Hi everyone! Today it's me, Roary pawing on the computer, and I think this just might be my FIRST product review that I am doing ALL BY MYSELF! Now don't get me wrong, the kitty that came bbefore me, (and who this blog is dedicated to, Cody, did MANY product reviews, this is just the first one for ME!) I'm excited, but I have some pretty big paws to fill... here goes!
Mom was given the opportunity to have me try a Cat Scratcher from a company called Way Basics and she said because I am a HUGE fan of Cat Scratchers, she would let me try it out.
It arrived a few days ago, and when it arrived, being an extremely curious and intelligent kitty, I had to check it out myself.
There were just a few pieces to put together and some clear instructions.
Mom and I love that Way Basics believes in "keeping things easy and simple." That translates to not having a zillion pieces and parts to put together! We also love that they are an "eco company" and a "green company."
FROM THE WAYBASICS WEBSITE: "This is a Cat Scratcher with a twist, or should we say, an incline! This black Cat Scratcher is up on an incline and looks great against any wall in your house. It’s stylish and made from zBoard, an eco-friendly material that is safe for your home and your cat."
Photo Courtesy of the Way Basics Website
Mom and I love how you can either stand the scratcher up or lay it down. Unfortunately, because of the Giant Sheltie that I live with, I can't use the scratcher in the living room (he would think it was lunch!!). For now, I am using it in Mom and Dad's bedroom where MANY of my other toys are. There isn't a ton of free wall space there, and Mom didn't stand it up against the cabinet yet, so there are no photos of me using it standing up. I use mine with the scratcher laying down and I love it just the same! It's super versatile to have a scratcher that can stand up OR lay down!
When mine arrived I couldn't wait for Mom to put it together, it was so easy that even I could have put it together WITHOUT NEEDING THUMBS!!
In the above photo it was almost ready!!!
"Way Basics black Simple Cat Scratcher Incline is a smart and effective way to help your cat lose the urge to scratch the furniture while helping to trim their nails at the same time. This isn’t your average cat scratcher as it is on an incline that cats love and it even can blend into any room and look like a beautiful piece of furniture! This product is made out of zBoard, a sustainable and strong patented material that is eco-friendly and safe for your home. Way Basics uses a 3M industrial adhesive instead of hardware. which means no tools are required."
"Easy to assemble, no tools required, just peel the 3M industrial adhesive strips and put together with easy-align pins
Made with eco-friendly and sustainable zBoard, non-toxic and free of formaldehyde & VOC. Learn benefits here.
Contains 1 scratch pad
Safe for your pet
Organic catnip included
Maximum load 30 lbs (recommended)"
I LOVED the organic catnip that was included. Mom sprinkled it on top. That's mostly for kitties that AREN'T naturally curious like I am! I would have checked it out regardless, but Mom put the catnip on just to be safe. I loved that nip so much that I started licking it! (that's why in some photos you see some wetness on the scratcher, that's from my over zealous licking!)
I was pretty darned intrigued!
As I mentioned above, I tend to lay down when I am scratching, I do that much more than scratching when I am standing, but Mom and I are happy that because this scratcher has an incline enabling it to stand up against a wall or furniture, that we can change it up depending on my mood! HAVING A SCRATCHER THAT IS VERSATILE is PAWTASTIC!!
I just love this scratcher!!
Kitties, I think you need to get one of these scratchers ASAP! They are super affordable and versatile! You will have LOTS AND LOTS of fun scratching!
CONNECT WITH WAY BASICS:
Now if you will excuse me I am beat from all of that scratching!!! I'm gonna take a nap now. Oh and if you were wondering, (because of the FTC rules, whatever that is, Mom just told me I have to mention this), I wasn't given any compensation for this post. I received the scratcher simply because I'm so cute (well, that's what Mom said, but that isn't the truth). The truth is I was not compensated with human money, cat food, treats or removing the Giant Sheltie from our home. I was sent the scratcher in exchange for my honest opinion. That's because I'm an intelligent sort.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Thanks Way Basics!
If you are a regular reader of our blog, you KNOW we are HUGE fans of the Cat Amazing products (in fact they were part of our 10th Blogoversary post and we have featured them NUMEROUS times prior to that!), and today we are thrilled to present a CATABULOUS SALE to you of EPIC PAWPORTIONS!!!!
It's the Cat Amazing STACKS WAREHOUSE BLOWOUT SALE! Just in time for the holidays too!
THE CAT AMAZING STACKS ARE:
"INFINITELY STACKABLE!"
you can combine kits to make all sorts of configurations
SUPER STURDY
made out of industrial strength Ultraboard
EASY TO ASSEMBLE!
Our friends at Cat Amazing are moving to a new warehouse and they don't want to take everything with them! This means GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!!!
They are offering their Cat Amazing Stacks at 52% OFF!
Tomorrow, September 1st, is the beginning of Happy Cat Month. The mission of Happy Cat Month is: "celebrating the month that is
all about ensuring companion cats are happy, healthy, enriched, and valued." (From theCATalyst Council). To help keep YOUR cat happy, today I am pleased and honored to feature what are, in my opinion, the most SUPERB cat trees on the market: Pet Tree Houses.
