KittyNook is a large believer in offering cats with high-quality vertical house. Stimulating and protected vertical houses can work wonders in holding cats from being bored and serving to them get alongside higher with one another (and also you). Together with ample meals and shelter, we might rank vertical house as one of the crucial fundamental wants a cat proprietor ought to search to satisfy.
The Significance Of Being Up Excessive
Give it some thought—you will not often discover a wholesome cat resting on the bottom within the wild. At any time when they’ll, they search greater floor (or a hidey-hole).
Being up excessive permits cats to survey their environment from a snug distance with out the concern of ambush by enemy forces and different rogue cats. (Should you’re a cat proprietor, you understand how neurotic cats may be. I feel Their skittish paranoia is a part of their bizarre attraction.)
Vertical house additionally dramatically will increase your house’s cat-friendly actual property, increasing your cat’s area and slicing down on the opportunity of turf wars between stressed-out kitties. It additionally supplies them with a passive supply of train (and the motivation to do extra of it) since fats kitties do not get prime perches.
That stated, I’ve heard all the standard excuses: cat trees are an eyesore, costly, and make me look loopy. My cats do not want furnishings; they’re completely content material destroying all of mine.
To attempt to change your thoughts, KittyNook has the very best (and coolest) cat vertical house options for each finances and aesthetic. From trendy and streamlined to modern DIYs, making a cat-happy residence is far simpler (and prettier) than you assume. Try our number of cat trees right here.
The Advantages of Cat Trees for Your Cat
Cat trees provide extra than simply gratifying, ornamental cat furnishings on your residence. They ship quite a few bodily and psychological benefits on your cat, making them total wholesome and content material. Listed below are extra the explanation why your cat will recognize having a cat tree:
Train and Vitality Outlet
Much like people, cats require day by day bodily exercise and psychological stimulation to take care of their well being. If they don’t have an acceptable method to launch their built-up power, they could grow to be uninterested, inactive, and doubtlessly damaging.
Common train additionally aids in stopping weight problems, which might trigger extra well being points as your cat ages.
Consolation and Safety
Burdened, shy, or cautious cats discover consolation in cat trees, the place they’ll climb, chill out, and observe the world from a protected distance at their very own tempo. For cats that desire extra safety, there are cat trees with coated condos or cubbies to assist them really feel protected and assured.
Security and Stress Administration for Multi-Pet Familys
If there is a canine or a couple of cat in your house, tense conditions can come up rapidly, significantly in case your cat does not have a method to escape. Even when your pets get alongside effectively, it is unlikely that they will wish to be in one another’s firm on a regular basis.
A cat tree provides vertical house on your pets to distance themselves from one another whereas nonetheless sharing the identical house. This helps guarantee all pets keep protected and calm.
Psychological Enrichment
Your cat can benefit from the bodily benefits of climbing and leaping on the cat tree and reaping psychological well being advantages.
Whereas perched on its cat tree, your cat can observe birds exterior the window, stimulating its pure searching instincts and giving it hours of leisure.
Moreover, cat trees function scratching publishs, with many that includes connected enrichment toys to supply extra alternatives for play and engagement.
House-Saving Furnishings
Cats understand house extra vertically. Small residences can appear cramped and never spacious sufficient for a cat to be content material. Happily, cat trees provide elevated vertical house for cats to wander and play on, reworking a compact house into an thrilling jungle for them to discover.
Someplace to Sleep
Cats spend most of their time sleeping, and though they’ll sleep nearly anyplace, it is helpful to supply them numerous sleeping choices, similar to a comfy cat blanket on the windowsill or a snug cat mattress.
As talked about earlier, cats desire to be up excessive, so if attainable, it is a good suggestion to supply them with a sleeping place above the bottom. The Multi-Degree Cat Condominium for Giant Cats has a particularly snug hammock and a non-public felt shelter the place they’ll snuggle up.
Pure Urge to Climb
It is common for cats to have a pure inclination to hunt greater floor. The journey upward is simply as vital as reaching the highest. Cats have an innate need to climb, so offering a protected setting for them to take action is essential.
You’ll be able to choose a cat tree to fit your cat’s age and bodily capabilities. For older or much less adventurous cats, you may start with low steps and steadily enhance the peak. For extra energetic and daring cats, you may create a system that meets their climbing wants.
Leisure
A climbing tree is not solely a spot on your cat to perch and observe the environment; it may possibly additionally present ample leisure. When choosing a cat tree, be sure that it has options that can interact your pet, whether or not scratching publishs, cat toys, or intriguing climbing choices.
