She scratches it. Then she sleeps in it. Most cat beds ask your cat to do one thing: lie down. The problem is that a cat does not choose a spot because it is soft. She chooses it because it feels right under her claws, because it holds her scent, and because it sits where she wants to be. This basket is woven by hand from tightly coiled natural cotton rope. The coils give her claws something to catch, which is why cats work the rim the way they work the arm of a sofa. The base is deep and padded, so once she has claimed the surface, she settles into it. That is the whole idea. A texture she chooses herself, in a shape she wants to sleep in. Why natural rope Synthetic fibre baskets are coated, and that coating carries a smell your cat notices long before you do. It is also slick, so there is nothing for her claws to grip. We use natural cotton rope with no plastic coating and no chemical treatment. It softens with use rather than fraying, and after a week or two it starts to carry her scent, which is what turns a new object into her spot. Two sizes 42cm Regular fits most cats up to around 6kg, the ones who curl up tight to sleep. 48cm Large suits bigger breeds, long haired cats, cats who like to sprawl with a leg hanging over the edge, and households where two cats end up sharing. If your cat is between sizes, take the larger one. Cats rarely complain about extra room. Care Lift out the cushion and machine wash it cold. Spot clean the rope with a damp cloth and let it air dry fully. Vacuum the weave with a brush attachment now and then to lift out fur. Keep it out of direct sun for long periods so the natural fibre keeps its colour. What to expect Every basket is woven by hand, so no two are identical. Small variations in the weave and slight differences in tone are normal and are part of how it is made. Some cats climb in within minutes. Others circle it for a few days first. If yours takes her time, put the basket where she already sleeps rather than where you would like her to, and leave a blanket she has used inside it. It usually does the rest. In the box One handwoven cotton rope basket with a removable padded cushion. Free delivery, dispatched within 72 hours, tracked.