Never in a million years did I think I’d be gushing about cardboard. Featured prominently in my living room no less.
Seems corrugated paper has come a long way since days of moving box and packing material fame. Now you can even own a Frank Gehry corrugated chair for a mere $140.
But when Paul Roberts, of Understated Corrugated offered up his KittyBlock cat lounge/cube/scratchers for my gang to review, I was reluctant.
My cats have always preferred carpet for scratching (preferably the carpet they’re not supposed to scratch of course). And I wasn’t sure exactly where I’d put the cardboard cubes.
The the photos in this post speak for themselves. I’m a cardboard convert, as are my cats. And at $35/each, they’re a heck of a lot cheaper than Frank’s cardboard creations (I’ll bet these could even double as stools!). Read on to find out how your kitty can win a KittyBlock his/her very own!
As expected, Kip was the first to scope out the situation.
Testing out the structural integrity of the blocks, and ensuring access to an unobstructed panoramic view of the apartment his domain.
Looks like it’s all clear to the left….
…and all good on the right (Petie double checks for good measure).
I love that Paul’s friend Len makes the KittyBoxes himself in Ohio. And that Paul has two cats including a tabby named Banjo (I see a Cat Man Monday in his future!).
There were so many cute photos of the cats on the KittyBlock that it’s a good thing Kip jumped in to help with the selects.
Though now that I look at it, he seems to be in every single photo.
When I asked Paul how long each KittyBlock could be expected to last, he said it varies greatly by cat. Some cats are more aggressive cardboard scratchers than others and some owners are messier with their Merlot than others (hey, have you been watching me Paul?!).
I think it’s safe to say you’ve got 6 months a minimum and up to a few years if your kitty is more of a lounger than scratcher. Luckily if one side gets torn up, you can always turn the cube around to reveal a “fresh” surface.
Paul has been kind enough to offer up a KittyBlock to one lucky I HAVE CAT reader (U.S. resident only – sorry!). To enter, follow the instructions below.
- Leave a comment to this blog post telling me if you currently have any cardboard scratchers in your home.
- Comments must be left by Sunday September 9th, 5pm EST.
- Only one entry per household.
- US residents only (sorry!).
GOOD LUCK!
Those look awesome! I want one!!
Umm, those are pretty awesome. We do not currently have cardboard scratchers. We use the carpet, the chairs, the sofas, the curtains…Mom says we need help!
We have two cardboard scratchers. One is thin and flat, you see then in all the stores, and my 2 girls love it they scratch, rip and chew on it lol The other one is about 3 of the thin ones wide and propped up at an angle, they use it sometimes but they don’t bite it. They really attack them though when I sprinkle catnip on them and rub it into the groves
We currently don’t have any cardboard scratchers.We used to have cardboard inserts for our turbo track, and we LOVED it, especially Ashton, who prefers to scratch on flat surfaces instead of upright ones. But they don’t sell them in the store any more, so we are currently coardboardless.
Great photos! Allegra and Ruby LOVE their KittyBlock, it’s getting used all the time.
I once had the cardboard center of a Turbo scratcher but the cat liked to perch on it and wack the trackball around rather than scratch it. So I’m kinda hopeful if I won this for Joey it would never get scratched to bits!
O, I’s gonna enter tha contest fur this neat cube.
Mom ML bought us kitties three of tha big cardboard loungers (http://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-Cat-Scratcher-Lounge-Charcoal/dp/B008LN4ML6/ref=sr_1_2_m) and ended up buying a few fur gifts as well. We love ‘em.
She gived up buying us pretty cat beds and such out of nice froo-froo materials, cause we love cardboard tha very bestest. We’s had these fur almost a year, and wif seven active rowdy Texas cats, they still look almost brand noo.
Love & Purrs,
KC
Our kitties love their cardboard scratchers!!
