Hey there, fellow cat parents. Today, I'm sharing my experience with a claw protector for my mischievous trio. I've got three furballs at home: Sherry, Loki, and Effie. Each cat has their own unique personality and quirks. If you've got a laid-back, aristocratic cat who struts around like they own the place, my girls are the complete opposite. The eldest is a bit of a diva, always trying to manipulate me into doing her bidding. She's a bit of a drama queen, always playing the helpless, innocent act. And then there's the youngest - a little ball of energy, always getting into trouble and pushing boundaries. She's a bit of a handful, to say the least.
My older cats used to be happy with their old nail protectors and one wall-mounted one made of carpet. But the little one has no interest in those. She ignores the carpet ones because they're horizontal, and the vertical rope one is a bit of a challenge for her - it's a bit of a leap for her to reach. For some reason, it's not a problem for the older cats, but my little one is not a fan of it.
When she started shredding the walls and going after the trim, I knew I had to do something to stop her. I tried using those silicone nail caps for about six months, but they didn't quite work. So, I took them off and got a new, smaller nail protector. You can read about my first attempt here. That one lasted for about eight months, and after that, I got the one I'm reviewing today.
I ordered the claw protector from Wildberries. It cost me 1160 rubles. The country of origin is Belarus.
I was pleasantly surprised by how nicely it arrived in a plain package.
We've got three columns here.
And three platforms. The package comes with a little pouch of catnip.
All the platforms have pre-drilled holes, so you don't need to drill anything yourself.
Same deal with the columns. The one that screws in has a cap that needs to be removed. It's not needed anymore.
But here, you need to unscrew the bolt - a screwdriver is required.
The soft padding on the platforms is secured with a stapler. It's really nice to the touch, cats like it, and it collects their fur.
Time to get started. I always begin with the bottom and work my way up. That's the screw that needed to be removed from the top - it secures the base.
Next up, I tightened the pillars - there's threading everywhere, and it all screws in smoothly.
Накрутили. Устанавливаем среднюю платформу. I had to wrestle with it a bit. Installing the middle shelf was a challenge, but I managed to get it done.
Just when I thought I was done, my cat decided to lend a helping paw. She sniffed out the catnip and suddenly became very interested in the whole process. I had to gently shoo her away.
Sliding the holes together is a breeze. I tightened the last little column, and it felt solid. And that's it, the top platform is the easiest part to assemble. If you're still unsure, there's an instruction manual. I didn't use it, though, as the assembly order was a bit different.
And that's it, everything is ready and the shelves are in place.
I was immediately impressed with how quickly my cat started playing with it. I'm a fan!
The top platform has a little piece of twine attached as a toy. My cats aren't really into it, but they do glance at it occasionally.
It's built to last, with no wobbles or loose parts. The scratching post itself is a bit heavier than the last one, but my cats still managed to knock it over once. I think the bottom platform could be a bit wider for stability.I'm not a fan of the rope wrapping – it's a bit flimsy, and the jute itself is pretty rough. That's not going to last long.
Even I can stretch the rope with my finger - no effort required.
The cats, however, have other plans.
The nearest column is their favorite, as it's the closest to the door and they get to swat at it on their way from room to room.
Occasionally, I rotate the scratching post to keep them from getting bored.
And here's another shot of the nearest column:
I've noticed the girls are really active. My cat is totally uninterested in the jute, doesn't even touch it, but he's been shredding the soft padding on the lower and middle platforms until they're basically torn apart. However, I'm expecting that, given our experience with jute scratching posts being a bit flimsy.
The scratching post has been in use for 3 months, which isn't enough time to say for sure how it'll hold up. But the damage is already pretty significant. I was prepared for that, though - jute just doesn't last long enough for us. I think it'll make it through the summer, but then it'll need to be replaced. I've already bought a new one, which is just sitting in the closet waiting for its turn.
To be honest, I would've loved to get a scratching post from Catsby Family. If your kitties are getting bored, consider gifting them a play complex or a multi-level scratching post.
This jute stuff is no match for cotton rope, though. The Hvosoteka scratching post isn't perfect, but I didn't expect it to be, given the price. For one cat, it might be worth it, but for three? That's a whole different story. And you can tell right away that the quality of the scratching post is decent. If not for the weak jute wrapping, it would've lasted a lot longer. If you're buying a scratching post in-store, make sure to check the wrapping density.
The Hvosoteka scratching post gets 3 stars from me, but I'd still recommend it - for one cat, at least.
A little more about pet products:
My go-to spray for detangling long-haired pets is the Zoorik spray. I've gotta say, it's been a game-changer for me - I wish I'd known about it sooner! Read more about why I love it so much.The Economny Kot Silikagelievny napkin has been a lifesaver for my cat's litter box. It's a great alternative to the big-name brands - and it's a fraction of the cost! Check it out for yourself.I'm also loving the Bigarden cat dome. It's stylish, cozy, and my cat just adores it. Take a look for yourself.And a quick word about my trusty sidekick: Ragdoll. She's a total sweetheart - always by my side and never leaving my lap. Or so I thought... our little bandit has a mind of her own and loves to cause chaos!