Back in June I had the complete pleasure of speaking on the telephone with Joe DelRocco, one of the creators and owners of Pet Tree Houses. After speaking with Joe on the telephone for approximately an hour, I learned so much about why these amazing trees were created, and the depth of study that went into their design, The knowledge that Joe and his wife Shelley (co-owner and co-designer of Pet Tree Houses), have about cats makes the Pet Tree Houses stand out as superior in a sea of mediocre cat trees that are saturating the market.
Joe was previously a custom home builder of million dollar homes and he and his wife Shelley, share a passion for animals. Joe and Shelley designed their first Pet Tree House for
their own cats in 2008. The premise was twofold: to create an
aesthetically pleasing feline tree house and a tree that the cats would
actually use and would be a realistic outdoor experience for them making them
feel more at home in their natural environment.
Joe wanted to change the culture of what people think of cat product manufacturers- What does this mean?
That many who produce items for cats:
a) don't understand cats
b) don't understand their owners.
Many cat product manufacturers don't do adequate research when creating their products, they don't design products that will sufficiently address what cats needs are. They design products that are not durable.
They also manufacture products that often aren't "human-friendly". Often this is portrayed by making difficult to put together items and items that are, for a lack of better verbage, SIMPLY BORING TO LOOK AT and are BORING for the pet.
THE PET TREE HOUSE MISSION: Pet Tree Houses – Real Cat Trees
With Leaves
Our mission is simple. Offer the highest-quality handcrafted
real cat trees so that your feline companion feels as if they are living in
their true nature.
Joe explained to me how "cats do nothing by chance", they are "calculating", he went on to say that "cats, REMEMBER, while dogs have a short term memory", and cats thrive in a "behavior based" environment. Cats pick up on organic scents, which is just one of many reasons why Pet Tree Houses are made with REAL TREES.
Joe and Shelley focused on the "instinctive needs" of cats when creating the Pet Tree Houses. The Pet Tree Houses allow cats to have their private hideaway. They can scratch and stretch on REAL TREE BARK that is crafted by HAND.
The leaves are designed to "mimic the wild" from the "rustling" sound they make when the cat is in the tree house. Joe explained that even a cat who was not feral instinctively knows what that sound is.
Also, while Cody is a chewer and I KNEW he would chew the leaves, the broad shape of the leaves deters chewing and the cat CANNOT CHEW THEM UP.
Cody keeps trying but he can't chew this up!
The foliage has been carefully selected by its shape to provide visual and audible stimulation while minimizing the possibility of cats chewing on the leaves for instinctive digestive needs.
Yes!! The trees are REAL!!!
They are harvested from sustainable forests found only in the Southeastern United States then are carefully dried to maximize their strength and durability. There is no need to water or maintain the tree.
Joe and Shelley have spent years perfecting the engineering
of the tree house and continue to strive to exceed their customers’
expectations. Each tree is hand crafted and takes up to 1,000 individual
cuts to build. The real trees are hand selected as is the cedar to
provide the highest quality indoor habitats available today.
The KIT-TY Tree Deluxe has a canopy of leaves over the top platform that the standard KIT-TY Tree does not.
The KIT-TY tree is 4 levels of pure fun! Standing nearly 72" high, adorned with silk foliage; this tree is sure to bring out your cat's true nature!
Base is 21" x 21"
1st Platform is 16" x 21"
2nd Platform is 16" x 16"
3rd Platform is 16" x 16"
APPROXIMATE ASSEMBLY TIME IS ONE HOUR. HERE IS THE PHOTO OF OUR FINISHED TREE!!
Let me tell you not only does Cody love it, but I cannot stop looking at it! It is a room enhancer, unlike most cat trees on the market.
Now back to set up: When my tree arrived, I panicked.The tree that I received was a "do-it-yourself" tree. Uh-oh... I have never been known for my mechanical ability!
When Joe was talking to me on the phone he told me that his purpose in designing the DIY trees was to make it easy for owners to put together. He is fully aware that most trees on the market are difficult to put together.
Joe went on to say that his instructions are designed to be similar to the color-coded instructions of Grrranimals from back in the day! (Each part of my tree was clearly color-coded).
Joe told me REPEATEDLY that I needed a CORDLESS SCREWDRIVER (and maybe pliers, but definitely the cordless screwdriver!!) Stubborn cuss that I am,I kept telling Joe that I could put it together without one.
I COULDN'T. THIS WAS NOT THE FAULT OF JOE OR PET TREE HOUSES! I called Joe at least 3 times and HE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE HELPFUL. He had me text him photos of what I was doing, he explained every step. HAD I HAD THE ITEMS HE SAID I NEEDED I COULD HAVE PUT THIS TOGETHER MYSELF.
IMPORTANT POINT: If you purchase a DIY kit you will NOT be left in a lurch alone and confused (and panicking like me!) There is help available on their toll free number (877-971-TREE (8733) to answer any and all questions! The customer service that I received and the patience shown to me was superb!
