 48 states. Readers outside this region may enter if they are willing to pay the extra shipping charges.

Just found this new line of gorgeous cardboard cat scratchers from German company Cat-on. There are so many different shapes and graphics to choose from, the selection is almost endless! From what I could get translated on the website, it looks like the company offers custom graphics, and, as you would expect from a German company, the production is extremely eco-friendly.

It looks like prices start at €17.50 and go up to €299.95, which includes free shipping within Germany, but I can’t find costs for shipping to the US. Thanks to Mei for the find.

Does your cat have dreams of grandeur? Well, this hilarious new cardboard scratcher can help her fulfill those dreams by allowing her to reenact her favorite 1950s horror film. Cats Attack is a mini cardboard cityscape designed to take kitty’s destructive powers, instead of your sofa. It even comes with a little cutout helicopter toy that you can attach to one of the buildings. I see a lot of photo ops with one of these!

Available now for pre-order from the British site Giftlab.co.uk for £19.95. Thanks to Louise for the find.

These solid cardboard scratchers from CardboardDesign are the perfect way to add a little fun to your living room while giving kitty a place to take out her frustrations, instead of on the sofa. Choose from Standing Dog, Bunny, or Alligator. Each one comes with a cardboard carrying case and some catnip to sprinkle on the scratcher to get kitty’s attention, but I’m sure the cardboard will be a cat magnet right away.

$49 US. Available at CardboardDesign.com.

I’m very excited to share with you the first in a new line of products from my very own Moderncat Studio! Introducing Wave, a modern door-hanging cardboard cat scratcher. This scratcher, along with several other products that will be unveiled in the coming weeks, was designed in collaboration with the team at Juggernaut Design. I’ve been working closely with them to come-up with some unique concepts for cat products that are both modern and functional. We really thought about materials and craftsmanship as well as what would make the products irresistible to cats.

Wave is a sleek door-hanging cardboard scratcher that looks more like modern art than a cat product. In addition to being stylish, Wave is also eco-friendly and cat-friendly. Unlike most cardboard scratchers that are constructed with glue, Wave is held together with compression, eliminating the need for any adhesive. This also allows you to easily replace the cardboard when it becomes worn. Simply remove the used cardboard pieces from the reusable aluminum frame and replace with a new cardboard refill. The anodized aluminum frame hangs from all styles of doorknobs and has a silicone doorknob protector. Overall, Wave measures 17.25″ x 3.5″ x 1.125″ and the cardboard scratch pad is 14.25″ x 3.25″.

Wave is available from the Moderncat Studio Etsy shop for $45 US and replacement cardboard can be ordered for $20. These scratchers are completely fabricated in Phoenix, Arizona and assembled by hand by yours truly. International shipping is available, see the Etsy listing for pricing.

Thank you to everyone who sent in photos of the places and things that their cats scratch. 50 people sent in almost 200 photos, so it’s taken me a little while to go through everything. Scratching is obviously a popular topic on this blog, since I’m always on the lookout for stylish and functional options for cat scratching products and DIY projects. Besides style, there are two much more serious reasons to give the topic so much attention. First, I’d like to strongly encourage all cat owners to provide appropriate scratching surfaces where cats can perform this natural behavior, instead of declawing. Declawing (primarily practiced in the US and actually illegal in many European countries) is inhumane and can lead to far worse behavior issues. Second, destructive scratching behavior can sometimes cause people to give up or abandon their cats, so anything that can be done to prevent this from happening is worth discussing.

My guess is that the majority of Moderncat readers would never dream of declawing or abandoning their cats, but there are lots of others out there who may need some more information to help them manage scratching behavior and live happily with their feline companions. Over the coming weeks, I have several new scratching products to share with you. Since all cats have different preferences when it comes to scratching, I’ve found products with different configurations and materials, sure to please every moderncat out there, so stay tuned! Also, I’ll be choosing a winner from everyone who sent in photos for a special new scratching product giveaway.

For today, I’d like to share with you some of the photos that were submitted by readers who obviously all love their cats very much!

Wood (walls, doors & furniture)

Upholstered Furniture

Cardboard Boxes

Carpeting

Sisal Wrapped Scratching Posts

Other (rattan, banana leaf, leather shoes)

This month we have another great giveaway from our new eco-conscious friends at Purr Post! For the May monthly giveaway, one lucky reader will receive a Purr Post deluxe Perch. At 24″ inches tall, the Purr Post Perch gives kitty plenty of room to stretch and scratch on the supporting column and a nice high perch, perfect for lounging and playing. The stainless aluminum platform and base are both covered with natural wool carpeting, much better than the formaldehyde-filled carpeting on low-quality perches, plus the round shape distributes weight more evenly than square or odd-shaped platforms, making the Purr Post Perch more stable. The bottom has non-skid natural cork padding to protect floors and the central column is made from sturdy, 100% post-consumer paperboard tube covered in natural sisal. And of course, the adhesives used are zero to less than 1% VOC.

EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN!

To enter the monthly giveaway, make sure you’re signed-up to receive Moderncat updates via email. If you’re already getting the updates but you’d like an EXTRA chance to win this month, please leave a comment on this post. Complete details on the monthly giveaway here. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on May 31. This giveaway is open to addresses in the US only.