I have a flat cardboard scratcher and my declawed Mister uses it…I think for sentimental reasons (regrettably he was declawed when we found him). Purrl loves to scratch on real cardboard boxes so I think she would love this..although the artsy/craftsy goddess in me has the urge to grab a glue gun and start embellishing! LOL.
We used to have a flat cardboard scratcher but we “killed” it quite soon with three of us on it! These look great with all the sides!
Purrs
We have a cardboard lounge style scratcher. My cats love it!
http://www.DeborahJulian.etsy.com
My 3 cats – Sassy, Rubydee and Oscar – would love these! We have a couple of cardboard scratching boxes and some cradboard springy things they like to bat. So, I think they would use these often. They look pretty cool, too!
My resident cats and fosters alike love their cardboard scratchers. All of their scratchers are flat except one incline in the kitten room that no one uses. The flat ones? I have to shake them out and vacuum regularly – they get that much use. For vertical scratching/scent marking, they all use the old cat tree in the living room. For serious scratching, everyone prefers a flat cardboard scratcher. Big bonus that cardboard is extremely lightweight and portable.
I have several card board scratchers – they are perfect – fit everywhere with so many designs and sizes and are low cost.
Ahahaha I love how Kip is in EVERY picture – he totally picked them out!! My cats would be obsessed w/ this as well, they love their little cardboard cat beds, but this is another whole level of cardboard awesomeness!
My girls would LOVE this! Mia has her lounger and Emma has her flat scratcher. There are tiny bits of brown paper all over my apartment so I’m sure something will need replacing soon! I never, ever expected them to love a simple piece of cardboard as much as they do.
My kitties are clearly neglected, they don’t have any cardboard scratchers at all.
they clearly need some to make their lives complete, I hope I win!!!!
I have scratchers in every room in my house however none as fancy as this. I have a few incline and a few flat as I have two scratcher cats and one lounger cat. Something like this would be awesome as it suits the needs of both of my furry babies and far more attractive than the ones I get at the pet store!!
My girls LOVE cardboard!! I have two 7 year old girls, Saki & Sassy,who have both come to me in the last year & are both declawed. They tried to scratch at the sisal scratchers I already had for my other 4 girls & Saki caused a wound on her paw pad! Of course I felt terrible & did tons of research & invested in a couple of small cardboard scratchers for my girls. ALL 5 girls loved them!! So now aside from the cat trees (which are mostly carpet – some have sisal) all the scratching posts & pads we have are carpet or cardboard! With 5 cats we go through them pretty fast & can always use more!!
i currently have a scratch lounge. i foster kitties that i rescue from my community and they would LOVE some additional scratchers
i do not believe in declawing, so i try and provide all of my kitties a scratch outlet – whether a horizontal or vertical scratcher. 
My girls have always adored cardboard scratchers, but they never last long, and they’re so messy. My girls would be crazy about the style of these blocks, and I would like how much more hearty they are! Not to mention the fact that neither of them have an official lounger. Thanks for offering this!
We have not tried any cardboard scratchers, but this would be a good time to start…my female kitties are wreaking havoc on my rugs and chair!
Currently no cardboard scratchers. Just got two loveseats from LazyBoy that my recently adopted older cat (Possum) has taken a shine to in regards to the arm scratching!! I think he would LOVE the cardboard cubes and Possum’s mom would love not having to “correct” him as much (just a quick clap of the hands, but it does scare poor Possum).
My cat LOVES her cardboard lounge, scratches it intensely several times a day. She would get some good use out of these cubes!
I’ve had cardboard scratchers before, but don’t have one currently. Our cats seem to love them, so I’d love to have one to give them for their scratching and lounging pleasure!
We have 3 small cardboard scratchers that just lay on the floor, no 3D ones like these! Birdie love love loves cardboard, she has sisal and carpet scratchers but she rarely goes for those. Love the shape of these scartchers, they look super sturdy!
