agent o. recommends - catnip scratchy box

Big Mama's Scratchy Box (approx. $10)

Available at Centinela Pet Supply

Every kitty loves themselves a good scratcher, whether it be a post, a cardboard box, or the brand new couch. While Agent O. was hooked on the couch for some time, we eventually taught him how to use a real scratching toy.

Even though we already had a nice scratching post for the kitties, baby Agent O. had no idea what to do with it - he preferred to stand on top of it and perform circus acts. We picked him up this cardboard scratcher box by Kitty Hoots, and he went nuts. The bright colors! The tassels! The CATNIP! The best part of this cheap toy is that it comes with a large bag of catnip, which is supposed to be sprinkled inside the box to entice kitty to use it.

Of course, he never actually scratched on it more than four or five times. Instead, Agent Oreo preferred to run circles around it, chewing and attacking each of the four tassels. He also likes to flip it upside down and knock all the catnip out of it, so he can roll around in it.

Agent O's rating:

+ comes with lots of catnip

+ cheap buy

+ tassels are super fun

- easily destroyed by big dogs (or hungry ones)

- catnip is messy if the box is overturned

- cat won't use it properly

- collects more dust than cat claws

The verdict: save your money and buy a bag of catnip to sprinkle on the cat. Then pick up some yarn and make them some tassels. Honestly, this scratching box is pretty useless - if Agent O. wasn't so freaking attached to those tassels, we'd have thrown it out long ago.