3 Reasons to Get Your Cat Stuck in a Tree
Chances are, if your cat climbs up a tree and won’t come down, the fire department will be of no help to you. They have life-threatening fires to attend to. You can beg and plead, but they will calmly tell you that your cat will come down when he’s ready; if he climbed up he can climb down. They may even try to assure you by telling you they have never heard of a cat dying in a tree and have never seen a cat skeleton hanging from a tree limb.
But that doesn’t change the fact that cats love to climb things! Luckily, today a stylish and sturdy cat tree allows your cat to get maximum vertical exercise while staying safely indoors. So why should you get a cat tree for your fluff ball?
1. Cat Trees Keep Cats Out of Trouble
Cats love to explore high, low, and everywhere in between. If you need to keep your cat off the kitchen counter, book shelves, or china cabinet, getting her her own cat tree can be a big help. Some cat owners have the extra space to build an entire cat habitat in a room or basement, complete with cat trees, catwalks, cat-friendly shelving, tunnels and plenty of toys all in one area. But anyone can create a mini-habitat for cats in a corner of a room, starting with a cat tree tall enough for your cat to jump or climb on. Keeping this area well-stocked with sprinklings of catnip, hidden treat treasures, dangling toys, and cat beds will keep kitty coming back to this area and away from your precious valuables.
Cat trees are usually equipped with scratching posts of carpet, sisal rope, wood, or cardboard. Scratching these surfaces will be very tempting to your cat, which will take the temptation away from her scratching your furniture and walls. This scratching will also keep their claws trim and healthy by helping to shed the outer layer.
2. Cat Trees Keep Cats Exercised and Healthy
A lazy cat can become overweight if not fed healthy foods higher in protein than in carbohydrates. And an overweight cat can be susceptible to illnesses like diabetes and arthritis. This can raise your vet bills and shorten the life span of your best feline friend. A tall cat tree with different levels for kitties to climb, explore, and rest on while window gazing will burn fat, build muscle, keep joints lubricated, and keep claws healthy. Many cat owners serve meals up at the top of the cat tree, so that the kitty burns calories simply by climbing up to get food: a wonderful incentive to get some daily exercise!
3. Cat Trees Offer Cats Security and Comfort
In the outside world cats may climb trees to chase birds or squirrels, but they also climb them to feel safe and escape from danger. They feel more comfortable, confident, and less vulnerable when they can look down on the world below them. If there is sibling rivalry between the cat and the dog, or an alpha cat and a more submissive one, cat trees offer a wonderful escape route. Kitty can even escape from the evil vacuum cleaner by climbing her tree!
Durable, stylish cat trees are easy for cats to maneuver. They may spend so much time there, you might worry that they are stuck. But don’t worry – if they climbed up, they can climb down. They’ll come down when they’re ready.
Why Every Cat Should have a Scratching Post
As unfortunate as it is, some people believe that having a cat declawed is as routine as getting it vaccinated. In the States, the procedure is commonly done on the same day cats are spayed or neutered. Declawing is only banned in a few cities in California. Everywhere else, it is considered normal to have a cat declawed by the average American cat owner.
This terrible procedure was born from a human desire to have perfect furniture and curb a natural cat behavior. In the wild, cats scratch on tree trunks to mark their scent with the pheromones in their paw pads. Scratching also keeps their claws groomed and assists in shedding the outer layer of their nails. Imagine how distressing it must be for a cat to have to use whatever object it can find to see out this natural behavior, only to be scolded for doing so.
Luckily, the cat scratching post was invented so that cats may have a sturdy tool on which to scratch their hearts out. Whether the posts are stand alone pieces made solely for scratching, attached to the corner of two walls, or built into a cat tree or other activity center, cats can learn to love their scratching posts. They will often run to their post when playing, climbing and scratching on it while letting off energy and exercising.
A good cat scratching post will be tall enough for a cat to get a nice stretch while gripping the post with its claws. Some cat trees are so tall, the adjoining scratching post serves as both a scratcher and a way to climb up to a platform. This is an excellent workout and stress reliever for indoor cats. Other vertical scratching posts are flat and hung from door handles. Some cats also enjoy scratching horizontally; especially older cats with a little less pep in their step. For these cats, there are scratching mats that lay on the ground and are equally tempting.
Of course, some kitties might still try to sneak in a scratch on a rug, sofa, or even the wallpaper. Experts suggest offering a cat scratching post in every room of the house. There are also tricks that will deter your cat from scratching in undesirable areas.
The two most common tools used are double sided tape or tin foil. Cats hate them both and will usually not put their paws anywhere near them on purpose. You can cover any area the cat prefers with these materials, and this will usually do the trick.
Some people spray bitter apple or cat deterrent spray, but you might find that the smell deters yourself, as well. Some people swear by squirting a cat with water from a squirt gun, while other cat owners claim it either gets their cat more excited, or is no use because they own the odd cat that loves water. Other cat owners will shake a jar or can of coins in hopes of startling kitty. Again, this just excites some cats, but works for others.
Whenever you catch a cat in the act of scratching something inappropriate, it is best not to scold her. You’ll only confuse her, and possibly teach her that she CAN scratch there, just not while you are home. Instead, lift her up gently and carry her to the cat scratching post in a calm manner. You may even take her paw and scratch it on the post yourself in the beginning. Praise her whenever she comes in contact with the post. Sprinkle a little catnip on it before you leave for work, and hide treats near it. She’ll soon learn the post is her very own territory to treat as she pleases.
Why Does My Cat Need a Cat Tree?
