Tractor Supply's $12 Christmas Camper Gives Cats Their Own Tiny Holiday Getaway

Dai Poole

Tue, October 27, 2026 at 5:40 AM UTC

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Some cats spend the holidays socializing with everyone who walks through the door. Others would prefer to check into a private retreat until the festivities are over. For the latter, a tiny Christmas camper parked near the tree feels surprisingly appropriate.

Tractor Supply's Paws & Claws Camper Cardboard Cat Scratcher gives cats a festive place to hide, scratch and lounge while doubling as Christmas decor you probably won't mind having in the living room. Designed like a retro red camper decked out with string lights and its own Christmas tree, it's essentially a holiday vacation home for a cat who never plans to leave the house.

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Paws & Claws Camper Cardboard Cat Scratcher, $11.99 at Tractor Supply

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Anyone who's watched a cat ignore an expensive gift for the box it arrived in already gets the appeal. The camper takes that instinct and gives it a little more purpose. Instead of an empty shipping box lingering beside the couch, your cat gets an enclosed space designed specifically for hiding, lounging and scratching.

Inside, a cardboard scratcher gives cats a proper place to dig their claws in. That can be especially useful during busy holiday weeks when changes around the house, visitors or new decorations give your cat extra energy to work out. Putting an enticing scratcher in their own little retreat may also make the furniture less interesting.

The camper measures 18 inches long, 14 inches wide and 19 inches high, and Tractor Supply says it fits both cats and kittens. Cutout windows add another useful detail. A curious cat can tuck in without losing track of what's happening in the room, which is ideal for the feline who wants privacy but still needs to supervise everyone.

And visually, this thing commits to the bit. The red-and-cream camper has illustrated holiday lights along the roof and a Christmas tree strapped on top, making it look like your cat has packed up for a December road trip.

That design also creates an unexpected advantage. Unlike a plain cardboard scratcher that can look out of place among holiday decorations, the camper can blend in. Tuck it near the Christmas tree or beside a cozy chair, and your cat's latest cardboard obsession suddenly looks intentional.

A Holiday Hideaway That Gives Cats Something to Do

A scratcher house can earn its floor space long after the novelty of its cute design wears off. Cats naturally seek enclosed spots where they can retreat, and combining that hideaway with a scratching surface gives them more than one reason to keep coming back.

That makes this particularly handy when holiday activity picks up. Your cat can disappear into the camper when guests arrive, settle in during a quiet afternoon or scratch away while you wrap presents nearby. Because there are openings in the structure, you can still peek in without dismantling their new headquarters.

For cats who appreciate more elaborate cardboard real estate, Aldi's haunted house cat scratching house turns the same basic instinct into spooky seasonal decor. And if your cat would rather stretch out than disappear inside, Kohl's Hello Kitty cat scratching pad offers another playful way to give those claws somewhere to go.

Tractor Supply says the camper is made with 100 percent recyclable, non-toxic materials, though assembly is required. As with any cardboard cat product, keep an eye on its condition if your cat tends to chew rather than just scratch.

Still, spending $11.99 on a holiday decoration your cat is actually encouraged to climb inside feels like a pretty good deal. While everyone else settles in at home for Christmas, your cat can retreat to the camper, watch the festivities through the window and enjoy a holiday getaway without traveling farther than the living room.

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Oct 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Shopping section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.