KittyNook is a big believer in offering cats with high-quality vertical area. Stimulating and protected vertical areas can work wonders in retaining cats from being bored and serving to them get alongside higher with one another (and also you). Together with enough meals and shelter, we might rank vertical area as one of the crucial primary wants a cat proprietor ought to search to meet.
The Significance Of Being Up Excessive
Give it some thought—you may not often discover a wholesome cat resting on the bottom within the wild. At any time when they’ll, they search increased floor (or a hidey-hole).
Being up excessive permits cats to survey their environment from a snug distance with out the worry of ambush by enemy forces and different rogue cats. (For those who’re a cat proprietor, you know the way neurotic cats will be. I believe Their skittish paranoia is a part of their bizarre appeal.)
Vertical area additionally dramatically will increase your house’s cat-friendly actual property, increasing your cat’s area and reducing down on the potential for turf wars between stressed-out kitties. It additionally gives 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 area options for each funds and aesthetic. From trendy and streamlined to modern DIYs, making a cat-happy house is far simpler (and prettier) than you assume. Take a look at our choice of cat trees right here.
The Advantages of Cat Trees for Your Cat
Cat trees provide extra than simply gratifying, ornamental cat furnishings in your house. They ship quite a few bodily and psychological benefits in your cat, making them general wholesome and content material. Listed here are extra the reason why your cat will recognize having a cat tree:
Train and Vitality Outlet
Much like people, cats require each 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 turn out to be uninterested, inactive, and probably harmful.
Common train additionally aids in stopping weight problems, which may trigger extra well being points as your cat ages.
Consolation and Safety
Pressured, 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 shortly, notably in case your cat would not have a method to escape. Even when your pets get alongside properly, it is unlikely that they will need to be in one another’s firm on a regular basis.
A cat tree gives vertical area in your pets to distance themselves from one another whereas nonetheless sharing the identical area. 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 outdoors the window, stimulating its pure looking instincts and giving it hours of leisure.
Moreover, cat trees function scratching put ups, with many that includes hooked up enrichment toys to supply extra alternatives for play and engagement.
Area-Saving Furnishings
Cats understand area extra vertically. Small flats can appear cramped and never spacious sufficient for a cat to be content material. Fortuitously, cat trees provide elevated vertical area for cats to wander and play on, remodeling a compact residence into an thrilling jungle for them to discover.
Someplace to Sleep
Cats spend most of their time sleeping, and though they’ll sleep virtually wherever, it is useful to supply them numerous sleeping choices, resembling a comfortable cat blanket on the windowsill or a snug cat mattress.
As talked about earlier, cats desire to be up excessive, so if potential, it is a good suggestion to supply them with a sleeping place above the bottom. The Multi-Stage Cat Rental for Giant Cats has an especially comfy hammock and a personal felt shelter the place they’ll snuggle up.
Pure Urge to Climb
It is common for cats to have a pure inclination to hunt increased 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’ll be able to start with low steps and step by step improve the peak. For extra energetic and daring cats, you’ll be able to create a system that meets their climbing wants.
Leisure
A climbing tree is not solely a spot in your cat to perch and observe the environment; it could additionally present ample leisure. When choosing a cat tree, be sure that it has options that can have interaction your pet, whether or not scratching put ups, cat toys, or intriguing climbing choices.
Fowl Watching
We beforehand talked about that cats are prey animals, however as you seemingly know, they’re additionally pure hunters. In case you have an out of doors cat, you could regularly obtain presents within the type of deceased birds and rodents at your door. Nonetheless, the hunt is usually probably the most gratifying side for a cat. Cats, even these with no intention or risk of catching prey, totally relish spying on and trying to sneak up on smaller animals.
In case your cat spends time outside, whether or not freely wandering or in a personalised catio, it is going to recognize having a safe, excessive vantage level from which to look at birds within the yard. An outside free-form cat tree will be a really perfect method to supply this chance.
Totally different Cat Trees for Your Cats (and Properties!)
The Classical Cat Tree
Everybody is aware of the carpeted cat tree with sisal legs. It is the workhorse in cat vertical area: cozy and useful 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
Here is the place it will get a bit of extra enjoyable. These items add a whole lot of type to a cat tree‘s performance and will elicit greater than an “Oh..I see you’ve gotten cats” out of your friends. (Anticipate one thing extra like, “Is {that a} cat factor? It is sort of… superior.”)
Wall Mounted Cat Cities
Maybe my favourite vertical kitty area resolution is cat cabinets. They’re simply so extremely versatile, to not point out tremendous epic-looking. Plus, they do not take up any flooring area and may double as trendy artwork. (That assertion is hardly a satire—have you ever seen a number of the stuff that passes for artwork as of late?)
It is like having a large 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 fitness center ever (and put up fixed photos of its progress). And it is for a purpose.
Particular person Cabinets
For one thing rather less intense, there are smaller, standalone items your cat can nonetheless get pleasure from 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. You will discover DIY options for creating vertical area in your cats, starting from straightforward to inventive.
