I always think it’s so insane the way they charge for scratch pads. It makes my brain hurt, because it’s just like you show here - a culmination of cardboard. I am glad you take the precautions you need to make it pet friendly. Speaking of which, I heard if you have an issue with cats scratching up couches putting a scratching post of some kind near the couch keeps the cat from doing so. Not sure, cause I’ve never had one. But I just figured I’d toss it out there if anyone might need that advice.

Oh, this is a solid idea here too! One time, in one place we were at I decided I wanted a “secret garden” and I took all our moving boxes and blocked out the sun on a small space of land and it actually worked. This is golden, because if you use stuff that doesn’t have any glossy exterior or fine printing (er I mean stuff like tv boxes) I am pretty sure you’re just being ecological. Of course I could be wrong, but it seemed right.