I had to post this in anticipation of Earth Day! This serious piece of cat climbing furniture comes from the eco-friendly folks at The Sustainability Workshop in Ithaca, NY. “Part sculpture, part cat gym, part contribution to a green and sustainable future,” this unique cat tower is made from re-purposed cardboard (originally used to ship solar panels), diverting a huge amount of cardboard from the landfill.

You can purchase a kit that you construct using your own central pole cut to the right height. The kit includes the components and cardboard sections, which can be rotated around the pole in any configuration.

The kit sells for $375 US on the Sustainability Workshop’s Etsy shop. They say that the cardboard is the highest quality and will last for years. This tower would be quite the conversation piece in an eco-conscious moderncat home, and I’m sure the cats would love it!

Thanks to Jenny for the find.

With Earth Day less than a week away, this is the perfect time to introduce a brand new company that may be producing some of the greenest cat products on the market. Introducing Purr Post, Portland, Oregon-based manufacturer of eco-friendly cat furniture including posts, perches, scratchers and more. All of the Purr Post products are made using organic and natural materials that have been carefully researched. Solid bamboo, stainless aluminum, and natural sisal are combined to create beautiful products that both you and your cat will love. All products are made in the USA.

I’m really impressed with the amount of research that has clearly gone into every aspect of the Purr Post products, including the finishes and adhesives used. This company is obviously dedicated to being environmentally-friendly and cat-friendly. They pay attention to details, right down to the office paper they use!

BONUS GIVEAWAY! Enter to Win A Purr Post Scratcher!

Purr Post is offering one of their bamboo and sisal scratchers for a special Earth Day giveaway! These scratchers are made of solid bamboo with water-based varnish and a natural sisal scratching surface. The scratchers are backed with non-skid natural cork to protect floors. The winner will get to choose either the darker caramel finish or the lighter natural finish.

To enter the giveaway, please visit the Purr Post website to read a little more about the company, then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling us what you think. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on Earth Day, April 22. One entry per person. This giveaway is open to addresses in the US and Canada.

We’re doing a little research on scratching and we need your help. We want to see photos of where your cat scratches — the good, the bad, and the ugly. We’re not looking for pretty magazine photos. We want to see where they scratch, what they scratch on (different materials like sisal, carpet, cardboard, wood, etc.), how tall or long the scratching surface is, is it a vertical or horizontal surface, and anything else you think is important.

Just snap some shots of where kitty scratches and email it them to me at kate [at] moderncat [dot] net along with any thoughts you have about ideal scratching surfaces. As a thank you, everyone who sends in their photos will be entered into a drawing to win a brand new special secret scratching prize that will be revealed next month.

Please label your photos with your name and consecutive numbers (JoeSmith01.jpg, JoeSmith02.jpg, etc.)

This month on Paw Nation, I’ve rounded-up some of my favorite scratchers, in all shapes, sizes, and prices. Check out the post here.

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

This month we have another great giveaway from one of my favorite companies, DKcat. One lucky reader will take home a sleek, handmade DKcat scratching post. Just like all DKcat products, the scratching post uses natural, durable materials that are eco-friendly, such as reclaimed wood and natural sisal rope. All of DKcat’s designs are clean and modern but also functional for kitties. The winner will get to choose one of four finish combos: chocolate + tan, blonde + tan, blonde + grey, or blonde + stripes.

EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN!

To enter the monthly giveaway, make sure you’re signed-up to receive Moderncat updates via email. If you’re already getting the updates but you’d like an EXTRA chance to win this month, please leave a comment on this post. The drawing will take place on February 28. Complete details on the monthly giveaway here. This giveaway includes shipping to the continental US. Readers outside the continental US may enter if they are willing to pay the extra shipping costs.

I absolutely love it when a cat product satisfies multiple needs and this cool little item from France does just that. The Cubicat has two hideaway compartments plus a top cushion that can all be used for napping while the inner compartments can also be used for storing toys. There are two sisal scratching pads on the outside, one low and one high. And finally, the whole thing is sturdy enough for you to use as extra seating. And on top of that it comes in hip colors and has a nice sleek look. I love European design!

Not sure if this is available in the US, but the Cubicat sells for 59,90 Euros at Wanimo.com and you can get the sisal scratching pad refills for 2,10 Euros.

Via ohmycat.fr

Last month when I showed you a concept for a cat bed from Steve Lukes, several readers left feedback for Steve concerning the food bowl being right next to the sleeping area. Well, Steve went back to the drawing board (well, back to the computer) and revised his ideas based on the feedback. The ultra modern cat bed now has a scratching pad by the sleeping area instead of a food bowl. While he was at it, he also came up with another idea for a two-story, raised bed. I’m sure he’d like to hear what you think, and if you happen to be looking for a product designer, I hear he’s available!

I love this new scratcher/lounger from DKcat! It’s so sleek and modern, plus, like all DKcat products, it uses reclaimed, eco-friendly, and healthy materials. The craftsmanship is exquisite and the tan and grey carpet tile would look great in a modern interior. Very nice!

Available from the DKcat Etsy shop or directly from the DKcat website for $89 US.