I had a flat cardboard scratcher, but got rid of it when I lost my Chaos as he was the only cat with claws. Harmony was declawed when she found me and now she “scratches” on every box she can find. I guess she was as attached to the cardboard scratcher as he was.
Fantastic photos, Tamar! I would love win one of these for Ragdoll Rescue! We just got one to product test and it is a hit so far!
I currently have a flat cardboard scratcher as well as a lou ge bed scratcher for my little kitty. She loves scratches both of them along with everything else in sight. We would love to add these blocks to our home for more scratching fun
We don’t have any cardboard scratchers but would LOVE to try one of those cutes out!
My cats lurve cardboard scratchers!!! This would be great for them!
Yes, we have lots of cardboard scratchers at home. Really, we can never have enough. As soon as I found out (recently) that the kitties love to scratch cardboard, I have been looking to buy the coolest ones. I mean they LOVE to scratch cardboard. It is so neat to watch them really get into it. And then later lounge on the scratcher. The better cardboard scratchers are very tough and durable and in cool shapes.
Ooooh, cardboard! We love cardboard. What a neat giveaway.
I’m sorry, but $44.90 (the cost incl. postage to Seattle) for a single cube of cardboard is totally utterly madness. Egads! I’m off to take a Tylenol…
No cardboard scratchers at our house as Enzo prefers horizontal carpeted scratchers, but we would be interested in trying one of these. Looks like fun.
We do indeed! Several different types and styles, actually. I refresh them with organic ‘nip on at least a weekly basis. They get a lot of traffic, although at least one of the family prefers the carpet, too
Your cats are so adorable! Be very glad we live nowhere near you. I’d have to come and visit wearing my coat with the BIG pockets if we did. 
What a wonderful product! If Kip and Petie like it, it must be the best ever! Our old cardboard scratcher looked good in the store but soon fell apart under the watch of over-zealous ferals and a lone raccoon. Lesson learned: Keep indoors. Doh!
We have about 4 cardboard scratchers at any given time! With lots of fosters coming through our home, we go through scratchers quickly!
Me really, really, really wants one of these!!!!
i used to have a cardboard scratcher. it seems to have disappeared, lol. but tia and tamara will tear/chew up just about anything made out of cardboard
I bought one of the very inexpensive cardboard scratchers and my 4 cats loved it. They destroyed it in a week. I ordered another one (As Seen On TV!) and only one cat likes it. Well – he sits on it often but does not scratch it. The rubber feet came off and left sticky goo on the floor. I need something new!!!
I can’t begin to explain how awesome those would be for foster kittens who teethe.. I’d take up a page and a half!
Monty and Orlando love cardboard scratchers. They ignored the carpet variety and shredded a chair before we discovered cardboard.
We don’t have any cardboard scratchers in our home. We would love to have some.
Hi, I do not have a kitty block and would love to try one for my kitties. Thanks!
Yes, I do have a flat cardboard that I put inside a box since my cat is the destroyer of this region…
I always find flakes of cardboard around the house and the flat doesn’t last long. It’s too thin and goes quick. I find the idea of the KittyBlock interesting. It’s big, thick, has many sides so it’s easy to turn it around in case one is getting overused…. Also, it looks like a place to hide, to climb. I believe my cat would really enjoy this one. 
The kitties currently have a few different cardboard scratchers. They have different shapes and styles. They each have their preference. They recently got one that they can lounge on – it is a huge hit and a spot that is rarely empty. I think KittyBlocks would mostly like be a hit in this house.
I have a “Bergan Turbo Track” interactive toy which comes with a round cardboard scratcher in the middle.
Both of my furkids love their cardboard scratching pad. They also love to lay on it too. Would love one of these blocks they would go nuts over this, since one kitty likes to go high and the other one likes to stay on the floor.
I have a flat cardboard scratcher. My cats use it but prefer something up off the floor to scratch so they tend to lay on the flat one instead of scratch it. I love these cubes. They would be perfect in front of a window.
