2011 June | The Cat eShack

Tree House Scratcher Cat

Posted June 30, 2011 By admin and has no comments yet.

Tree House Scratcher cat

A Dozen Key Points on How to Enrich Your Cat’s Indoor Environment

To read Dr. Ko’s article on the www.catdoctorko.com website, click here.

How can you ensure that your cat lives a happy, enriched indoor life? By implementing the following steps! Physical health is not the only important aspect of taking good care of your cat; mental well-being is just as essential to providing your cat with a long, rich, fulfilling life.

Indoor cats do not have the same opportunities as outdoor cats do to express their natural instinctive behaviours and experience the same sensory stimuli: hunting, lying hidden underneath the boughs of a tree, listening to the sounds of nature, scratching tree trunks, perching atop branches, marking and defending territory, mating, and so forth.

The main goal of environmental enrichment is to provide indoor cats with surrogate activities and sistuations that serve as enjoyable outlets for their natural behaviours. As cat owners we derive endless pleasure from the relationships we enjoy with out felines. In return it is our duty to ensure that our kitties also benefit from their domestic lifestyles, not just vice versa. And not just in regard to physical well-being (of which there are many benefits for cats). Despite the fact that their worlds are limited to single households, there are still a plethora of ways with which indoor cats may be kept active, engaged, and mentally stimulated.

► Rotate the toys that are available to your cat every week, keeping most of them in an inaccessible cupboard.

Cats become quickly bored with toys once they are no longer novel, so by rotating toys so that they only see each individual toy once every four to five weeks, the toys become like new again and again!

► Many cats love indulging in catnip toys.

Many catnip toys lose their ‘nip after a period of time, so the best ones are refillable catnip toys.
You can also ‘marinate’ regular cat toys in jars or containers of catnip and then give them to your cat for his or her enjoyment!
It is also possible to grow your own catnip plants, and it is not difficult to do. You simply harvest some of the catnip periodically, dry it out, crumble it, place it into a container, and stuff it into refillable catnip toys.

► Spend five to ten minutes gently grooming your cat every day.

Cats often mutually groom one another, and it is an important bonding behaviour.
Start by gently brushing under your cat’s chin, then its cheeks, and then move to the rest of the body. This will be a relaxing experience for both you and your cat, and will also help decrease the amount of hair that will be shed around the home.

► Place self groomers around the most feline frequented corners of your home – cats love these, and will rub up against them more times over the course of a day than you can count!

► Training your cat

Cats can easily learn a variety of tricks such as ‘sit,’ ‘shake paw,’ ‘come’ and many others, and it provides them with excellent mental stimulation to learn these tricks.
Your cat will also benefit from the added social interaction time with you, along with the positive rewards and attention lavished on them for properly responding to commands.
Use only positive reinforcement to teach your cat the desired behaviours, never ever punish your cat with physical or verbal negative interactions.

► Have cat trees available in more than one room of your house.

Cats enjoy having perches of varying height
Felines are naturally a semi-arboreal species, so providing ‘cat trees’ is truly providing them with what they would naturally enjoy doing outdoors
Cats revel in being able to sit and observe situations, and feel that they are at a safe height
Having multiple cat trees with high perches is particularly important in a multiple cat household – cats will get along much better with one another when they have the readily available option to withdraw from the company of their fellow housemates

► Window seats

Similar to how it is important to provide cats with observational perches within the home to observe household happenings, it is just as important to ensure that your cat is able to enjoy the outdoors from a safe place; in other words, cats should have easily accessible window ledges from which they can observe the outdoors on a daily basis.
If window ledges are too narrow for your cat to be able to comfortably sit on them, you can strategically place furniture (such as shelving) around your home so that they have a seat available to them.
You can also purchase cat window seats that you can easily install yourself – they are inexpensive and very effective!
Open your windows to provide your cat with fresh air and unimpeded sounds from the outdoors – just be certain that your window screens are secure and strong before doing so!
Even if you are not planning to enjoy downtime in a particular room, remember to raise the window shades anyhow, so that your kitty can enjoy the view.