A happy cat is a balanced cat: one whose playtime is proportionate to relaxation time, with a healthy amount of both curiosity and laziness. A bored, unhappy, or stressed cat will tempt you with naughtiness, scratching in all the worst places seemingly just to get your attention, and climbing the curtains so you’ll look away from the computer screen for a while. There are many easy, affordable tools to help keep kitty entertained, but one of the best is the cat tree.
A cat tree offers maximum exercise in minimal space. Cats love climbing and peering down stoically at the world below them. It may as well have been built into their DNA, right next to the prey drive gene. Letting a cat perch up high is telling the cat, “you are safe here. You are the biggest one here, and the most important.” A happy kitty will respect this gift. Not only will she use the tree for climbing, jumping, and romping, but also to rest in a spot that feels safe.
A well-built cat tree will have multiple levels on which to jump and rest. It will be heavy enough to keep stable as kitty rough houses it. It will have posts wrapped in sisal rope–a hard, natural fiber with little stretch, perfect for scratching–or possibly carpeted posts. It may have hammocks, hiding spots, perches, hanging toys, bridges, tunnels, stairs…the possibilities are endless. Some are built like a true jungle gym for your little lion and look so fun you’ll wish you could be a cat for a day!
Your cat will work every muscles as he climbs onto the different levels, which will help keep his muscles and heart toned and his joints limber. In the process, he’ll also keep his nails healthy and off of your furniture. He might work off enough energy climbing to the top that he’ll plop right down for a nap, saving your furniture from cat fur. Hiding toys and catnip in different spots of the cat tree will ensure kitty will keep coming back for new adventures and fun. Placing the tree by a window will offer the perfect spot for bird gazing and world watching.
Another perk of multi-level cat trees is giving cats their own space in a home with multiple pets. If one kitty is feeling less playful than another, she can climb to the top perch to give herself some distance from her rambunctious sibling. If the dog is feeling playful and the cat doesn’t wish to become trampled, climbing up her cat tree will help keep her safe and feel more relaxed.
Having cat trees in separate rooms of the house is great, but even just one tree in a designated area is a gift for your cat that will pay itself off in so many ways. Giving the cat his own play area will keep him intrigued and engaged in a proper manner, saving the delicate items and dishes you’ve placed on shelves throughout the home. This also means he’ll be less likely to get bored and start looking for trouble to get into, and will keep himself occupied when you can’t. And the vertical exercise will help keep his weight down, your veterinary bills low, and your number of years together high.
Cat Scratching Post Options
Purchasing a cat scratching post is a must if you want to save your furniture, flooring, walls, curtains and patience from being tattered and snagged beyond salvation. Cats scratch surfaces in order to keep their claws clean, sharp and in good condition. The act of scratching also stretches and exercises certain muscle groups in the legs and shoulders. Because it is a natural and healthy activity, cats should not be stopped from scratching, but rather encouraged to scratch in a specific place.
Teaching your cat to use a scratching post is fairly simple, although we all know how stubborn cats can be! Luckily, most cat scratching posts are designed to be great places for cats to scratch, made out of sisal, carpet or other materials which are ideal for cats to use to keep their claws trimmed. Once in your home, you will probably find that your cat is naturally drawn to exploring and then scratching the post. If you do find your cat scratching anywhere other than on his post, tell him “No” and clap once loudly to startle him into stopping.
Because scratching also stretches and tones a cat´s legs, many cats like to have a few scratching areas where they can stand in different positions. This is where a larger, more elaborate cat scratching post comes in useful, as it allows your cat to explore various positions. From basic sisal mats to place on the floor or mount on the wall, to a standard scratching post on a base, to multi-level trees and activity centres, cat scratching posts come in a huge range of sizes and shapes, and can incorporate several scratching areas, toys, hiding places and places to chill out and relax.
Think about where your cat currently scratches, and try to replicate the surface, position and angle of his favourite scratching place as closely as possible to make the transition to a new scratching post as trouble free as possible. Take some time to browse through all of your options to find the perfect fit for your cat.
Cat Activity Centre
Cats love to climb, claw and caper around in their environment. They are never happier than when they have somewhere great to explore, except maybe when they have somewhere great to sleep! A cat activity centre is an ideal addition to any home where cats are kept, as it provides them with a multitude of areas to keep them happy and entertained.
Cat activity centres are usually designed with several levels, allowing your cat to jump, climb and explore. Higher levels offer a place for your cat to sit and watch the world go by, satisfying the nosy parker that lives inside most cats!
Tunnels are also a feature of many cat activity centres. These may be soft and ideal for your cat to rustle around in, or structured, letting your cat try out his climbing skills. Both types of tunnels provide exercise and amusement for your cat.
If your cat likes to find cosy spaces to curl up in, then look for a cat activity centre that includes a cubby hole designed to give your cat his own private space to sleep and rest away from the stresses of the world.
Most cat activity centres are made of sisal or carpet, which provides a complex scratching post for your cat. Cats are naturally curious creatures so there shouldn´t be any trouble in encouraging your pet to play in his new adventure area. The fact that he is allowed to scratch this new piece of furniture to his heart´s content will only make it even more appealing!
Try to choose a cat activity centre that will suit your cat. If he likes to spend time perched in high places, then look for a cat activity centre that has some high levels. If he loves to play with toys, pick a cat activity centre that has some dangling play elements built in. Or if he just likes to laze around, choose a cat activity centre that offers him a nice cosy place to sleep. With so many varieties to choose from you are bound to find a cat activity centre that is perfect for your pet.
