Cat scratcher beds: why cats sleep where they scratch

Give a cat a plain scratching post and a separate plush bed, and there is a fair chance they will ignore both and sleep in the delivery box. Give them a cat scratcher bed — a cardboard scratcher shaped to lie on — and most cats move in the same day. There are good reasons for that.

Why cats sleep where they scratch

• Scratching marks the spot as theirs. Cats have scent glands in their paws. Every scratch leaves a visual mark and a scent mark, and a place that smells of them is a place where they feel safe enough to sleep.
• Cats scratch when they wake up. The first thing most cats do after a nap is stretch and scratch. A bed that is also a scratcher means the right surface is already under their paws.
• Cardboard is warm. Corrugated cardboard traps air and holds body heat — the same reason cats love boxes.

Scratcher bed, lounge, sofa or house?

The names overlap, but the shapes differ:

• Cat scratcher lounge — a long, low deck the cat lies on top of, flat or gently curved. Examples: our wide, flat Vanguard (59 cm), the curved Bionics (63 cm) and the XL Grunge lounger (84 cm) with a tunnel underneath.
• Cat scratcher bed — deeper, with raised ends to curl up against and to scratch standing up. Example: Loft (70 cm), a scratcher and bed in one.
• Cat scratcher sofa or couch — a bed with a back and arms, shaped like a miniature settee.
• Cat scratcher house — two levels: a deck on top and a hideaway underneath. Good for shy cats and for two cats sharing. Example: Fusion (77 cm).

What to check before you buy

1. Length. At least as long as your cat from nose to base of tail, so they can stretch out fully. See the size guide.
2. Density. A bed is lain on for hours a day. Thin single-layer cardboard sags; dense multi-layer board keeps its shape.
3. Stability and width. It should not slide when your cat jumps on or digs in.
4. Sides. A frame holds the block together and keeps cardboard flakes mostly inside. Ours is a real wood facade in brown, white or black.

Where to put a scratcher bed

Somewhere warm with a view of the room: beside the sofa, under a window, near a radiator. Avoid corridors and corners where the cat cannot see who is coming. If you are replacing a favourite sleeping spot, put the scratcher exactly there for the first week. More tips in how to get your cat using a new scratcher in 24 hours.

How long does a cardboard scratcher bed last?

With one cat, a dense cardboard scratcher typically lasts a year or more. Every CAT JOY scratcher has two scratchable faces, so you can flip it over when one side is worn; vacuum loose flakes once a week. All models come with a 12-month guarantee, free UK delivery and 30-day returns — see all six sizes in the collection.