► Consider providing safe ways for your cat to enjoy the outdoors

There are many websites that allow you to build safe, esthetically pleasing outdoor cat enclosures, that work for both houses and apartments – the following links are just a few of many such sites:
Cat Fence: Purrfect Cat Enclosures and Cat Fences (www.purrfectfence.com/)
Habitat Haven, The Cat’s Den, Outdoor Cat Enclosures (www.habitathaven.com)
Harness and leash walking allows provides fresh air and exercise for the both of you
- This is one of my personal favourites; it never fails to generate funny looks from people, and it never ceases to make me smile when my Freddy asks me for walks at the doorway ro when he comes running excitedly at the sound of his harness jingling!
Cats actually do quite well with leash walking when a body harness is used, rather than a collar and leash, particularly if harness and leash training is started in kittenhood
You can also purchase pet strollers that have a fine mesh and allow cats to be walked by you while enjoying the scenery and feeling safely enclosed in their stroller

► Playmates for your cat

Although it is easiest to ensure that cats will get along well together when they are raised together from an early age, it is still possible to introduce adult cats to one another, or to introduce a kitten to an adult cat.
Unfortunately, even when kittens are raised together, there is never any guarantee that they will sustain a good relationship throughout their lives – cat relationships are quite volatile and are subject to change from seemingly small events and influences.
That said, many cats do get along quite well together, and there are lots of ways you can help ensure a healthy relationship between housemates. Having a playmate helps provide social interaction and affection for your cats when you are at work or out of the home, is a constant play resource, and cats in multiple cat households often get more exercise as well.

► Puzzle feeders and facilitating food foraging and predatory behaviours.

Do NOT free feed your cat (have food constantly available in a bowl), because this makes food boring and facilitates obesity. Obesity will greatly decrease your cat’s quality of life.
Leaving a small quantity of healthy treats (e.g. freeze-dried chicken) available in puzzle feeders while away from home during the day, and when in bed overnight – this allows for small feedings at your cat’s leisure and will encourage natural foraging/hunting behaviours and exercise. Puzzle feeders are also mentally stimulating.
Another method of having your cat work for their food and which will simulate foraging, is to hide treats around the home that they can spend time searching out through the day.
Also, toss treats across a room or down a hallway so that it becomes a game and your cat can chase and pounce on them is another great way to simulate hunting behaviour inside your home.

► Have scratching posts available in the rooms most frequented by your cat

Scratching is a normal cat behaviour, and having scratching posts that your cat thoroughly enjoys greatly enhances the pleasure derived from his or her daily routine.
Incline: Some cats prefer a vertical scratching surface, others prefer horizontal, and yet others are partial to a gentle incline.
Substrate: Some cats prefer rope, others carpeting, and some prefer simple $10 cardboard cat scratchers (which, incidentally, are available as flat, horizontal surfaces, and also as ramps of varying inclines)!
Also,remember that not all carpets are made equal … soft, low quality carpet does not provide good durability, and most cats prefer tougher, higher quality carpeting that they can really dig their claws into.
Stability: A solid, wide base is paramount to having a sturdy cat scratching post.

► Daily routines and predictability

Cats are very much creatures of habit, and having certain key routines in their lives helps to provide them with a sense of security.
Events that should have predictability to them include key feeding times, cleaning the litter box(es), grooming your cat, and playing time.
On the flip side of that, it is also important to provide small novelties in their routine as well, to prevent life from becoming boring – these can include a new type of treat, a new cardboard box in the living room to play with, a brand-new toy, or some unexpected cuddle time.

► Avoid disruptive events and sudden changes in your cat’s environment

Routinely creating small changes to their environment allows your cat to develop coping mechanisms to deal with change, so that when real change arrives they are not entirely without the skills to deal with it.
Make significant changes incrementally to avoid high levels of stress
For example, if you are moving to a new home, maintain all of your cat’s routines as strictly as possible with regards to feeding times, grooming time, etc., and introduce your cat to its new environment slowly.
Start by allowing your cat to live in one room of the home, and provide lots of familiar items to help your cat acclimatize to this new territory. Next, expose your cat to an entire floor of the new home, and then eventually allow your cat to explore the entire house.

If you implement these methods of environmental enrichment for your cat, you should have a content, sociable feline that relishes every minute of every day (of which he or she is awake!). For further reading on this topic, visit ”The Indoor Cat Initiative” (now called The Indoor Pet Initiative since its expansion to include other species), a wonderful website created by the veterinary college of Ohio State University.