I did not have the items that I needed, so I was unable to put my tree together myself. As you will see in the collage below, Cody was moping (because his old tree was gone and he didn't understand the BEST TREE EVER would soon be taking its place.)
I called the office at the apt/condo complex where I live, and our buddy Edward who works maintenance here, (being the Angel and life-saver that he is), agreed to come over, and I paid him to put the tree together:
A zillion thank yous to Edward!!!
Pet Tree Houses also offers
custom and unique
"Branch Work"
Replacement branches
can be purchased if necessary
Their craftsmen are dedicated
to creating the
most attractive, durable,
and unique pet habitats
available ANYWHERE
at ANY PRICE!!
CLEANING IS A BREEZE!!!
The tree house is made out of natural wood, cedar and dragonwood tree. The carpet is attached using Velcro. If you need to remove it to clean it or vacuum it, simply pull the carpet up by its corners and put it back into place after you have cleaned it. The carpet can be hand washed and line dried.
TO MAINTAIN THE LEAVES:
simply wipe the leaves off using a damp cloth when necessary to eliminate dust. We have had our tree since the end of June and it has barely accumulated ANY dust, if at all.
Pet Tree Houses have received many industry awards for their habitats
They received Cat Fancy Magazine's 'Editors Choice Award"6 years in a row! They also hold the Guinness Book of World Records for The World's Tallest Cat Scratching Tree!
What Does Cody Think Of His Pet Tree House?
I would say his expression of pure bliss says it ALL!!!
It didn't take Cody more than a few days to designate his Pet Tree House as his new FAVORITE hangout. I think at first, it was so nice, that he thought he was not permitted to climb on it! I put a few treats on each level and that was it!
Now that Cody and I have a Pet Tree House there is NO GOING BACK for us. How could we? There isn't a tree on the market that we could ever hope to have that has all of the features and benefits that our tree from Pet Tree Houses has. None would ever be as well-made or be made with the craftsmanship, love and study as the trees from Pet Tree Houses are. There simply is no comparison. Nothing else comes close. From customer service, to quality, to being good for my cat, to the aesthetics of this gorgeous tree, there isn't another tree we could ever want or need.
A Pet Tree House is the ONLY pet tree you will ever need. They are an investment, but one that will bring far more years of joy than many of the inferior competitors on the market. These Tree Houses will not only enhance the lives of your cat, but they will make your home look fabulous too!
Cody and I not only give Pet Tree Houses FOUR paws up, our tails are up too!!!
Joe, Shelley and furbabies!!
Photo Courtesy of Twitter
Did I mention what a complete delight Joe and Shelley DelRocco are as people? Every communication I had with them, be it phone or email, was full of warmth. It's no wonder they have a superior product!
DISCOUNT CODE FOR OUR READERS!!
Joe and Shelley are generously offering an exclusive discount code for our readers!!!! To receive a 15% DISCOUNT just enter CODY15 at checkout!
FTC Disclosure: I received this product for review at no
charge. Receiving the free product did not influence my review. Cody and I never hesitate to give you our honest opinions!
Hi every furry!! It's Cody!! Back in June I had a give-away from Imperial Cat in honor of Adopt-A-Cat month and I mentioned in the comments that day to stay tuned, because I was going to be having another Imperial Cat give-away super soon!!
Well, TODAY is the day!!
But...before we get to the give-away, let me tell you a bit about Imperial Cat.
Imperial Cat is a family-owned and operated company that has been manufacturing eco-friendly and all natural cat products that are exceptional quality since 1986!!! (That's waaay before I was born!!)
They are dedicated to creating safe, fun and functional products that enhance the lives of cats! They even have a team of office cats that work hard at testing their products. They have MANY products to choose from! This photo shows some of the products that Imperial Cat offers:
I was so excited when my Scratch 'n Shape arrived! It even came with catnip (the catnip is included to help encourage kitties to play!
The one that Mom chose for me had a super cool Jaguar Print!!
HOW COOL IS THAT??!!
That print brings out my inner Jungle Kitty!!
The sofas come in multiple styles
with various prints!!
Mom loves that the sofas protect our furniture because I can scratch my OWN sofa instead of hers!! It helps keep my claws healthy! They are also great for sleeping, playing and rubbing!! See for yourself!
With a wide selection of Scratch ´n Shapes, you are
sure to find a scratcher that matches your kitty's personality and/or your home
decor! Scratch ´n Shapes come in modern shapes, food items, cars, and
seasonal items. We even offer hanging scratchers for cat's who prefer to
scratch vertically. Our scratchers are made from recycled paper and have labels
that are printed with soy-based ink, after use our scratchers are fully
recycleable. Made here in the USA, Scratch ´n Shapes products provide
a very attractive and eco-friendly solution to destructive scratching.
I couldn't be happier with my Scratch 'n Shape Sofa from Imperial Cat, and now ONE OF YOU WHO RESIDES IN THE USA (our apologies to our International Readers), ARE GOING TO WIN ONE OF YOUR OWN!!!! (An approximate $30.00 value) . Entering is easy!! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below! GOOD LUCK!!!
In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review/give-away. I was sent one Imperial Cat Scratch 'n Shapes sofa in exchange for my honest review.
