If you're thinking of getting a cat, you have a few options on how to keep your cat and your furniture apart. A cat's nature is to dig their claws into anything they can get a hold of and scratch around a bit. Their nails need to be worked. It just so happens that in your house, many of your pieces of furniture will seem to be a perfect place to do that for your cat. It's not really fair to scold your cat for doing something that comes natural, without offering a better option. Also in today's more animal friendly world, de-clawing your cat is not as much of a choice. So, how do you keep your cat, your furniture and your sanity?
Thankfully, there are some pieces of cat furniture you can buy that will keep you from losing your mind and keep you from losing any furniture or wanting to lose your cat. They're called cat trees. Cat trees are scratching post furniture pieces for your kitty. While some people think of just getting a little scratching board for their cat, cat trees are a better long term option, because the cat will come to recognize that the trees are their space and use them as a piece of furniture as well. Most cat trees are a structure of some sort that is covered with carpet. That is the fun surface your cat will love to dig its claws into.
As you consider cat trees, you need to know the size your cat is, and if it's going to grow any more. Good cat trees will be taller than your cat, when he stretches out, which for some cats is a long way.
While you can settle for the small cat trees that allow your cat to scratch and maybe curl up on the bottom, if you really want to make sure your cat and the cat tree are close friends, you should consider your cats other needs. Cats love to get a vantage point in a room, and they like to climb on things. Many cat trees offer this through layers and perches that your cat can get some exercise on. Others have tunnels and box areas so you cat can have their own little den to hide in, as well as a place to scratch. With how much cats sleep, 10-15 hours a day, it's only fair to give them a cozy place to curl up. Also keep in mind, most cats are not big on loud noises or too much activity, so if you have a safe space for them, it will offer an area of comfort when things get loud in the house.
When you first bring cat trees into the house, your cat will likely still choose your furniture for its clawing desires. You need to make sure to firmly say no when your kitty is clawing on your furniture, but always praise him when he decides to claw on the cat trees. Eventually he will get the picture, and leave your furniture in peace.
Cat's love to climb, cat trees are a perfect place to do that with many of them having a number of levels for a cat to climb to before being at the top of the proverbial world and looking down at any animals below, tail wagging, ready to pounce.
Cat nature is also to scratch. Most cat trees are made of materials like carpet and sisal rope that are just begging to be scratched and will hold up when your cat obliges and digs his nails in.
Cats love to play hide and seek. Many cat trees have various places to crawl in and out of on the levels of the tree. This means cats can crawl through these spaces as they hunt their next toy target.
Deciding to buy cat trees should be a relative no-brainer if you own a feline. The only thing to know is what to look for when you are making that purchase.
First, you need cat trees that are sturdy. You don't want your cat climbing his way to the top only to have it topple over on him. Not only can your kitty get hurt if this were to happen, but he also will never trust cat trees again, and you are out one tool to keep him from clawing your furniture to pieces. Check for extra weight at the bottom of cat trees to be able to counter any rough kitty play at the top. The bottom platform should be of a substantial size and be at least 2 layers thick of wood, so it has the weight needed to hold up to a little batting around by the cat.
How much help does your cat need in climbing? If you keep your cats claws relatively trimmed, he may not be able to easily climb to the top of cat trees. But you can offer a little help. Either make sure there are alternating levels to climb up the cat trees you are purchasing, or make sure you will have other objects you can set near the cat trees to give your pet the boost he needs to get to the top of the toy.
Make sure the cat trees fit the cat. There are cat trees in all sizes. The one you get must be big enough for your cat. If you have a tabby that is still a kitten, you may want to avoid paying for higher priced cat trees now and purchase a small one. You need to remember, kittens grow fast and soon that baby cat will be full grown and will have grown out of the smaller cat trees. If there is not adequate scratching available, your cat should be able to completely stretch his body and paws out across the scratching area; he will shy away from the cat trees and instead dig his claws into your furniture. It's better to buy cat trees that will be the right size, up front, and let your cat grow into them.
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