The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat’s health should be discussed with your veterinarian. © 2011 K & J Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Dr. Koharik Arman “Dr. Ko” - Licensed Veterinarian

Dr. Ko is a cat lover! Although she is trained in all areas of veterinary medicine, she has sought out a professional career that allows her to work exclusively with felines.

While in school, Dr. Ko was a Deans Honor List Student throughout the four years of her undergraduate BSc (Bachelor of Science in Biology) degree at the University of New Brunswick, and the four years during which she completed her DVM (Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine) degree at the Atlantic Veterinary College in beautiful Prince Edward Island. Dr. Ko earned many scholarships in the course of her post-graduate education, including the Bayer Companion Animal Veterinary Medicine Award. She also published an article she wrote while still a student in a medical journal, the CVJ (Canadian Veterinary Journal), in 2007.

A licensed veterinarian who works exclusively with cats, Dr. Ko is a member of the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practicioners), the CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Assocation), VIN (the Veterinary Information Network), and is also a certified NEW (Nuclear Energy Worker).

Dr. Ko continues to split her time between working in private practice at two different feline veterinary clinics, as well as writing and publishing articles on animal wellness and welfare, and, of course, dedicating herself to the continued development and expansion of the www.catdoctorko.com website and its community of cat lovers.

Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventative medicine and educating cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal which was the motivation for the creation of the Dr. Ko website. She continues to be an advocate for the humane treatment of all animals, and of course, the health and wellness of cats everywhere!

Armarkat Cat Tree Condo Scratcher

$135

Give your cats a place to play with the Amarkat cat tree house condo and scratcherIvory faux fleece-covered pet toy includes ramp and holds up to 80 poundsPet furniture is made of plywood and easy to assembleModel No.: B7701Post diameter: 3.5 inchesOverall dimensions: 36 inches long x 31 inches wide x 77 inches highPerch dimensions: 14 x 14 inches Base dimensions: 26 x 24 inches House dimensions: 20 x 14 x 13 inches and 14 x 14 x 13Step-by-step instructions included

Huge Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Furniture

$137.04

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a ladder and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BeigeOverall size: 50 inches wide x 16 inches long x 92-106 inches highTop pole is adjustable and can be attached to the ceilingBase board size: 28 inches wide x 16 inches longCondo house size:15.5 inches wide x 15.5 inches long x 12 inches highBasket size: 12 inches wide x 12 inches longLadders: Three (3)Ropes: Two (2)Posts: 18Levels: 18Posts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering material: Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included

Cat Tree Furniture Scratcher 28-inches

$45.04

This cat tree is easy to assemble and comes in a vibrant leopard print in faux fur. This item features a rotating post and a condo like feel for your cat. Color: LeopardSize: 18 inches wide x 17.5 inches long x 28 inches highSize of round house: 10 inches in diameter x 12 inches longTwo hanging balls includedFront Bottom post can rotate Posts covered by natural sisal ropeBoard covering material : Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble with step by step instruction and tools includedModel number: F12

Condo House Scratcher 72-inch Cat Tree Furniture

$136.04

Your cat will enjoy this durable leopard print cat tree and bed furniture. With a ramp and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: LeopardOverall size: 50 inches wide x 26 inches long x 72 inches highBase Board Size: 28 inches wide x 24 inches longCondo #1: 20 inches wide x 15 inches long x 11.5 inches highCondo #2: 15 inches wide x 12 inches long x 10 inches highPerch size: 13.5 inches wide x 13.5 inches long x 2.5 inches highPosts: 10Levels: 15Posts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering material: Faux furBoard material size: Pressed woodEasy to assembleStep by step instruction and tools included

Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher 62-inch Furniture

$87.04

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a hanging bed and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BeigeOverall size: 36 inches wide x 20 inches long x 62 inches highBase board size: 26 inches wide x 20 inches longCondo size: 10.5 inches wide x 12 inches highTop perch size: 14 inches wide x 14 inches long x 2 inches highRope: OnePosts: SevenLevels: EightPosts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering material: Faux FurBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included

Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher 70-inch Furniture

$131.23

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a ramp scratching board and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BeigeOverall size: 38 inches wide x 26 inches long x 70 inches highBase board size: 24 inches wide x 24 inches longRamp scratching board size: 10 inches wide x 25 inches long (sisal fabric)Top bed size: 15 inches in diameter x 4 inches highCondo size: 14 inches wide x 14 inches long x 10 inches highPosts: 11Levels: EightPosts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering material: Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included

