How to choose cat furniture for your home

Cat furniture works best when it gives your companion places they want to use. A comfortable perch, a scratching surface and a quiet hideaway can each serve a different purpose. Choose around those habits, then make sure the piece suits the space you have.

Start with the way your cat spends the day

Notice whether your cat likes high viewpoints, enclosed spaces, broad lounging surfaces or vertical scratching posts. Compare platform dimensions and hideaway openings with your cat's size. In a home with several cats, consider whether they can reach and leave the resting spaces without crowding one another.

Measure the whole footprint

For a freestanding tree, compare height, base dimensions and the space taken up by any extending platforms. Check the manufacturer's stated weight limits and assembly instructions. A tall piece needs an appropriate location and any anchoring the manufacturer requires.

For wall furniture, plan the route between shelves as well as the dimensions of each shelf. Installation requirements depend on the product and wall construction. Follow the supplied instructions for mounting points, hardware, wall type and weight capacity; ask a qualified installer when the wall or mounting method is unclear.

Compare surfaces and care

Read which materials are used for scratching, lounging and the structural parts. Look for care instructions and whether pads or scratching components can be replaced. Product photographs help you compare the finish with your room, but check the written dimensions before deciding.

Give new furniture time to become familiar

Place it near an area your cat already enjoys when the product and installation allow. Let your cat explore without forcing them onto it. Inspect the furniture and its fastenings regularly and follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.

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