PetFusion Scratcher Lounge Walnut Brown
We purchased the PetFusion Cat Scratcher Lounge about two weeks ago in anticipation of bringing home two newly adopted cats from a local animal shelter. The cats are females about four and six year old, had been found outside together, and were living in a cage at the shelter for several months. Our living room has sliding doors that overlook a forested area, and we put the scratcher lounge right there next to the window so that the cats will be able to lay in the light, see birds and insects, and so on. Immediately both cats took to it, each laying on it for long hours, scratching it, and stretching on it. One cat, in particular, tends to stay on it a lot, and we think she has claimed it as her own. Because they both love it, though, we will be ordering a second one soon.
The design is very long and low to the ground, and with the dark edges and the curvy shape, it has an artful look that is pretty nice in our living room even when it's not in use by a cat. Of course, it still does look like a functional piece of pet furniture, as it is getting good use by the cats' claws, and is starting to show a little bit of shredding, especially near the top of each curve. That are is where the cat's tend to scratch the most. We anticipate that it will last at least several months and then need to be flipped, when it will last even a few more months. Since this is our first one, we can't say for sure, though, how long it will last.
So the cats definitely lay on it a lot, and they scratch it a lot. They also poke their heads through the holes sometimes, but at 11 and 13 pounds they don't fully crawl through the holes--although I did see the younger, smaller cat do so once. We've even seen both cats laying on it together, end-to-end, and grooming each other.
Finally, I'd like to mention the size that has been discussed by several other reviewers. I would like to comment about some reviews that say that the item is not wide enough. I agree that the item is not extremely wide, and when in use, the cat's legs or tail tend to dangle off the lounge. But I do not think this is a problem for the cats, and that they seem to even prefer this. We've also noticed our cats hanging over a ledge by our stairway in this way, and I think many cats in the wild would lay this way over a tree branch, for example. Our cats have multiple other options of where to lay including on a round plush cat bed, a covered bed, a coffee table, chair cushions, the couch, and the carpet; but they seem to prefer this thing over the rest. The only time it does seem a little narrow is when we pet a cat while it is on the lounge; if the cat gets excited and starts to squirm around too quickly, it has to grab the side to brace itself so as not to slip off. But this is rare, and not a problem since our cats have claws--it might be a problem, though, if a cat had no claws.
The item arrived in a timely manner, was packaged well, the cats absolutely love it, and it looks nice in our living room. So it's definitely a five star for us!
As I sit here typing this 2 of my cats are playing on the lounger. I have purchased other lounger/Scratchers before and have been disappointed in their quality and durability. When I first took it out of the packaging I could tell it was well made. I have 4 cats that are lazy and love to scratch everything in sight. From the moment I put it down they were on it playing, sleeping and scratching. My furniture usually takes most of the punishment but since I received it I am happy to say the lounger has. I have already recommended it to my friends with cats.
BalasHapusWe purchased the PetFusion Cat Scratcher Lounge about two weeks ago in anticipation of bringing home two newly adopted cats from a local animal shelter. The cats are females about four and six year old, had been found outside together, and were living in a cage at the shelter for several months. Our living room has sliding doors that overlook a forested area, and we put the scratcher lounge right there next to the window so that the cats will be able to lay in the light, see birds and insects, and so on. Immediately both cats took to it, each laying on it for long hours, scratching it, and stretching on it. One cat, in particular, tends to stay on it a lot, and we think she has claimed it as her own. Because they both love it, though, we will be ordering a second one soon.
BalasHapusThe design is very long and low to the ground, and with the dark edges and the curvy shape, it has an artful look that is pretty nice in our living room even when it's not in use by a cat. Of course, it still does look like a functional piece of pet furniture, as it is getting good use by the cats' claws, and is starting to show a little bit of shredding, especially near the top of each curve. That are is where the cat's tend to scratch the most. We anticipate that it will last at least several months and then need to be flipped, when it will last even a few more months. Since this is our first one, we can't say for sure, though, how long it will last.
So the cats definitely lay on it a lot, and they scratch it a lot. They also poke their heads through the holes sometimes, but at 11 and 13 pounds they don't fully crawl through the holes--although I did see the younger, smaller cat do so once. We've even seen both cats laying on it together, end-to-end, and grooming each other.