We have a big flat cardboard scratcher here, and the kitties love it! Every now and then I sprinkle a little catnip on it and they go crazy! I think Wren and Sparrow would love this!
My cat, Romo has a Kitty Block and would love to add another. He also has the Petfusion cat scratcher lounge and loves it as well. Thank you for this opportunity.
I have two cardboard scratcher. One is a wave shape. The other is on an angle with a ball hanging below for Dulce to play with.
I don’t have a cardboard scratcher for my cat.. She just uses her tree, but it’s wearing down and I think she’d really enjoy this cube!
When I lived with my parents we had a few of the flat cardboard scratchers — of course, the cats slept on them rather than using them for their intended purpose. Now I’m in my own place with two feline femmes: a 1 year old and a 4 week old (I know, major “squee” — she’s too cute), so I’m thinking about trying them out with them. *hint, hint*
Yes, one cardboard scratcher in my home. Only one kitty(out of three) uses it.
Cardboard Scratchers…not now, but I made one myself for multiple cats.It lasted a long time but I worry about germs. Now I have removable sisal and carpet over PVC that can be taken off to clean. 6Ft large square PVC fence post covered in carpet and attached to bookcase side.
FIRST OFF, thank you for posting the cool finds for cats. It amazes me of all the funky things that are avail. for my kitties. HOWEVER it is breaking my bank account.
…SO I thought I would try for a giveaway.. NO our 4 furbabies do not have any cardboard scratch posts, (they do have the Loyal Luxe Tee Pee but its not a scratcher and the Refined Feline Pet bed that they use a scratcher sometimes) we use the boring carpet scratch posts. But I would love for them to try these instead of my leather couch. ( the couch came before the babies).
Yes, I have one cardboard scratcher in my home, but unfortunately, it’s the flat cheap version you find in Trader Joe’s for $6. We’d love something with a little more class.
Our 2 calico kitties don’t have any cardboard scratchers, but Angel & Kensey would love to try out the Kitty Block:-) I’m a cat servant, who has never won anything for her Masters:-( Thanks for making a Kitty Block available to be won!
Those are really cool. I wonder if my cat will fit in them?
Tarbaby – my enormous cat
oh dear
We don’t have any cardboard yet, but we’re willing to give it a shot!
My cat has cardboard scratchers and he LOVES them!!
I have two cardboard cat scratchers for my two cats, without them my furniture would be destroyed. They are looking a little worse for wear these days and are in need of being replaced. My cats and I would LOVE one of these!
We don’t have any cardboard scratchers, so we’d love to win one.
My kitties love the cardboard insert on one of our cat scratchers. I agree that they prefer carpet, but it really could just be a question of opportunity. I have MUCH more carpet than cardboard scratchers. But if we won one of these cool KittyBlock cubes that would increase my carpet’s odds. LOL!
We have so many cardboard scratchers in our house because we love to scratch. But we don’t have one of these cardboard cubes and we would love to win one!!
We have a Turbo Toy with cardboard center but nothing like this!
We don’t have any cardboard scratchers, so my kitties would love this! What a fab product, thanks for the chance. <3
I have 3 cardboard scratchers. One in the bedroom, living room & office so all 3 of my kitties can roam and scratch away to their heart’s content.
Mowzers, Kip! Great cat modeling there, dude! That must be some pawesome cat cube for you to go all over it like that – and Petie too!
I have one of those small sloping scratchers and a PetFusion lounger – all my cats and foster kitties chose the cardboard over the carpet scratcher. I have the perfect place where I could stack these and make a cardboard cat scratching tower – kitty heaven.
Our flat scratcher is in a million pieces, so we use mommy’s storage boxes (& any other cardboard we find) & a chair she got just for us! Mommy gets the flat scratchers @Big Lots because they only charge $5 & they don’t last long when the 12 of us get finished!
