Description

This is a cat house with scratcher built into the roof, rather than a cat house with a post standing next to it. The entire sloped roof is wrapped in tightly woven sisal, so your cat can stretch up and pull down on it exactly the way it would on a sofa arm — which is the whole point, because a cat scratcher placed where the cat already wants to be gets used, and one in the corner does not.

Why put the scratcher on the roof

Most cat houses are just a soft box: the cat sleeps inside, then walks over to the couch to sharpen its claws. Here the sisal surface covers both slopes of the roof, giving a long vertical run for stretching and a wide flat area for horizontal digging. The roof of this wooden cat house also doubles as an elevated lounging spot, which cats use far more than floor space.

A separate sisal mat folds out at the entrance. Keep it folded under the cat house when you want the footprint small, or lay it out flat in front so your cat can do horizontal scratching on the way in — the mat is woven on a rigid board, so it does not slide across the floor.

Inside: a private, curtained hideaway

The front opening of the cat house has fabric curtains that tie back on both sides or drop closed for full 360° cover. Cats that hide under beds or in cupboards tend to settle in immediately; cats that like to watch the room can keep the curtains tied open.

The cat house cushion is double-sided — suede on one face, smooth cloth on the other — so you can flip it between a warmer and a cooler surface as the seasons change. A plush fleece layer lines the interior, and a pom-pom toy hangs from the ridge inside for cats that need something to bat at before settling.

The whole cat house sits on a solid wood frame, and the semi-enclosed shape keeps air moving so the inside does not turn into a stuffy box in summer.

Two shapes, four sizes in inches

There are two silhouettes. The house shape has a peaked A-frame roof; the wide arch shape is broader and lower with a curved roof, which suits cats that sprawl rather than curl.

Measurements are taken by hand, so allow roughly 0.5–1 in of variation. You can buy the house alone, the arch alone, or both together as a two-piece set if you have more than one cat or want to spread the scratching around the room.

The manufacturer rates the interior for cats up to 33 lb (15 kg), which covers most adult domestic cats and two smaller cats resting together.

Materials and build

• Scratching surface: tightly woven sisal on both roof slopes and the fold-out mat
• Frame: solid wood, light natural finish
• Interior: plush fleece lining with a double-sided suede / cloth cushion
• Front: fabric curtains that tie back or close
• Style: neutral beige, designed to read as furniture rather than pet gear

Because the scratcher is part of the structure, there is no separate post to buy, anchor or trip over — the cat house, the scratching surface and the bed are one piece of furniture.

Questions cat owners ask

Will my cat use the roof as a bed?

Many do — the roof is wide enough to lie on and warm from below. It also gives a cat somewhere to sit above floor level without climbing a full cat tree, which suits older cats that still want height.

Does the sisal on the scratching roof shed?

The scratching surface is densely woven rather than wrapped rope, so it holds together far better than rope posts on a cat scratcher. Some loose fibre is normal on any sisal scratcher; vacuuming the roof once a week keeps it tidy.

Does it need assembling?

Yes — the frame is screwed together, and screws plus a screwdriver are in the box. Most people finish in 15 to 30 minutes. Slot the wooden dowels first, keep the beams loose until the dowels seat, then tighten and fit the roof.

Is it big enough for a large cat?

For an average adult cat, yes. Cats over about 15 lb will be comfortable in the large house or the wide arch, which have taller openings than the medium house.

Comparing options? Browse the full cat scratcher range or the wider cat bed collection, or look at our 3-in-1 wooden cat scratcher house with tunnel if you want a hideaway that also has a play tunnel.

Cat House with Scratcher – Wooden Indoor Hideaway with Sisal Roof