Finally, I'd like to mention the size that has been discussed by several other reviewers. I would like to comment about some reviews that say that the item is not wide enough. I agree that the item is not extremely wide, and when in use, the cat's legs or tail tend to dangle off the lounge. But I do not think this is a problem for the cats, and that they seem to even prefer this. We've also noticed our cats hanging over a ledge by our stairway in this way, and I think many cats in the wild would lay this way over a tree branch, for example. Our cats have multiple other options of where to lay including on a round plush cat bed, a covered bed, a coffee table, chair cushions, the couch, and the carpet; but they seem to prefer this thing over the rest. The only time it does seem a little narrow is when we pet a cat while it is on the lounge; if the cat gets excited and starts to squirm around too quickly, it has to grab the side to brace itself so as not to slip off. But this is rare, and not a problem since our cats have claws--it might be a problem, though, if a cat had no claws.
The item arrived in a timely manner, was packaged well, the cats absolutely love it, and it looks nice in our living room. So it's definitely a five star for us!
BalasHapusWe share our household with 6 cats and as all cats like to do ... they love to scratch. We go through plenty of those corrugated cardboard scratchers like the Cosmic Alpine Scratcher which has a much looser cardboard grain than this PetFusion lounge. I was a little leery at first because of the price of this scratcher. I wondered just how good could a cardboard scratcher actually be for $45 that would differentiate it so much from the $10-$15 options that I have been going for over the past 8 years or so. They love the cardboard, but our multiple cats go through the looser cardboard options so quickly and sometimes they do not get the resistance they need from the looser cardboard and will resort to using the couch to scratch and get the "manicure" they need (really just shedding the nail sheath). This is a necessity for our feline friends.
BalasHapusWhen the PetFusion arrived, I was first struck by it's SIZE. I've posted a picture with one of my biggest cats who weighs about 20 lbs and is just a big boy, with large bones and length. Scooter is a feral cat and he has claws and massive strength. He is one of 6 cats who loves the lounger for both scratching and lounging. The quality of the cardboard used in the almost "furniture-grade" scratcher provides a great amount of resistance for that nail sheath shedding so that the kitty's don't feel the same need to mark and groom via scratching on a stronger piece of material. Outdoors, cats usually have trees to do this for them. To lure my two biggest couch scratchers (new couch, new habits), I used SmartyKat CatnipMist to make the scratcher immediately appealing. The scratcher does come with a baggie of catnip twigs (but none of my cats were remotely interested in this version of catnip and my cats are usually not picky ... but not a one liked it). Between the catnip mist and a little coaxing, I have redirected scratching to the new lounger where some of the cats are creating territories. The lounger is big enough to accommodate two of our cats and some of them like playing in the openings.
We all liked the lounger so much within 2 days I ordered another one for the top floor of the house. The cats took to that one too.
Our house is decorated in a more contemporary decor and this scratcher sits nicely next to our Noguchi Table and doesn't miss a beat. The item is reversible and I expect to get a good lifespan out of it. At very least 4 times what I would have with the cheaper cardboard scratchers. At that point, they have more than paid for themselves.
Easy on the eyes, a furniture-saver and the cats love it. We are all happy campers.
Update: 11 September 2012: I have found a way to extend the use of these scratchers (since I bought two of them so far). I find that if I cut them in half lengthwise with a hacksaw and use the inside surfaces it creates two scratchers and two great, fresh surfaces for our 6 kitties. They still lounge on the half-shape and it's a great way to extend the life. That said, I just ordered a new one today and am going to be cutting the second one in half and deploying it downstairs (I just had to throw away the two halves today because they had been scratched up).
These are not cheap scratchers but they can sure take a beating. They can also have their life extended by sawing them in half and exposing the undersides. It's like having two brand new scratchers! Moms and kitties are happy :)
This has turned out to be a great purchase for us. My wife has three cats and is constantly sheltering others. Needless to say the railings and couches in my house have seen better days. This has been a really nice piece to add to our house. We put it up in a bay window and the cats seem to be attracted to it....we didn't even have to add the included catnip. Its well constructed and the cats seem to love lounging in the sun. The best part is that they also use the cardboard as a scratcher which makes me very happy :)
BalasHapusWe have had similar products over the years, but we always paid significantly more at the local pet shop and they never seem to stand up. I expect to get a much longer life out of this one based on the initial results at a fraction of the cost. Will be buying a few more so the cats can stop fighting over it.
