Cat Furniture

Your cat considers everything in your house or apartment as his own cat furniture, to do with what he chooses. That usually involves damaging it in some way! Scratching is one problem that has seen the demise of chairs and sofas, carpets and wallpaper. Sleeping sees ground in dirt in favoured sleeping areas such as cushions and carpets...and your bed if you're not careful. There may be scratch marks on tall cabinets, bookcases or fridges where your cat scrabbles for a hold in order to get into a high position. Some or all of these problems can be alleviated with the introduction of some real cat furniture. Read a story about where cats sleep and a cat allergy.

Sleeptime - Cat Beds

Pads

Pads are simply flat pieces of fabric, some stuffed, that lie on a chair or sofa cushion. The makers of some pads claim that their products are electro-statically charged to capture dander and hair. Some are made from fake fur or sheepskin and may be washable. Some are also heated. Yet others are infused with catnip to entice your cat to sleep on them.

Cup-Style Beds

This style of bed really seems to appeal to cats. Cup Cat Beds are one of the most popular types of cat bed that moulds to the natural contour of a cat's curled up sleeping position and helps him retain body heat. Most cup beds are made of plush fabric. Cup beds come in a variety of sizes and some have hoods. Most have a sheepskin lining and the beds are warm in winter and cool in summer. They can be placed wherever your cat likes to sleep. The linings are usually removeable and machine washable.

Heated Beds

For the ultimate in cat comfort, there are the heated beds such as the Thermo Kitty Bed. These heated beds (the heating unit fits inside a protective outer covering) keep the temperature in the bed 12-15 degrees above the background room temperature and run on about 8-10 watts. These beds may be beneficial if your cat sleeps in a colder location in your home or if he suffers from arthritis.

Novelty Beds

Believe it or not, you can get bunk beds for multi-cat households. These two-level natural wicker beds allow two cats to sleep in comfort and come with two plush polyfill cushions. Cats who enjoy fresh air will leap onto the top bunk, and those who love to burrow will find the bottom bunk a safe haven.

Igloo style beds are perfect for cats who love to be warm and covered. These Cat Beds are two layers thick and have a removable pad. The pad has a luxurious heavy weight fleece on one side and the lighter weight fleece fabric on the other. Plastic material is used to support the opening and the bed is totally washable and dryable. (This one's a top seller).

Did You Know ... A cat's body temperature drops slightly while they sleep. This explains why some cats like to sleep in direct sunlight or right next to their owner.

Scratching Posts

One thing cats do is scratch – not themselves because of fleas or irritants but usually your furniture. They do so for a number of reasons: to remove the dead outer layer of their claws; to mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent – they have scent glands on their paws; to stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws or to work off energy. So to keep their nails healthy and your furniture safe, a good scratching post> is virtually an essential piece of cat furniture.

Sisal Cat Scratching Posts are popular with cats as it gives them something to sink their claws into, and is preferred by most cats over soft carpet wrapped posts . Also, be sure to get a post that is sturdy and tall enough for your cat's fully stretched body.

Where a cat is used to scratching in one area (one of my cats always scratched a particular corner of carpet), he may show little interest in a newly introduced scratching post. Here are a few things to try if your cat gives the scratching post the cold shoulder:

• rub something he’s slept on onto the post so his smell is on it

• bring him to the post and lightly drag his front paws down the post. Make sure that if his nails aren’t retracted that you don't damage them by pulling too hard

• rub some catnip onto the post . This will get most cats’ attention.

• place the post at the location your cat most likes to scratch so he gets used to the post instead

Watching The World Go By - Cat Perches

Cats love to be in high places and to look out windows. Aside from window sills, which may be full of breakable knick-knacks or flowerpots, a Cat Perch provides your feline friend with a place to sit or lie and watch the world roll by. Some cat perchs are specifically designed to attach to a window, others are freestanding. Some are even heated. Whatever perch you choose will give your cat height (and status!) and some fun at the same time.

For the older cat who might be suffering from arthritis, there's the Orthopedic Window Perch which is covered by soft, faux sheepskin that can be machine washed.

See Heights & Cats for more information on why cats love being in high places.

Playtime – Cat Trees & Kitty Condos

Here’s where cat trees and kitty condos come in. These usually have a couple of levels and/or cubbyholes and provide an interesting piece of furniture to be explored and played with. Many are covered in carpet-like material , so your cat will enjoy sitting or lying on or in the tree or condo . Condos usually have at least one room where your cat can escape form the world for a little peace and quiet.

Sisal covered trees and condos can also act as scratching posts and taller trees and condos can also take the role of a perch.

If you want your cat to be the envy of every other cat in the neighborhood, then order a custom-built Big Oak Kitty Gym . It's one of the most expensive cat trees available!