Hen Watching
We beforehand talked about that cats are prey animals, however as you probably know, they’re additionally pure hunters. If in case you have an outside cat, chances are you’ll incessantly obtain presents within the type of deceased birds and rodents at your door. Nonetheless, the hunt is commonly probably the most gratifying facet for a cat. Cats, even these with no intention or chance of catching prey, totally relish spying on and trying to sneak up on smaller animals.
In case your cat spends time open air, whether or not freely wandering or in a customized catio, it should recognize having a safe, excessive vantage level from which to watch birds within the yard. An out of doors free-form cat tree may be a super method to supply this chance.
Totally different Cat Trees for Your Cats (and Houses!)
The Classical Cat Tree
Everybody is aware of the carpeted cat tree with sisal legs. It is the workhorse in cat vertical house: cozy and purposeful however hardly pleasing to the attention. However nonetheless, there’s one thing cozy and homey about these, no? And cats positive dig them.
Trendy Cat Trees
This is the place it will get a bit extra enjoyable. These items add a variety of type to a cat tree‘s performance and will elicit greater than an “Oh..I see you’ve gotten cats” out of your company. (Anticipate one thing extra like, “Is {that a} cat factor? It is sort of… superior.”)
Wall Mounted Cat Cities
Maybe my favourite vertical kitty house answer is cat cabinets. They’re simply so extremely versatile, to not point out tremendous epic-looking. Plus, they do not take up any ground house and may double as trendy artwork. (That assertion is hardly a satire—have you ever seen a few of the stuff that passes for artwork as of late?)
It is like having an enormous cat aquarium in your front room. Or a cutaway ant farm, besides cuddlier. It is a cat lover’s dream to design probably the most badass cat wall jungle gymnasium ever (and publish fixed photos of its progress). And it is for a cause.
Particular person Cabinets
For one thing rather less intense, there are smaller, standalone items your cat can nonetheless take pleasure in perching at!
DIY
As many cat proprietors know, spending some huge cash to make your cats pleased is pointless. Regardless of being dignified creatures, cats are fairly low upkeep. Yow will discover DIY options for creating vertical house on your cats, starting from straightforward to artistic.
Components to Contemplate When You Purchase a Cat Tree
Not all cat trees are created equal, and there’s a vary of sizes and designs to pick out from. Your alternative of tree will rely upon what’s best suited on your cat, your family, and your finances.
Listed below are three components it is best to take into account when choosing your cat tree.
Your Cat’s Age
Your cat’s age and bodily situation will considerably affect the kind of cat tree you choose.
Youthful, extra energetic cats could desire a taller cat tree with house for climbing and leaping, whereas an older cat would possibly wrestle with a number of platforms. If in case you have an older cat, take into account selecting a shorter cat tree with just one or two platforms.
Your Cat’s Dimension
The bigger your feline, the more room it should require for climbing, resting, or stretching on its cat tower.
Should you personal an even bigger breed, similar to a Maine Coon, a bigger cat tower with broader compartments would be the extra appropriate alternative to make sure they really feel as content material as attainable. Equally, a smaller cat could desire a smaller, extra comfortable cat tower.
Your Cat’s Persona
Sure cats take pleasure in climbing and like to watch their environment from excessive vantage factors, whereas others desire to chill out in enclosed areas nearer to the bottom.
In case your cat enjoys observing from decrease ranges, shorter cat trees or ones with extra enclosed areas could be the best alternative. A tall, intricate cat tree will present extra pleasure if in case you have a daring cat that likes to climb.
Tips on how to Select the Proper Cat Tree
Take your cat’s age and capabilities into consideration. Do you’ve gotten a younger cat or an older one? A fundamental tree would possibly fit your older cat, who prefers to lounge round. A curious younger cat will want a extra complicated setup, probably a number of bushes round your house.
Consider the out there house. Cat trees can differ in measurement and complexity. If in case you have room for a bigger tree, it will likely be a worthwhile funding on your pet. Younger cats will set up habits early on, and as they develop into bigger cats, they are going to want more room.
Contemplate your cat’s preferences. Have you ever noticed your cat being interested in particular supplies, similar to rope or cardboard? Does your pet wish to scratch or climb? Select a cat tree that meets their particular person wants. Cat tree supplies embody carpet, cloth, cardboard, and twine. Providing quite a lot of surfaces will hold them engaged since not all cats have the identical preferences.
Security is essential. Make sure that your cat tree is just not simply tipped. The pressure from leaping, climbing, and scratching throughout playtime may cause an unstable cat tree to wobble.
How Cat Trees Work
Cat trees, whether or not easy or complicated, all perform in the identical fundamental method. Usually, they include a sturdy stand with prolonged arms and a broad base. Some could embody hiding holes or climbing tunnels.
