Abstract: A furniture item for a house pet includes a base configured to support the furniture item on a horizontal support surface, and an upright portion coupled to the base. The upright portion extends to a height above an upper surface of the base when the base is situated on the horizontal support surface. The upright portion includes a hollow inner portion defining a ballast cavity and an opening providing access to the ballast cavity. The upright portion further includes a cap portion engageable with the hollow inner portion to close the opening, and a removable scratch pad supported on an outside surface of the hollow inner portion. The cap portion has a shield portion that encloses an upper edge of the removable scratch pad when the cap portion is engaged with the hollow inner portion to close the opening.