This is a sturdy, cardboard cube that folds together using a simple tab system.
Each side has a pre-cut hole; some are smaller and offset, while others are larger and centered. The large holes are scored and can be cut even larger still with a craft knife. Our "big boned", portly cat has no trouble fitting through the larger holes, while the smaller holes provide more box surface for standing and resting.
The outside of the cube is a solid color, while the inside is, well, cardboard colored.
The cubes are not laminated or coated in any way. I initially worried that the cats would scratch on them and tear them up because of this, but we've had them for two months and they still look brand new.
It occurs to me that the unlaminated cardboard would make these super easy to decorate with craft paint, markers, crayons, or colored pencils. I could see this being a great rainy day project for a young pet owner, or even a service project for a group of kids to decorate and donate to their local cat shelter. Or, how about having local artists decorate cubes to auction off as an animal shelter fundraiser? I didn't really think of them as a "blank canvas" until I put them together at home.
The cubes clip to one another using metal binder clips (included). This allows them to be arranged and rearranged many different ways. I love how lightweight they are; very easy to move as needed.
Our cats adore having the cubes connected in a long, low "tunnel" down the hallway; they run across the top or through the middle every time they travel up and down the hall. They stash toys in there and love to leap out to surprise one another and unsuspecting people. It has turned a space we weren't using for anything into a cat playground!
When we've stacked the cubes in pyramid-type structures, response has been varied. Our youngest cat climbs all over them, but the senior cat seems to lack the coordination to climb up through the holes and a little unsure about the whole thing. Still, this would be brilliant for kittens and athletic cats.
The only things keeping this from being a 5-star review is the cost. It is, afterall, a cardboard box and a handful of binder clips. They are surprisingly sturdy and are holding up exceptionally well, but could not be cleaned easily in the event of a cat-related mess of some sort. If a cat picks the wrong place to furball (or worse) we'll likely have to let the whole cube go. If the price were a little lower, that would be less of a concern.
Still, compared to the price of those ugly and equally hard-to-clean carpet and playwood cat towers at the pet store, these seem like a good pick. They're made in the USA, by a small company with cats at heart. They're modern and understated so people don't mind having them around, with a clever modular design that makes them great fun for the cats. No regrets on this purchase!
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The Calico loves them!! Simple and well made. Very sturdy, not your average "cardboard". They can be clipped together in different configurations. Designed by someone who understands cats.
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My cat is in love with her catty stacks. I started with 3, ended up putting them in a line because she wasnt wanting to climb up into the 2nd level. Clipped some hanging toys from the holes and she loves it. She hides behind it, plays in it and has been sleeping in it. The cardboard is very heavy duty and sturdy... I will definately look at adding more cubes in the future.
Honest reviews on Catty Stacks Modular Cat Condos, Sky Blue
Our four living-room cats love these Catty Stacks. At first I didn't have much hope for the longevity of the stacks. Our cats like to chew cardboard, wire, etc., etc., and their teeth are like wire-cutters combined with diagonal pliers. Moreover, one kitty is still getting her adult teeth and likes to chew everything.
And I figured a few of their wild romps and leaps would crush the cardboard into oblivion, where it could be chewed up even more.
Well, I underestimated the industrial strength of these boxes. The cats are all over them, sleeping, playing jack-in-the-box, leaping on and off, and doing a little jaw-exercise where they can. But these cat condos are still pristine!
I put some towels in the bottoms of two condos fastened together with the included clips, and then gave them a spritz of catnip spray. The cats loved it, of course, and they spend lots of time there. But no matter how I encourage them, they can't seem to destroy these simple cardboard boxes.
The fact there are lots of holes all around makes them irresistable playthings. Paws shoot out to bat and heads pop out to bite anything or anybody who ventures too close.
So I and our cats all agree the Catty Stacks deserve a five-star review.
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Out of my four cats this gets daily use and is especially use by two of them. My cats are on the smaller side only 8-10 lbs. I bought 12 a while ago and just bought another dozen to really create an environment. They can loosen up a bit, but just a small clip will take care of it, but it's not that bad and I can easily deal with it, pretty minor.
I highly recommend trying at least three or four and see if your cats are into it, then maybe take the plug and commit to more. They're great for the value compared to so many other cardboard cat product. They are also durable, easy to setting up, great customizability (I move them around and reconfigure form time to time)and they are sustainable!
Bottom Line: I think they're great.
