Things Cats Need p. 3

Cats have several needs that require humans to provide various items so the cats can fulfill their needs. Aside from needing food and water, cats also need litter boxes; scratching items; toys, high places; safe, snuggly sleeping spots; and a carrier. There are some particular considerations regarding all of those, some that will vary with the individual cat, or depending upon how many cats are in the home.

Certain items can help solve some behavior problems of cats. In truth, some of what humans call "behavior problems" are due to the cats not having the correct things they need, such as scratching posts, or large enough litter boxes.  The cats will still need to do certain behaviors, so without acceptable items provided for them, they will have to make due with items in your home, such as scratching on your furniture.

>Do read through this section to find out some things cats need, some things they like, and some ideas on how to make living with cats better for them and you!

This Page	Other Pages:
Cat furniture	Cat beds and mats Carriers Litter Boxes Scratchers and scratching posts Toys
Trees and Towers
Stack 'ems/Kitty Gyms/Condos/Cubbies
Window hammocks and perches

Cat Furniture

There are a wide variety of types of cat furniture available. Trees, towers, condos, perches, etc.

More cat furniture can be found here.

Trees and Towers

A cat tree or tower is a good staple item in any cat home. Cats love to go up on high places.  They also love to climb.  A cat tree or tower can provide exercise, a scratching post and a cozy napping spot all in one item. 

Cat trees are particularly good for small homes or apartments, or homes with many cats, making use of vertical space to provide more area for the cat or cats. In a home with small children or a puppy who might pester the cats, a cat tree or tower gives a place for the cat to get away out of reach.

They are best placed with a window view. Though some are expensive, they last a long time and are worth the money spent.  Very inexpensive cat trees do not hold up with wear over time, and some are not completely stable.  It is very important that a cat tree or tower not tip at all. 

Cat trees and towers can be floor to ceiling, or shorter.  Some are more elaborate than others. You can get trees with sisal posts, or all carpet. Click the pictures on the left for larger images and more information.

Some wonderful cat trees, and shorter perches, are made by Great Lakes Cat Furniture. Their cat furniture is colorful and made to look like actual trees or flowers (more or less). A great feature is that the top of every cat tree, as well as every large leaf (shelf), is constructed with extra padding and a thermal liner to retain your cat's body heat for greater comfort! Not only that, but the large leaves on the tree designs are "flex" when your cat climbs or jumps on them, so they act as a shock absorber, making it easier on the cat’s joints. I have never seen any cat furniture with those wonderful features. These trees are worth the cost.

Click here to see a wide variety of Cat trees

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Stack 'ems/Kitty Gyms/Condos/Cubbies

Called by various names, these are smaller sized cat furniture items.  Some can be stacked on top of each other, (securely fastened together), set securely on top of a table (perhaps bolted to it), or placed on the floor as a lower height piece of cat furniture.  Those with a sisal scratching post make for a more versatile item.  Cats do use these items, if you find the right location in your home.  If a cat is not using the item, move it somewhere else.  

We bolted a one story condo to the top of a short bookcase.  It is one of the favorite perching places of our cats now, as Minerva and Galen are demonstrating in the photo on the right.  You must bolt the condo if placing it on a bookcase or other narrow item since it will tumble down when a cat jumps up from the floor to get in or on it.  (Poor Minerva had a bad experience with that happening when I placed it on the book case to try it out.  She wasn't hurt, fortunately.)  The cats like to leap up and latch their claws into the carpet of the condo to then crawl up on it, rather than leap up to the top of the bookcase itself first.

The one story cubbies/condos are great for young kittens to get their first climbing experiences, as well as a place for them to "hide" or cuddle up for a nap.  If a cat is being boarded, the one story condos will fit in some cages, providing a place for your cat to get away from the staring eyes of the other cats also being boarded, thereby helping your cat feel more secure.

 

Kozy Leopard Cat Condo

Two sisal scratching post made from strong, durable, long lasting PVC plastic. Four removable plush cone sleeves with easy on - easy off Velcro used for PVC cone covers (optional) Removable wall-to-wall inside Cat Condo lining for easy washing with removable outer cover and roof. Assembled unit measures 16"W x 32"L x 38"H.

32 Inch Sleeping Tray

This combination scratching post and perch comes in several colors, and with or without sisal rope wrapped legs.  However, most cats prefer sisal rope to scratch on.

Built sturdy for cats jumping on and launching off of it. The large wobble- free base is 20"x20".  Wobble-free items are very important or the cats won't want to use them.

Claw Pals California Kitty Condo 14.0 x 14.0 x 15.0 inches

Reasonably priced at around $27.00. Cats will love the top perching shelf!  Includes a section of sisal rope wrapping for scratching.  Click the name above for more info.

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Window hammocks and perches

These are great, inexpensive items that cats love!  Our cats use them all the time. The window hammocks can be found in many pet stores as well as department stores such as Wal-mart.  The hammocks, shown on the left, aren't actual swinging items.  They are a saggy cloth fitted onto a plastic frame.  

The hammocks do make a cozier and warmer snoozing spot for the cats than a ledge or shelf, since the cats are partly burrowed into the hammock and their bodies are not resting on a hard surface.  The hammocks come with directions and supplies to use velcro to hold it to the window sill, but with two or three cats sharing it, that does not hold with much repeated use, as two of our cats found out to their shock and dismay the day the hammock fell!  So it is best to affix the frame to the windowsill with the screws supplied.  Aside from being a comfy snoozing spot, the cats also use them to watch the world out the window.  Replacement covers for the frame are available.

Catnapper Window Hammock Blue Pawprint, Cream Cat Napper

Orthopedic Kitty Sill Window Perch Has a core of high-grade, convoluted orthopedic foam over a plastic frame and covered by soft, faux sheepskin. Faux sheepskin cover secures with elastic and can be machine

 

Lectro Thermal Heated Kitty Window Sill Perch uses a dual thermostat 6-watt heating unit to keep the surface 12º to 15º above ambient air temperature to maintain a cat pleasing 102° when in use by the pet. A 14 X 24 oval layer of super soft orthopedic foam is covered with washable faux lambskin to provide year round comfort.

 

Large Padded Cat Window Perch : Color Natural

Window perches are a must if you don't have 5 or 6 inch wide window ledges.

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