Does your feline companion have a cat tower? Kitties are really adept at making themselves comfortable. Fluffy will not hesitate to stretch out, spread out, or cuddle up on your bed, chair, sofa, table, laptop, lap, floor, or whatever else she can fit in, on, or under. This is one reason why cats are so easy to care for. However, kitties do both love and profit from having a few items that they do not have to share with their humans. Continue reading as a local Galloway, OH veterinarian outlines a few points on choosing cat furniture.

Why Should I Get Some Furniture for My Cat?

You do not need to overload your home with Fluffy-related items. If we can say one thing about cats, it’s that they are very, very good at sleeping. For the most part, we would recommend that she have a few things of her own.

Here are a few reasons why Fluffy needs a few things she doesn’t have to share:

Privacy: One reason why cats should have their own things? Simple space. Everyone requires a private, peaceful space to retreat to. Fluffy may require a break from your youngster, the dog, the vacuum cleaner, or simply the hustle and bustle of people moving back and forth.

Elevation: As you may have noticed, many of our feline friends enjoy being at high areas. Your pet will not have a decent vantage point from ground level. Kitties have a natural ability to climb. Fluffy’s claws are angled in such a way that she can easily scale things. (Going down is a little difficult and must be learned, but that’s another story.) This isn’t just because cats want to have people gazing up at them in affection, though that may be a plus. In the wild, cats both hunt and are hunted. They must continuously be alert for any predators that may be on the prowl. That is, of course, much easier to accomplish from a lofty vantage point.

Security: Trees offer multiple functions for cats in the wild. They provide kitties with a safe haven to escape a coyote, a vantage point to spot a coyote, a napping area to rest after running away from said coyote, and manicure stations to sharpen their claws for defense against coyotes. Coyotes of course aren’t Fluffy’s only predator: that’s just an example. Cat towers serve as a pretty good stand-in for trees, and fulfill those same purposes.

Sleeping Points: We probably don’t need to explain this one very much. Kitties are constantly on the lookout for napping areas!

Nail Care Stations: One of the few disadvantages of owning a cat is that Fluffy may decide to do her nails on your furniture. Your pet is not deliberately trying to be destructive; she is simply satisfying her inherent urge to keep her nails sharp. This is a clear case of ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. You won’t have very much success convincing your cat to stop doing her nails, and you should never chastise or punish her for it. That will just confuse your pet and possibly make her afraid of you. It’s much better to simply provide Fluffy with a good manicure station. This will protect your furnishings while also satisfying your pet’s natural scratching instinct.

Do Cats Need Beds?

Given Fluffy’s ability to sleep up to 20 hours per day, it’s no surprise that beds rank high on her list of favorite things. Store-bought beds are excellent, but you may also build your own. Cats are certainly not choosy about where they sleep. Fluffy will sleep in a pizza box, a lasagna pan, or a plant pot. However, she does appreciate having soft, comfy spots. You can also place folded blankets on a chest or ottoman to increase purrs.

Why Are Cats So Obsessed with Boxes?

We can’t talk about cat furniture without including boxes. The official hypothesis holds that cats feel safer in compact, enclosed spaces. This makes sense because nothing can sneak up on them. However, that argument crumbles when you see photographs of cats pushing themselves into boxes that are too big, too small, or nothing more than a square boundary of tape.

Tips for Choosing a Cat Tower

The cat tower is, of course, the gold standard here. Choosing a scratching post or cat tower is pretty simple, but there are a few considerations.

Sturdiness: You’ll need something solid. Fluffy’s tower should be able to stand up to those crazy kitten antics. (Keep in mind that this could include your pet taking a flying jump onto the tower or simply propelling herself up it at high speed.)

Safety is, of course, the primary concern here, but there is another factor as well. If your pet’s tower wobbles as she attempts to use it, she may grow apprehensive. The tower should also be able to support your pet’s weight.

Height: As previously said, cats enjoy climbing to high spots. In general, higher is better.

Accessibility: While kittens may have no trouble scrambling to the top of a tower, an older cat will prefer something easier to get on and off. Keep your pet’s age in mind.

How Many Cat Towers Do Kitties Need?

There is no true upper limit here. If you want to buy your furry little diva a dozen or more cat trees, go for it! What is the minimal number of cat trees or towers? We recommend at least one per kitten. It is not the end of the world if two or more cats share a tower. However, ensure that the tower has enough levels to accommodate them all at once.

Other Types Of Cat Furniture

Cat towers and beds are perhaps Fluffy’s favorite components, but they are far from the only ones. In fact, you may get a variety of adorable and entertaining purrniture pieces for your feline.

Here are a few alternative solutions:

Window Seats: Does Fluffy have a favorite window spot? We think she probably does. While your pet won’t mind if you get her a posh window seat, she’ll be equally satisfied with a space on an ottoman or recliner with a nice view. This will provide an area for your pet to relax, sunbathe, and observe nearby wildlife.

Cat Wheels: You’ve probably seen the wheels that are popular among smaller animals such as hamsters and gerbils. There are also kitty-sized versions of them. This is an excellent choice for a lively, energetic kitty.

Cat Shelves: If you truly want to spoil your feline friend, consider getting her some shelves. Many furballs love scampering about at high elevations!

Litterbox Concealment: This one is about hiding functionality behind form. You can purchase items designed expressly to hide Fluffy’s purrsonal powder room. You can also be creative by upcycling something. There are many fantastic examples and suggestions for this online. For example, you could upcycle an old dresser or desk to hide the litterbox. This would also work on a trunk. The main thing is to ensure that your cat can go in and out. You’d also need to be able to access it for cleaning.

Book An Appointment At Our Galloway, OH Pet Clinic

Is your kitty companion due for a checkup? Have you recently adopted a new cat? Please contact us, your local Galloway, OH pet hospital, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are always delighted to help!