If you are a cat owner, you surely know that it is essential for your feline friend to have a space that they can call their own. Cats love climbing, scratching, and perching on high grounds to see the world around them. Investing in a cat tree is one of the best ways to cater to such instincts. It not only offers a dedicated space for your cat to play, sleep, and scratch but also helps protect your furniture from unwanted claw marks.
Why Every Cat Deserves it
Cats are naturally very good at climbing and scratching. If they were in the wild, they would climb trees to survey the environment, mark their territory, and sharpen their claws. A cat tree mimics this environment in your home, offering a place for your pet to scratch, climb, and relax. Several key reasons every cat can benefit from include:
1. Promotes Exercise
Cats are independent, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't exercise. A multi-level cat tree with different levels makes your cat jump, climb, and explore, therefore keeping them active and healthy. This is highly important in indoor cats, who hardly get a chance for extensive physical exercises like their outdoor counterparts.
2. Promotes Mental Stimulation
Other behaviour problems in cats, such as scratching furniture or excessive meowing due to boredom, can also be cured. A cat tree keeps the mind of your cat active, stimulates, and engages, thus amused. It has built-in toys, tunnels, and places to hide that prevent boredom and encourage natural behaviours like hunting and pouncing.
3. Provides a Safe Space
They love having their space to which they retire and feel safe. A cat tree offers them a perch at an elevated position from which to observe what is going on in their surroundings, without feeling threatened. High perches also allow your cat to retreat away from other pets or from people when they want some time alone.
4. Saves Your Furniture
Of all the most annoying behavioural expressions that cats depict, perhaps what bugs their owners most is scratching up furniture, carpets, or curtains. Scratching is one of those natural behaviours of cats, which they perform to maintain sharp claws, leave scent and stretch muscles. A cat tree will appropriately channel this urge for scratching and save your furniture from destruction.
What to Look for When Buying it
With so many options available, it sometimes can be bewildering to get the perfect one for your cat. To make it a little easier, here are some things you need to keep in mind while choosing a dream cat tree for your feline companion.
1. Size and Height
First of all, let's think about the size and height of it. While an active cat would love a tall one carrying several layers of maximum comfort, a house that has limited room space would be much better with a smaller, more compact design. Just make sure to measure the area you will fit it into, so it can fit in comfortably. If you have more than one cat, then get a larger one featuring multiple perches and platforms to house all your pets.
2. Materials
The materials used on it will very much determine the strength and comfort. Where possible, these are supposed to be of good quality with materials such as dense wood, strong fabric, and sisal rope. Sisal is a very good material for scratching posts because it is tough enough for your cat's claws but still offers a nice texture for scratching.
3. Stability and Safety
Safety needs to be one of the main priorities when it comes to choosing it. This means that the tree needs to have a stable, level base so that it will not fall over when your cat tries to climb or jump from it. These are provided with wall anchors for added stability, and this is especially important if your cats are large or energetic.
4. Scratching Posts
A good cat tree should have at least one scratching post. It's usually wrapped up in sisal rope, which is what your cat wants to scratch on. The scratching posts should be sturdy and long enough for your feline friend to properly stretch the body during scratching. If your cat is an avid scratcher, it will be important to consider it with a few scratching posts at different heights.
5. Interactive Elements
Some cat trees have dangling toys, tunnels, or ropes just to keep your feline companion busy until you get back home. These playful elements would ward off boredom and make them interested in playing.
One of the best decisions you could make for your cat's well-being would be to invest in a cat tree. Here at PawPaw Up, we have an extensive array of excellent products that assure comfort and safety for your cat.