A sturdy base and a nice tall tower of scratch-tastic cardboard, those are the ingredients for an awesome cat scratcher. And that’s exactly what Charley and Billie’s original cat scratcher includes, plus it also happens to be spectacularly beautiful!
This contemporary cat scratcher combines a corrugated cardboard scratching surface with a natural sandstone base and solid oak end caps. The cardboard pieces are held together with compression by tightening the oak nut at the top, which connects to a threaded rod running through the scratcher. This allows you to rotate the cardboard pieces to create your own design, plus you can easily replace the scratching insert when it becomes worn. Replacement inserts are available separately.
The Charley and Billie scratcher stands 27.6″ tall and weighs about 17.5 lbs. Rubber feet prevent slipping and scratching hard floors. The scratcher and replacement inserts are both available from the Charley and Billie Etsy shop. The scratcher sells for $152 US and the refills are $24 US. Handcrafted in the UK. Due to the weight of the base, shipping is a pretty penny at just over $100 to the US, but this is a lovely piece that both you and your cat will enjoy.
A huge MEOW and THANK YOU to Kate Benjamin and Hauspanther for featuring my cat scratcher!
If the cat should jump to the top of that scratcher, will the base be heavy enough to keep the scratcher from tipping and falling over?
If you take a look at the link above this will direct you to some more images on my website of Charley and Billie using the cat scratcher. You will notice Billie (chocolate colour) perched on top and this is a regular thing both she and Charley do when they are playing on and around their own cat scratcher. The dog (Hungarian vizsla) often joins in with the play and knocks the cat scratcher in the process, but I’ve yet to see it topple!
The sandstone bases I use weigh anything between 5 and 8 kg – that’s approximately 11 – 16 lbs.
Furthermore, these cat scratchers have been sold to owners of large breed cats, such as Bengals.
Hope this helps!
Donna
http://charleyandbillie.uk/product/cat-scratcher-recycled-cardboard-oak-and-stone-structure/
Hi Donna
I would like to get in touch with you to buy one of your wonderful cat scratchers ( or 2 or 3! ) but I have been unable to find a working link. Are you still selling them or do you know who might be? I am based in New Zealand so would do everything online and am a genuine buyer and cat lover – only the best for my fur babies! I really hope this reaches you.
These are so gorgeous! And I know cats enjoy them so much.
Thank you!
Yes, it would seem that cats do have an innate need to scratch and so it makes sense to provide them with an object they can use without consequence. But, why should they have all the fun and we owners not enjoy the product too!
I love the idea of this, and how it looks! I also have questions and concerns. The first is: Is this stable enough for my cats to actively use without it tipping over? The base looks awfully small to me. I have upright scratchers with bases much larger than this that a foster kitten can easily tip over, and that’s not even bringing up my 12-pounder. The other is about appearance and durability. I’m wondering how long before I would have to replace the cardboard. My largest cat shreds carpet like it’s paper. Is the cardboard used here heavy duty?
Hi Kimberley
Thanks for your interest! To allay your concerns, firstly, see my answer to ACE above regarding stability. To add to this I will say that the beauty of using stone as a base for a cat scratcher, is that it has a high density meaning it weighs more than, for example, a piece of solid oak of the same dimensions. You could also read the reviews left at my Etsy shop.
Secondly, my own (the first prototype) cat scratcher is used many, many times throughout the day by both Charley and Billie since making in April 2013. I’ve not yet changed the cardboard and, if I’m honest the cardboard will outlast the cats. I don’t like to think about when this will happen, but I hope it helps you understand how solidly compressed the cardboard is! The cardboard used is 7mm corrugated cardboard and there are approximately 94 cardboard inserts which are compressed. Each insert is 146 x 146 mm which means your cat(s) would need to bore through 73 mm to reach the centre – which would be some feat! However, this is not to say that all cat owners will like the look of the cardboard once it becomes used as, obviously, it will lose its crispness. Although, the twisted shape created will still be obvious when the cardboard is worn. A tip is to re-order the cardboard inserts for even wear.
Hope this all helps!
Donna
Thank you Donna, for responding! My eyes aren’t so good and when I looked at the photos, I thought I was seeing a carpet-covered base. I will check out your Etsy shop.
Hi
I just love this gorgeous stone based spiral cat scratcher.
Can you please tell me where I can buy one.
Thank you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Sally Maxton