Cat Tree House Scratcher 70-inch Furniture

$116.04

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a hanging bed and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BlackOverall size : 38 inches wide x 26 inches long x 70 inches highBase board size: 24 inches wide x 24 inches longRamp scratching board size: 10 inches wide x 25 inches long (sisal fabric)Top bed size: 15 inches in diameter x 4 inches highCondo size: 14 inches wide x 14 inches long x 10 inches highPosts: 11Levels: EightPosts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering material: Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included

Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher 72-inch Furniture

$115.04

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a hanging toy and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BeigeOverall size: 53 inches wide x 22 inches long x 72 inches highBase board size: 24 inches wide x 22 inches longCondo size: 21 inches wide x 16 inches long x 12 inches highPerch size: 15 inches wide x 15 inches long x 2.5 inches highPosts: 11Levels: NinePost cover material: Natural sisalCovering material: Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assembleStep-by-step instruction and tools included

Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Condo and Scratcher

$75.99

Give your cats a place to play with the Armarkat cat tree pet condo and scratcherSky blue faux fleece pet toy holds maximum weight of 30 poundsPet furniture is made of pressed wood and easy to assembleModel No.: B3803Post diameter: 3.5 inchesOverall dimensions: 31 inches long x 20 inches wide x 38 inches highBase dimensions: 24 x 20 inchesHouse dimensions: 12 inches long x 8 inches wide x 10 inches high Step-by-step instructions included

Armarkat 65-inch Cat Tree Condo and Scratcher

$84.04

Give your cats a place to play with the Armarkat cat tree condo and scratcherSky blue faux fleece-covered pet toy includes hanging tunnel and holds up to 40 poundsPet furniture is made of pressed wood and easy to assemblePost diameter: 3.5 inchesOverall dimensions: 38 inches (L) x 24 inches (W) x 66 inches (H) Perch dimensions: 12 x 10 inches Base dimensions: 22 x 22 inches House dimensions: 12 x 12 inchesStep-by-step instructions includedModel number B6605

Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher 80-inch Furniture

$143.99

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With mulitple levels and condos (rooms) and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BeigeOverall Size: 45 inches wide x 30 inches long x 80 inches highBase board size: 24 inches wide x 24 inches longBig condo size: 16 inches wide x 16 inches long x 14 inches highSmall condo size: 12 inches wide x 10 inches highBasket size: 12 inches wideTop paw perch size: 14 inches wide x 16 inches long x 3 inches highTop round perch: 14 inches wide x 3 inches highTop perch: 13 inches wide x 13 inches longHanging rope: OneHanging toys: ThreePosts: 13Levels: 13Posts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering material: Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included

GoPetClub 65-inch Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher

$93.99

This Durable Quality Cat Tree offers a wealth of fun activities for your cats with plenty of places for scratching, climbing, jumping, playing and even sleeping or lounging.Color: BeigeNumber of Rope: 1Number of Posts: Posts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering Material: Faux FurBoard Material: Pressed WoodOverall Size: 25 inches wide x 27 inches long x 65 inches high Base Board Size: 24 inches wide x 24 inches long Size of Condo: 13inches wide x 13 inches long x 11 inches high Size of Top Perch: 13inches wide x 12 inches long x 2.5 inches high Model: F45Assembly required

Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher

$96.99

Your pet will love this cat scratcher pet furnitureDurable wooden pet furniturePet furniture covered by stylish faux fur materialModel Number: A6601Covering Material: Faux furCovering Color: Saddle brown with white paw printBoard Material: Pressed woodPost Diameter: 3.5 inchesOverall Dimensions: 35 (L) x 20 (W) x 66 inches (H)Base Dimensions: 24 x 18 inchesHouse Dimensions: 14 (W) x12 inches (H)Perch Dimensions: 14 inchesEasy to assemble with step by step instructionMax Holding Weight: 50 pounds

Cat Tree Condo Scratcher 28-inch Furniture

$114.7

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a hanging bed and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BeigeSize: 18 inches wide x 17.5 inches long x 28 inches highRound house size: 10 inches deep x 12 inches longTwo Hanging balls included(Front) Bottom post can turnPosts covered by natural sisal ropeBoard covering material: Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included

