When choosing cat furniture, you can greatly enhance your cat’s lifestyle. Cats need to be active and have an outlet with their energy, especially if they are an indoor cat. Choosing cat furniture can help alleviate the boredom of a kitten as well as increase activity in an older or overweight cat. Cat furniture can include cat trees, cat gyms, cat condos, and cat beds.
Cats have a need to scratch and using the front claws for scratching is a normal cat behavior. Scratching allows to keep the claws in top shape and also to mark territory. Unwanted cat scratching indoors can be avoided if you take time choosing cat furniture and train your cat to use a sturdy scratching post instead of your couch. Scratching posts should be placed in a few places around the house. Choosing cat furniture for scratching should be tall enough for a cat to fully stretch out, at least 28 inches. Cats like to scratch material that is rough such as with rope-wrapped posts, natural logs, corrugated cardboard to shred and carpet.
In addition, when choosing cat furniture, pick cat trees, towers and condos that have multiple, high perches. They will give every cat enough places for playing, climbing, lounging and sleeping. The trees, towers and condos must be sturdier enough not to tip over when being jumped onto or off of by a cat. If you have multiple cats, choosing cat furniture that is very stable is a must if more than one cat is using the piece of furniture at the same time (hide and seek or chasing games). Ones that tip over will scare the cat and deter the cat from using it.
Many cat trees, towers and condos have places where toys can be attached to enhance play. Cat toys are dangled or attached above the cat to encourage play. Cats love toys that swing and are stimulated by movement. Also many trees, towers, and condos offer places to hide treats or catnip to allow that cat to give into their instinct to hunt.
Cats spend about 70% of the day sleeping. It is vital that choosing cat furniture to allow each cat to have their own favorite place to snooze. Cat beds should offer warmth, security and comfort! Cats also like to nap in the sun so placement by a window is nice and allows your cat a place to watch the world go by when awake.
When choosing cat furniture, make sure that you take into consideration your cat’s breed, age, size and health. Your cat’s needs and desire may change over time. Cat beds as well as other cat furniture can come in a variety of colors and texture so choosing one to match your décor should be easy.