Elements 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 from. Your selection of tree will rely on what’s most fitted in your cat, your family, and your funds.
Listed here are three elements it’s best to contemplate 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 lively cats could desire a taller cat tree with area for climbing and leaping, whereas an older cat may wrestle with a number of platforms. In case you have an older cat, contemplate selecting a shorter cat tree with just one or two platforms.
Your Cat’s Dimension
The bigger your feline, the more room it is going to require for climbing, resting, or stretching on its cat tower.
For those who personal a much bigger breed, resembling a Maine Coon, a bigger cat tower with broader compartments would be the extra appropriate selection to make sure they really feel as content material as potential. Equally, a smaller cat could desire a smaller, extra cosy cat tower.
Your Cat’s Persona
Sure cats get pleasure from climbing and like to look at 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 perfect selection. 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 primary tree may fit your older cat, who prefers to lounge round. A curious younger cat will want a extra advanced setup, presumably a number of timber round your house.
Consider the accessible area. Cat trees can range in dimension and complexity. In case you have room for a bigger tree, will probably be a worthwhile funding in your pet. Younger cats will set up habits early on, and as they develop into bigger cats, they may want more room.
Contemplate your cat’s preferences. Have you ever noticed your cat being interested in particular supplies, resembling rope or cardboard? Does your pet prefer to scratch or climb? Select a cat tree that meets their particular person wants. Cat tree supplies embody carpet, material, cardboard, and cord. Providing a wide range of surfaces will hold them engaged since not all cats have the identical preferences.
Security is essential. Make sure that your cat tree will not be simply tipped. The power from leaping, climbing, and scratching throughout playtime could cause an unstable cat tree to wobble.
How Cat Trees Work
Cat trees, whether or not easy or advanced, all operate in the identical primary method. Usually, they encompass 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 good friend. It lets you redirect your cat’s clawing and climbing to designated toys, stopping harm to your house. Moreover, it gives a protected outlet in your cat to meet their instincts for clawing and climbing.
Do not forget that regardless of having a cat tree, your cat should scratch furnishings and climb on different surfaces. As a substitute of punishing your pet, it is best to give attention to redirecting these behaviors.
Encouraging Your Cat to Take pleasure in Their Cat Tree
When making your house cat-friendly, attempt to assume from a cat’s perspective. The place can your cat get pleasure from the very best views in your house? The place is the sunshine probably the most lovely? You’ll in all probability have probably the most success by positioning your cat tree in opposition to a wall, near a window, or in a nook. Cats get pleasure from 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 comfy exploring their new cat tree. Provide loads of love and reward to assist them settle into their new area.
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 constructive experiences. It’d take a while, however quickly, your cat might be drawn to their new tree and away out of your furnishings.
Introduce some selection. As time passes, the cat tree could turn out to be much less attractive to your cat. Contemplate transferring it to make a unique facet accessible or relocating the tree to a different room. You may even need to purchase a number of cat trees in your pet in numerous rooms round the home.
Cats have an intuition to climb excessive. Within the wild, the pure selection 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, attempt sprinkling catnip or putting a number of 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 chances are high excessive that they will discover themselves enjoyable on them inside per week. Simply do not forget that it is not tough to make your cats content material.
Even for those who 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 notably 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
A typical cat tree is often positioned indoors, typically in a front room or spare room the place your cat enjoys spending time. Even for those who personal an out of doors cat, it seemingly 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 stage of exercise and psychological stimulation, virtually require a cat climber for his or her general well-being. After all, there are smaller and fewer intricate timber for pets not keen on climbing. Nonetheless, it is at all times necessary to make sure that the tree allows your cat to meet as a lot of their instincts as potential, whether or not via scratching alternatives or secluded resting spots.
For cats that benefit from the nice outside in a balcony catio, including a climbing body to the enclosure can present them with extra stimulation and bodily exercise.
That is notably useful 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 acceptable tree will allow cats to fulfill a lot of their innate behaviors – resembling climbing, scratching, hiding, and resting. It may be a improbable enhancement in your feline companion and provide limitless enjoyment, offered you choose the suitable cat tree.
Your feline would not essentially want a cat tree to thrive. Nonetheless, offering them with retailers to precise their pure habitss, like scratching, climbing, and hiding, is significant. A cat tree gives a safe and designated area for these actions.
If the associated fee or dimension of cat trees would not give you the results you want, other ways exist to complement your cat’s setting. Buying a cat tree is not a should; as an alternative, you’ll be able to incorporate different gadgets in your house to fulfill their wants. For example, putting in easy wall cabinets to create vertical area, and staggering the cabinets to permit your cat to climb from one to the subsequent. Moreover, window perches present a well-liked vantage level in your cat to look at the surface world with out taking over a lot area.
Offering an acceptable floor for scratching can be essential. A small however sturdy scratching put up is a good various with no cat tree.
