PETCO Eco-Scratcher Scratching Post

My, oh my! It's been a while since we last reviewed a product! The holidays are over and now we have all the time in the world! (Ok, I don't but Rufus does...) We are glad to present our very first product review of 2010 for the PETCO Eco-Scratcher Scratching Post .


You may remember this as Rufus' Christmas present, which we all know he loved! He took to the scratcher without any direction or catnip. It is made of 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles. (The tag it came with tells us it saved four plastic bottles from entering a landfill.) It's better than a cardboard scratcher because it's more durable and much easier to clean up- no cardboard bits all over the floor.

The only thing that could be improved about this product is the dangling feather toy. Rufus ripped it off in hours. I had to re-affix it with a very strong glue. Also, it's a bit lightweight. Rufus pushes this thing all over the room and it gets knocked over quite easily. It doesn't prevent Rufus from digging in with his claws even if it's on its side so it's not a big deal.

We got it on sale for 10 smackers! (What a DEAL!) Rufus loves it to pieces, literally. We are very happy with this scratcher and leave you with these candid photos of Rufus and his lovely scratcher.

Let me warn you, these are the craziest pictures of Rufus I have ever taken...

Cuddling the post violently.

The post is off the ground here...

He is walking and laying at the same time.


There is no caption good enough to supplement this picture.

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!

Happy Holidays!

This could very well be our last entry of the year, so we want to wish everybody a very happy holiday season. Christmas came early for Rufus this year. He's got himself a new scratching post with an attached dangly feather toy.

His 'For me?!' face.

Sniffing, studying, inspecting.

Verdict: He hates it. Haha, just kidding.

Gripping onto it with everything he's got. Good thing he doesn't have to share.

*In true Rufus fashion, it has not even been 24 hours since he received this lovely gift and the feather toy has been ripped clear off the scratching post. Very nice.

See?

Kitty Hoots Big Mama's Scratch n' Play Ramp

The 'Kitty Hoots Big Mama's Scratch n' Play Ramp' is a wonderful scratching diversion for any cat home. It requires just a tiny bit of assembly and includes a bag of 'Zoom Around the Room' organic catnip & springy catnip toy.

This scratcher is very similar to one we rated previously. The premise is the same. It has a replaceable cardboard surface that is positioned on an incline for optimal scratching.

The only difference is the springy toy. There are three pre-cut holes you can stick the toy into. (Strangely, the product photo above doesn't show them.) The toy doesn't stay attached to the scratcher very well. It's a minor annoyance but it's an additional thing that I can step on in the middle of the night or have to fish out from under the furniture.

Rufus likes to address the springy toy and the scratcher separately.

Demonstrating how to use the scratcher. He's such a ham for the camera!

The included catnip is top notch. I accidentally spilled a giant mound onto the scratcher and Rufus was GLUED to the thing.

Note the darkened area near his face. That's ALL catnip!

Big stretch!!

The Scratch n' Play Ramp is biodegradable, takes the heat off the rugs and provides an extra way to get a little stretch for Rufus. We like it!

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!

Cosmic Cardboard Scratcher

Rufus has a tendency to scratch rugs and carpets, so anything that'll take those claws elsewhere is very welcome!

My cat took well to this product immediately. It might have been the catnip. I'm not sure there is anything more entertaining than a cat getting his catnip fix. It is stupidly delightful. :)

He scratches when he's bored, after he goes and following meals. I think having more than one really helps if your cat has a scratching problem.

This product is great because it's made of paper. Green is good! The part that is scratched can be flipped which doubles the life of the product. When it's scratched down to nothing, scratcher replacements can be used. There is less waste since you don't have to throw the whole thing away.

I love that there is a dangly toy inside the scratcher to keep him interested. Rufus actually didn't even notice there was anything in there until many months later. Hiding a treat or two in there will keep any cat interested and coming back for more scratches.

Here's Rufus sniffing out the catnip!

Rufie Rating: Four Paws!