Ranging from multi-platform “condos” to simple scratching posts and cute fabric tents, and from store-bought to homemade, our cats have a huge selection of furniture to choose from.

When choosing what to buy, consider your cat(s) level of physical activity, age and size. We never buy any furniture until we see our cats displaying behavior at home that makes us believe they will enjoy the furniture if we buy it for them. At best, you can bring your cat to one of the growing number of pet supply stores that allow animals to visit, and let them try it out for themselves!

If you buy sight unseen (catalog, Internet or magazine advertisement), be sure it is from a reputable dealer that has a money back guarantee. Don’t be afraid to call and ask questions about the product you are interested in buying. And always keep your receipts!

To get our cats used to a new piece of cat furniture, we either spray Feliway or sprinkle catnip on it (depending on which one the cat likes better).

Remember: Color is a matter of human choice. Whether to use it or not is up to the cat.

Scratching Posts

The urge to scrape, scratch, and “sharpen” their claws is universal in cats. Scratching is also a form of territorial scent marking, a way of saying “I was here”. The best method for humans to preserve furniture from this normal feline activity is to have scratching posts available. These allow your cat to shed the outer sheathing from their claws keeping them clean and growing properly. Sadly, many cat owners decide to have their cats “de-clawed”, a particularly cruel operation analogous to cutting off your fingers at the first knuckle, and which permanently prevents a cat from defending its life if it should ever find itself outside the house.

Jute or sisal rope, wound around a wood board or post, lasts the longest. These can be upright on free standing platforms, or hang from a doorknob. You can easily make several of these yourself from scrap wood and $3 worth of rope in an hour…longer if you let your cats play with the loose end of the rope

Some cats like to scratch an upright post, others are happy with one on the floor. Panther, our dominant male cat, likes to scratch heavy floor mats, and Glory, our queen, prefers her sisal board on the floor, rather than the doorknob. Jennifur enjoys shredding a 4×4 attached to a workbench, which we allow her to do because it’s rough wood homemade furniture anyway. She will occasionally also use an upright sisal post. Charger, our youngest male, enjoys both heavy floor mats and an upright sisal attached to a platform.

Basically you have to see where your cat(s) prefers to scratch, take into account the age (older cats will prefer something easy to reach) and size (a long-bodied cat can reach higher than a kitten) and find something that can accomodate your home and the cat’s needs.

Play Areas and Condo Units

Play, climbing, hiding, sleeping and watchfully resting are all important cat activities. These units, usually constructed of wood and carpet, can be wonderful additions to your cats’ life offering hours of behavioral enrichment.

Take measurements with you so you know the maximum size unit you can fit into the area you selected in your home — and also through the doors!

We have seen both well-made and poorly constructed units for a wide variety of prices. Exhibitors at cat shows often have great deals on these. Tightly woven carpet is best (not shag, which can catch on claws and collect fur and dust).

• Does it wobble? Your cat won’t like this new thing if it does. Push down on all ends and corners and make sure it’s stable. If your cat jumps on it and it rocks in a way that makes her doubt her safety, you will have just brought home a very expensive dust collector!
• Can you see staples or glue? This is a bad sign. If you can see it, your cats may end up hurting themselves on it.
• Is the carpeting securely fastened? If you scratch with your nails or rub with your hands, does it move? If so, you can bet it won’t last two weeks with a cat.
• Is the dangle toy (if any) securely attached when you tug on it?
• Are the platforms or cubby holes a good size for your cat to lie down on tucked in or stretched out in her favorite pose?
• If buying for a kitten, can he reach it now to play on, and will it accommodate him as he grows?
• If you have more than one cat, can they use it at the same time? Are there platforms or cubby holes at different heights, and can your cats easily climb them?

Cat Shelves

If your cat is like Jennifur, she loves to watch the birds. Another of our cats, Panther, enjoys napping in a sunny window.

We have bought and built window shelves for our cats and placed them at strategic locations (OK, virtually every window in the house, we admit it). All have soft fabric that we clean of shed fur weekly. Two are like a modified hammock, one is plastic with a felt-like top, one is wood with a recycled sheepskin car seat cover on top.

Measure your window(s). Be sure to see if the installation will work with your type of window, especially where the window sill is. Check that the general construction is sound before purchase.

Fabric Tents, Beds, Nests

Check that the seams are nicely finished off, with no loose threads to snag your cat’s claws.

Important questions:

• Can it be easily washed?
• Does it look and feel comfortable to you?
• Do you have a dry, draft-free location that your cat will go to all picked out? The best is one area that your cat already uses for sleep. Just introduce the new bedding (a spray of Feliway may help as it calms them).
• Does your cat like to snuggle and stay hidden while napping?
  Then a tent may be a wonderful gift for your feline friend.

Glory enjoyed her furry tent all through one winter and spring — she could sleep inside, or pounce on it and sleep on top (it crushed down into a very cushiony bed). Then she suddenly decided that our bed or an area rug were the only places she wanted to sleep. We keep it in hope that one of the other cats will adopt the tent someday. Besides, it’s fake leopard skin and looks so cute…