I have purchased many cardboard based cat scratching stands over the years. This is BY FAR the best. All the other ones pretty much had one scratching surface the cats used, and when that wore out the thing was useless. This one gives them 4 scratch surfaces. Two on the top (at the ends), and when they wear them out you can turn it over and they have 2 more surfaces. Plus they seem to like to lay in the "valley" more than the other ones I have had. Shipping was amazingly fast. Even though I went with the "free shipping" I received the item in a very few days. I'm probablly going to order another one. If you're even looking at this item and reading this review, don't waste your time looking at other products like this. Just buy it.
BalasHapusI purchased this for a kitty that was dropped off and we rescued. She is a lovely kitty, about 1 year old. I wanted to get her something to sharpen her nails on and I found this scratcher lounge. The review that I read said that the purchaser was leery but bought it and the cat went crazy and lays on it all the time. So, what the heck, I bought one for our kitty and she thinks it is just great. She sits on it, lays on it, plays on it. It is her favorite thing in the house and she scratches it and not the furniture. What more could you want!!!!
BalasHapusThis thing is just great. It comes with a little bag of catnip and that is also quite entertaining. If she ever wears this one out she absolutely will get a new one. Every cat should have one - really - no joke. It is great!!!!!
"PURR-FECT" for your fur-babies. I bought a larger version of this 2-3 years ago, which no longer seems to be available; however, this Cat Scratcher Lounge is a 5-star winner no matter where it is placed in the home. My larger lounger is placed in my L.R. on the far end of the fire-place hearth, over-looking the ocean,and the birds and the trees, etc. This smaller model is in my office, and at any given time there is always a fur-baby on it, scratching, meditating or napping. With six(6) felines in the house I usually buy in multiples, and today I ordered three (3) more of these Pet Fusion Cat Scratcher Lounges....believe me when I tell you, it will help save your treasured furniture; although for me I'm afraid I'm a day late, and a dollar short -:((( Every time I swivel my desk chair around to look at the lounger in my office, I'm never disappointed....I always see one of my cats sitting or lying down on it. I have many small scratchers scattered around the house, but this particular one is head and shoulders above all the others. It doesn't have a ping-pong ball, or a fuzzy toy attached to it, so I put a toy next to it...no biggy. If you enjoy sitting on your Lazy-Boy to relax, just think how much your felines will also enjoy an ergonomically designed lounger (which looks like a piece of sculpture)to rest on. And, NO, I am not related to the owner or designer of this item...I'm just another crazy cat lady who loves to pamper my little critters. In fact, the box that it comes in is still in my hallway, since it is so big and filled with lots of crinkly paper, that I didn't have the heart to toss it yet, since they also love jumping in and out of the box, sleeping in it, and just having a jolly good time. CATS RULE!!! Wish humans were more like these gentle, little felines...the world would be a much better and happier place in which to live. Basically, if they could it should be our pets who write these reviews, but since we have to do it for them, trust me, this is a great investment for your beloved felines. By now I've become a true expert on what works and doesn't work, as far as toys and gizmos for felines....I am now much more selective in what I buy for them. In addition, I pay a lot of attention to the reviews written on each item I am tempted to buy, and I always take that into consideration before I order anything. You should also. That is why I wrote this review ..... it a winner!!! We all love this item.
BalasHapusBuy it...you and your felines will love it as well.
P.S. I forgot to mention that the corrugated material, which makes up this scratcher is a very high quality, and it does not shred or disintegrate quickly. If you see pieces pulling away from the lounger, just scrape, cut or comb them off......it will not damage or hurt the integrity of the scratcher. By nature, cats need to scratch...better this scratcher than your expensive couches. Periodically, I sprinkle cat nip on top of the lounger, and it automatically attracts my critters to it. You can also sprinkle additional cat nip inside the bottom loops of this item....it acts as a magnet, and gets the critters going...Let the games begin....and if one is good...buy 2..it's better!!!
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