Unfortunately, no cardboard scratchers for Miss Zoe Luna. She seems to like the tall sisal posts. Just a caution, if you get a cat tree with a sisal wrapped post it WILL stink. This can be neutralized with a vinegar spritz(the vinegar smell goes away as it dries) but you have to do it several times.
Both I and Miss Zoe would love a KittyBlock and I’d even spring for a second one, just for fun.
Mea absolutely LOVES cardboard boxes and I find that sprinkling a few leaves of fresh catnip does quite a lot to interest her in new things!
My girls would love this!
These are so cute & functional. I can see both Madison & Simba enjoying these.
Frank would love to shred this into its component molecules.
I have cardboard scratchers and boxes everywhere! My girls would love it! We need new kitty decor!
I don’t have any cardboard scratchers, but I have a lot of destroyed furniture!
Thought I left one yesterday. I want a block. My kitties would love it. They might even fight over it…jk
Cody has a cardboard scratcher that he LOVES.
i do not have a cardboard scratcher in my home and i really need one. i have a 14 month old male black cat named jasper that is teething and scratching and tearing up all my furniture. this would be a great product for me to have so that he has something to sleep in, rub up on, and of course scratch on instead of my furniture. i would love to be able to buy something for him like this but unfortunately i don’t have a job and no money. so it would be great if i could win one. if not that i would be happy to have it go to any kitty to make them happy.
Both of my kitties love cardboard …they have two triangles now and would be so stoked to have those cubes!!!
I do have a Turbo scratcher, but it doesn’t get much use. I have one cat who absolutely loves vertical carpet (he has destroyed his cat tower and it needs to be recarpeted) and a Purrfect post (woven sisal) which most of the others seem to like. I’d love to win and see if my kitties become cardboard converts like yours!
Saffron says his flat scratcher is worn, and he loves how this one looks! He also says that would make not scratching up my chair easier. Lol
I don’t have any cardboard scratchers for my Sylvester, poor guy. He is declawed but just “scratches” the walls. It’s cute.
So PAWsome, Winston “owns” several in the house and won’t let anyone else play with them.
Sadly im in Australia but these are awesome I should get some for my foster kitties who are scratching my couch
Love the kitty block! I have a Pet Fusion cardboard scratcher/lounger which I love. It’s my new favorite hangout.
: ) Katie
Oh my gosh! These are a great idea. My cat Mister likes to use the wood porch, Lol and Nena has a cardboard rectangle scratch pad with one end torn up. She would probably dig this cube!
One of my kitties enjoys her cardboard scratcher, though I’m sure she would LOVE a KittyBlock so much more!
Want one. Want one! We have two very well-used cardboard scratchers. The kitties love ‘em for lounging and scratching.
My kitty Clipsey is a cardboard addict! Im pretty sure she might be a distant cousin of maru. We currently have a “scratch lounge” that she loves and I usually let her keep any boxes we get for 1 week, so cute
No cardboard scratcher as yet for my calico kittie!:(
RIght now I have several boxes from stuff I ordered from amazon laying around my living room..maybe I can finally throw them away if I replace them with even better cardboard!!
Hmmmm….I might have to get some of these for my crew…looks interesting.
Wow, this would be purrfect for me! I have an (ugly) cardboard box left over from Christmas that I just love and my human doesn’t have the heart to toss out. These are stylish and functional – and perfect for us city kitties in small apartments!
I use those cardboard flat scratchers that come with a packet of catnip and they are great but MESSY!! The caret covered ones shed pile everywhere. I love this design and the fact they are not flat on the ground means my fuzzies will probably enjoy them more.
I thought I added a comment to win the block… must have been a dream.
My cats actually prefer cardboard over anything else. Unfortunately, since they go through them so fast, I only buy the cheap ones (less than $10). I’ve been eyeing these cubes for awhile now but the price tag scares me a little bit – I would LOVE to try one though. If it lasts as long as I think it will, having 4 sides and all, it would be worth investing in more.
