Cats are unique and have their own distinct personalities. However, they all share a common feature. All cats need their own comfort zone and cat furniture can provide that special place for them.
When deciding what type of furniture to buy for your cat, take a close look at your cat’s personality and lifestyle. Is your cat an indoor cat or an outdoor cat? Does your cat like to be isolated or outdoors? Does your cat prefer heights or does it prefer to be close to the ground? Is your cat a climber?
What are your preferences? Do you want the furniture to also provide activity for your cat, or do you simply want to provide a place to rest? Do you care if your cat furniture matches your decor or is your cat’s comfort the only thing that matters? The number of cats in your home will also factor into how big or small your cat tree needs to be.
If you have an outdoor cat, the amount of activity that cat furniture can provide is not as big an issue as it is for indoor cats. Outdoor cats should get plenty of mental stimulation and physical activity during their time away from home. A simple place to rest or even a cat bed may be all your outdoor cat needs for her comfort zone.
However, if your cat does not leave the house, you may want to find a model of cat furniture that can also stimulate your cat with some activity. Look for furniture with sisal-covered scratching surfaces, as all cats like to scratch. The sisal can be rope or cloth, and the scratching surface can be a board or post. If your cat likes to climb, a scratching post is preferable to a board and should be at least 32″ high. The sisal post can be integrated into furniture as a support post or can be a stand-alone replaceable post. preference for a piece of furniture that does not include scratching surfaces, they can also be purchased as stand-alone items.
Be prepared to spend quite a bit of money if your cat likes heights and isolation. Several manufacturers of carpeted cat trees provide enclosures near the top of the tree. These cat trees are quite large and can be a bit pricey. Large carpeted trees can also provide additional play activity with plush cat toys hanging from various levels. When buying this type of tree, take special care to make sure the base is large enough to prevent the tree from tipping over, as they tend to be top-heavy.
If carpeted towers aren’t to your liking, there are several non-carpeted options you can choose from. Because these trees are not carpeted, they are constructed of higher quality, aesthetically pleasing materials or natural tree branches. Non-carpeted tree manufacturers do not use OSB or particle board as their primary material, therefore their material cost is higher than their carpeted counterparts. This is why many of the uncarpeted trees are more expensive than a similarly sized carpeted tree. A nice advantage that uncarpeted trees offer is that most manufacturers offer replacement wearing surfaces. Wear surfaces are the areas where the cat rests or scratches. This can greatly increase the lifespan of uncarpeted furniture compared to the lifespan of its carpeted counterparts.
No matter what type of cat tree you decide to purchase, there are some common issues to be aware of. Make sure the tiers are comfortably spaced for your cat or cats. A vertical level height gap of 18″ to 22″ is ideal for most house cats. It gives them a lot of headroom when they occupy the lower level and allows them to get their feet on the upper level before jumping. Pay as much attention to the size of the levels as the quantity. A tree with large rows can support as many or more cats than a tree with more, but smaller, rows. As mentioned above, a large, stable base is essential.
If the furniture you’re interested in purchasing is constructed of OSB, particleboard, or MDF, make sure the material comes from a Carb-certified manufacturer. This ensures that the material is free from potential formaldehyde emissions. Also, make sure that the adhesives used do not contain dangerous toxins. Finally, make sure there are no staples on any of the exposed surfaces.
You may want to check if the furniture you are interested in has won any awards or other recognition for its quality and innovation. The Cat Fancy Editors’ Choice Awards are a good starting point. “Publishers (Cat Fancy) are looking for innovative products that reflect quality, creativity and originality, and fill a need in the market. Security and functionality are essential.” The Catnip Newsletter (published by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine) does monthly product reviews and is another good resource. Catnip does not accept advertising, so its reviews are considered 100% unbiased.
There are more cat furniture options available now than ever and you can spend as much as you want. Many models cost hundreds of dollars, so be sure to do your research before deciding which cat tower is right for you and your cats. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call or email the manufacturer.