He wasn't immediately taken with the mat so we scattered some catnip on it and he warmed to it. The ball on the tether doesn't interest him much inspite of our attempts make it "prey" like.
Instinct Mat | The Scratching Mat Her Biology Actually Recognizes
Instinct Mat | The Scratching Mat Her Biology Actually Recognizes
Flat handwoven rope mat with a yarn ball on a cord.
Cotton and linen rope, coiled and stitched by hand
Lies flat on any floor, shelf or windowsill
Takes claws and kneading without fraying
Yarn ball on a short cord, stitched to the edge
Three colours, one size
BUNDLE & SAVE
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Each mat is woven by hand, so stock moves in small batches.
Free shipping worldwide
30-day guarantee
Ships in 7–15 working days
Secure checkout
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Orders are packed within 24 hours. Delivery normally takes 7–15 working days, depending on your location and customs. Shipping is free on every order.
If she ignores it, tell us within 30 days and we will swap it, replace it or refund it.
Materials & Care
Materials & Care
Cotton and linen rope, coiled flat and stitched in a herringbone pattern. No plastic fibre, no glue smell, no cardboard crumbs to sweep up.
Shake it out or vacuum on low. Dab marks with a damp cloth and dry flat. Do not machine wash.
Where To Put It
Where To Put It
Next to whatever she is already scratching. If it is the sofa arm, put the mat against the sofa arm — not across the room where you would prefer she scratched.
Flat mats also work where a post will not fit: under a windowsill, beside the bed, on a shelf she already sits on.
What You're Actually Buying
Where She Scratches Now
LOVED BY THOUSANDS OF CAT OWNERS
Why She Picks Rope Over Cardboard
Rope gives back. Her claws catch and hold instead of sinking into pulp.
It takes on her scent and keeps it, so the spot stays hers.
No cardboard crumbs to vacuum up twice a week.
The surface roughens with use rather than collapsing.
One mat lasts years, so there is no replacement cycle.
Claws Wear Down As She Scratches
Scratching is how a cat keeps her claws in shape. Hooking them into something with real resistance shears off the worn outer husk and leaves the new tip underneath — the same job a tree trunk does outdoors.
Cardboard is too soft to do much of that. Rope has the grip to catch properly, which is why she keeps going back to it.
Does She Have Anywhere Better Than Your Sofa?
Cats do not scratch the sofa out of spite. They pick the firmest, most scent-soaked upright thing in the room — and in most homes that is the sofa arm.
Put something with more grip right next to it and the sofa stops winning by default. Place the mat where she already scratches, not where you wish she would.
Rope Mat vs Sisal Post vs Cardboard
| Instinct Mat | Sisal post | Cardboard pad | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holds her scent over time | |||
| Lies flat where a post will not fit | |||
| No crumbs to sweep up | |||
| Lasts years, not weeks | |||
| Something to play with built in | |||
| Works on a shelf or windowsill | |||
| Looks like furniture you chose |
FAQs
What is it made of?
What is it made of?
Cotton and linen rope, coiled flat and stitched by hand in a herringbone pattern. No plastic fibre and no glue smell out of the packet.
Will it survive a determined scratcher?
Will it survive a determined scratcher?
That is what the weave is for. The coils take hooking and kneading without shedding in strips, and the surface roughens with use instead of collapsing.
Is it suitable for kittens and older cats?
Is it suitable for kittens and older cats?
Yes. It lies flat, so nothing has to be climbed or leaned on — which suits kittens learning the habit and older cats who would rather not stretch up a post.
My cat ignores every scratcher I buy. Why would this be different?
My cat ignores every scratcher I buy. Why would this be different?
Placement does most of the work. Put it directly against whatever she is scratching now, rather than in the corner you would prefer. Rope also holds her scent, so after a few days it reads as hers.
Where should I put it?
Where should I put it?
Beside her current target, or anywhere she already settles — under a window, next to the bed, on a shelf. Flat mats fit in the places a post cannot.