Proudly owning a cat tree can profit each you and your feline pal. It permits you to redirect your cat’s clawing and climbing to designated toys, stopping harm to your house. Moreover, it supplies a protected outlet on your cat to satisfy their instincts for clawing and climbing.
Keep in mind that regardless of having a cat tree, your cat should scratch furnishings and climb on different surfaces. As an alternative of punishing your pet, it is best to give attention to redirecting these behaviors.
Encouraging Your Cat to Get pleasure from Their Cat Tree
When making your house cat-friendly, attempt to assume from a cat’s perspective. The place can your cat take pleasure in the very best views in your house? The place is the sunshine probably the most lovely? You’ll most likely have probably the most success by positioning your cat tree in opposition to a wall, near a window, or in a nook. Cats take pleasure in corners as a result of they really feel safe if their backs are in opposition to a wall.
Promote their enjoyment of it. In case your cat appears hesitant initially, get some catnip and sprinkle it on. Many cats cannot resist catnip, and being close to the scent will assist your pet chill out and really feel extra snug exploring their new cat tree. Provide loads of love and reward to assist them settle into their new house.
Direct their consideration elsewhere. Once they start scratching different furnishings, choose them up and place them close to the tree with out making them keep there. As soon as once more, give them loads of reward and affection on the cat tree in order that they affiliate it with optimistic experiences. It’d take a while, however quickly, your cat shall be drawn to their new tree and away out of your furnishings.
Introduce some selection. As time passes, the cat tree could grow to be much less engaging to your cat. Contemplate shifting it to make a distinct aspect accessible or relocating the tree to a different room. You would possibly even wish to purchase just a few cat trees on your pet in numerous rooms round the home.
Cats have an intuition to climb excessive. Within the wild, the pure alternative could be a tree. However do home felines use cat trees that lack bark and branches?
In case your cat continues to be reluctant to make use of their new climbing space, strive sprinkling catnip or inserting just a few scrumptious treats on its cabinets. You too can encourage your cat with a wand toy near the realm, encouraging them to hop onto the tree.
Give your cat a few days. Cats are recognized to be cautious round new gadgets, and likelihood is excessive that they will discover themselves enjoyable on them inside every week. Simply keep in mind that it is not troublesome to make your cats content material.
Even in case you do not spend money on a contemporary cat freeway system, simply positioning a bookshelf or armchair strategically could make an enormous distinction in making your cats really feel safer, relaxed, and concerned of their setting. That is significantly essential in case your cats are indoor pets since guaranteeing that their environment are sufficiently stimulating and enriching is significant. I extremely suggest it.
The place to Put a Cat Climbing Tree
An ordinary cat tree is normally positioned indoors, typically in a front room or spare room the place your cat enjoys spending time. Even in case you personal an outside cat, it probably spends a considerable period of time indoors, so it is important to plant it with an area to play and unwind.
Indoor cats, who could not obtain the identical degree of exercise and psychological stimulation, nearly require a cat climber for his or her total well-being. In fact, there are smaller and fewer intricate bushes for pets not keen on climbing. Nonetheless, it is at all times essential to make sure that the tree allows your cat to satisfy as a lot of their instincts as attainable, whether or not by scratching alternatives or secluded resting spots.
For cats that benefit from the nice open air in a balcony catio, including a climbing body to the enclosure can present them with extra stimulation and bodily exercise.
That is significantly helpful in case your cat prefers to remain inside the confines of the backyard however nonetheless enjoys climbing and taking part in above floor.
Does Your Cat Want a Cat Tree for Well being and Happiness? The Verdict
Certainly, most cats could be delighted to have a cat tree of their setting. An appropriate tree will allow cats to fulfill a lot of their innate behaviors – similar to climbing, scratching, hiding, and resting. It may be a unbelievable enhancement on your feline companion and provide limitless enjoyment, supplied you choose the suitable cat tree.
Your feline does not essentially want a cat tree to thrive. Nonetheless, offering them with retailers to precise their pure conducts, like scratching, climbing, and hiding, is significant. A cat tree provides a safe and designated house for these actions.
If the price or measurement of cat trees does not be just right for you, alternative routes exist to complement your cat’s setting. Buying a cat tree is not a should; as a substitute, you may incorporate different gadgets in your house to satisfy their wants. For example, putting in easy wall cabinets to create vertical house, and staggering the cabinets to permit your cat to climb from one to the following. Moreover, window perches present a popular vantage level on your cat to watch the surface world with out taking over a lot house.
Offering an acceptable floor for scratching can also be essential. A small however sturdy scratching publish is a good various and not using a cat tree.