Hi
‘My 2 tabbby girls Daisy &sweet Chrissy would love these, they have some rug scratchers but would really like tthese cubes to hide in and scratch. Hope we win!!!
sue
ah my kitty lovessssss things like this <3 its purfect
Avery loves her cardboard scratchers. The one on the floor is her “safe space” (loud noise? yarn overload? run to the cardboard!) I’ve also fixed one to an arm of my couch to keep her from scratching the fabric — She much prefers the cardboard, and I no longer need to drape the couch in protective blankets! (see photo) I told her about the cube. She’s highly intrigued. Would like to have one, purrlease…
Our three cats love their Scratch Loungers.
I love cardboard scratchers! I have several including part of the very first one I had as a kitten and I love sleeping on it. Cardboard is one of my very favorite vegetables and I love chwing on it too. I would be so excited to win one!
These look terrific! Our kitties LOVE their cardboard scratchers, they’d really get a kick out of these!
My 4 kitties are all big cardboard scratchers! My female cat, Smokey Jo, lays on top of the scratchers that just lay on the floor. She intimidates Buckshot, Possum, and Sir Charles the 5th ands hogs it for herself. The box design is perfect so all the kitties can scratch!
sadly i dont have any scratchers…except an old kitty condo but my one cat thats not declawed never uses it…he likes my old couch instead…ive been wanting to get him a scratching post or something for a while i just haven’t had the money for it…
I don’t currently have any cardboard scratchers for my Kallie but she does like them!
yes but my kitty is more inclined to sleep on cardboard than stratch it. she prefers my chair and couch to stratch. she uses cardboard stratcher for a head rest. she would love sleeping & chilling in a cube.
I am very old school and made our extra large scratching post myself with a board and sisal. My Ted was a very big boy and the posts in stores were not tall enough for him to get a good stretch. However, recently I rescued a stray and bought him a round turbo track with a cardboard scratcher in the center. Eli was not the least bit interested in the ball and track, but went wild over the cardboard scratcher. I now have a new respect for cardboard and would love to win a KittyBlock for my boys.
I do have one refillable cardboard scratcher, my crew enjoys it but it hasn’t quite made them give up that corner of the couch yet!!!!! Perhaps a couple of these cubes would do the trick!!!
Hide and Seek LOVE cardboard scratchers! We have them all over the house, and they go through them in a week. I’d love for my purrballs to have these to scratch & lounge on
Cardboard scratchers are my cats’ favorite. Holly never really seemed to like scratching the scratching posts I would get for her. I actually bought the first cardboard scratcher for Figaro when I adopted him and they were separated as they were going through the introduction phase. Figaro had no interest in the cardboard scratcher, but Holly loved it! And once Figaro figured out what it was for, he liked it too.
And my cats definitely need more stuff.
We have a lounger/scratcher that a couple of the boycats like a lot. I need to get something similar so the kittygirls have a chance too.
Yes, we do have several cardboard scratches, and our kitties loooooooove them! Gaijin lounges all day on hers, and the kitties visit their scratchers several times during the day (and night).
we currently have 2 cardboard scratchers and a tree with sisal around the posts. usually right after Christmas we can have up to 4 or 5 cardboard scratchers. this is when i normally buy new ones to replace the well loved ones.
Can’t live without a cardboard scratcher! We have a flat version and a ramp but no cubes! Lol! I’m thinking we won’t be able to get along with just one! These are great!
We have a scratching square with a dangle toy attached at top. Kitty Kat will only play if it has catnip rubbed on it. I think Kitty Kat would like one or two..maybe three of your blocks for her next photo shoot. Do you have any to spare?
I think I am probably too late; however, I currently do not have any cardboard scratchers as I have been without a cat since July 2012, when my dear, sweet Lydia passed away. It took awhile to mourn her but, now we, my husband and myself, are ready for a new feline friend or two to adopt us. My daughter uses cardboard scratchers and highly recommends them so, we will be looking to add a few to our cat furniture.