Does it shed or make a mess?
Does it shed or make a mess?
No. Unlike cardboard, there are no loose crumbs to vacuum up. Shake it out now and then and it stays tidy.
How long does delivery take?
How long does delivery take?
Orders are packed within 24 hours. Delivery normally takes 7–15 working days, depending on your location and customs. Shipping is free on every order.
Our Promise
4.6
195 reviews
They love it and we traim them to use it in stead of our furniture (and it works).
Peach loves it and nails do seem better. Aging cats are not as good at keeping up with care so this is a good solution.
Furter is an indoor cat. He had started displaying anxiety due to stray cats hanging around our house and spraying our front door. He was meowing loudly most nights and keeping us awake, and phantom spraying inside. He was asleep on it within a few hours of unpacking. Over the next 7 days there was a distinct change in behaviour. He stopped meowing loudly and only cries quietly when he is hungry, sleeps better and more importantly has reduced his need to phantom sorry interior walls. Fantastic product. I now need to buy a second one for Frank as the both want to lie on it
My cats all love them. They liked the first one so much I ordered one for each of my cats.
Both my fur babies love this mat & basket. Just need a way to hold it down for intense scratching
Nelly, my 10-year-old Maine Coon has had a large variety of scratch mats and sisal poles to use over the years. But she never did. The carpet at the top of the basement stairs? Sure! The rug in front of the sliders to the deck? Absolutely! But Nelly loved her Instinct Mat as soon as I unpacked it. Not only does she use it for scratching, but she's happy to hunker down on it for a nap or just to keep an eye on all the goings on!
Both our young cat and our new kitten like the mat.
Rascal Catts, Baby Girl and Squeaky LOVE their baskets! We ordered 3 of them❣️😻
Ordered the instinct mats after purchasing the instinct baskets. My girls love them! Here's Miss Cupid just chilling on one. Love your products!
Simon loves sleeping on it. Have not see him scratching it yet.
King Arthur loves his mat. Not using the basket but that is ok I am getting a Maine Coon kitten.
The cats really love them, I purchased two. Sadly, only after a week, the attached ball is coming apart.
Millie is enjoying her Stimuli Mat, especially after eating… it took awhile before she found the Mat was a good place for a kat-nap!
My cat loves his new basket sleeps in it every day. Best thing I’ve purchased for him. We’ll get Matt and maybe another bed for different place. Great product great quality.
Each week since Toby's new scratching mat arrived he is choosing to go to that instead of scratching on the couch. And some times he just likes to lay beside it and rub his face on it or take his afternoon nap! He loves it and we love that he loves it! AND he absolutely loves his bed as well. Your products are every cat & cat Mom's dream!
Both of my cats love the mats. I'm very happy with them. Thank you, Dawn Shurter
The kittens love both however the basket is coming apart in 3 spots 😕. The basket was purchased not to long ago!
Amazing...I put it down and he knew what to do right away. He's claimed it all his. I love that he likes its because he doesn't scratch as much on the furniture. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but then he's a big boy & that's ok for now..he love's it.
Our little cat was very suspicious of this basket for about the first 2 or three weeks. She wouldn’t stay in it even if we put her right in. Now she goes right to it and stays there for hours! So nice for her to feel comfortable in her own place! This review is of the basket; not the scratch mat.
The basket and mat are well made. They aren't the "hit" I thought they would be -- old cats! They do use both items, but my youngest, old cat, is back in my tote bag for a nap, as I write.
My cat Cleo loves her new scratch pad. She's unimpressed with most things I buy for her. But she loves her Stimulicat pad. I have to order the bed for her now. She's demanding it..................
I put it on the floor and he IMMEDIATELY made it his! A hit!
I ordered the mat. It is really nice, my 4 cats have sat on it but no scratching on it. Maybe because they are older 6-10 yrs. Who knows!
Reviews are from verified buyers and shown as written. Individual results vary.