Go Pet Club Cat Tree Condo House 54-inch Scratcher

$89.04

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a hanging ball and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.Color: BeigeOverall size: 21 inches wide x 24inches long x 54 inches highBase board size: 20 inches wide x 24 inches longCondo house size: 20 inches wide x 14 inches long x 11 inches highTop bed size: 12.5 inches diameter x 2.5 inches highHanging ball (The hanging ball will make sound when cat scratch it)Posts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering Material: High-pile plushBoard Material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included

GoPetClub Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher 38-inch Furniture

$69.5

This durable cat tree offers fun activities for your cats with plenty of places for scratching, climbing, jumping, playing, and even sleeping or lounging. This cat furniture features eight levels, eight posts, and condo and basket for your furry friend.Color: BeigeNumber of rope: One (1)Number of posts: Eight (8)Number of levels: Eight (8)Covering material: Faux fur, natural sisal ropeBoard material: Presse woodEasy to assembleIncludes step-by-step instruction and tools Overall size: 33 inches wide x 18 inches long x 38 inches highBase board size: 21.5 inches wide x 12 inches longCondo size: 16 inches wide x 11.5 inches highBasket size: 12 inches wide x 12 inches longTop perch size: 17.5 inches wide x 11.5 inches longImported

GoPetClub Huge Cat Tree House Scratcher 106-inch Furniture

$238.09

This cat tower is huge and durable, offering a wealth of fun activities for your cats with plenty of places for scratching, climbing, jumping, playing and even sleeping or lounging.Color: Beige Covering Material : Faux FurBoard Material: Pressed woodOverall Size: 48 inches wide x 18 inches long x 92-106 inches high Base: 30 inches wide x 18 inches longTop pole is adjustable and can be attached to the ceilingTwo houses each measure 25 inches wide x 13 inches long x 10 inches highTwo baskets each measure 12 inches wide x 12 inches longCradles measure 8.5 inches wide x 7.5 inches long x 8.5 inches highFeatures two (2) ladders, two (2) ropes, 15 sisal-rope-covered posts and has 25 levelsAssembly Required

Go Pet Club 64-inch Cat Tree Condo Scratcher

$70.99

The Go Pet Club Cat Tree Furniture is designed with quality durable wood and thick faux fur material perfect for scratching. This cat condo and house includes step-by-step instructions and tools for easy assembly. Color: BeigeNumber of rope: OneNumber of posts: FiveNumber of levels: EightPosts covered by natural sisal ropeCovering material: Faux furBoard material: Pressed woodEasy to assemble Step-by-step instruction and tools included Overall dimensions: 38 inches wide x 28 inches long x 64 inches highBase board dimensions: 29 inches wide x 15 inches longTop basket dimensions: 14 inches wide x 14 inches highHouse dimensions: 19.5 inches wide x 15 inches long x 10 inches highImportedAssembly required

GoPetClub Scratcher and 45-inch Cat Tree

$62.04

This quality cat tree offers a wealth of fun activities for your cats with plenty of places for scratching, climbing, jumping, playing and even sleeping or lounging.One 2-level stairwayOne hanging ropePosts covered by natural sisal ropeFour levelsFive scratching postsFaux fur coveringMaterials: Pressed woodEasy to assemble with step by step instruction and tools includedColor option: BeigeCondo measures 14 inches wide x 14 inches long x 13 inches highTop bed measures 14 inches in diameterTree measures 17.5 inches wide x 17.5 inches long x 45 inches highModel number F04Assembly required

GoPetClub Huge Cat Tree House Scratcher 106-inch Furniture

$142.04

This cat tower is huge and durable, offering a wealth of fun activities for your cats with plenty of places for scratching, climbing, jumping, playing and even sleeping or lounging.

Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher 72-inch Furniture

$124.99

With ladders and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat will enjoy this collosal deluxe ‘condo.’ Your cat will be able to lounge and play for hours courtesy of the furniture’s total of 10 posts and 15 levels.

Condo House Scratcher 72-inch Cat Tree Furniture

$138.99

Your cat will enjoy this durable leopard print cat tree and bed furniture. With a ramp and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.

Go Pet Club Cat Tree Condo House 54-inch Scratcher

$86.04

Your cat will enjoy this durable cat tree and bed furniture. With a hanging ball and scratch posts covered with natural sisal rope, your cat can lounge and play in this cat furniture for hours.

New Cat Condos Large Cat Pagodas Tree

$121.99

The Large Cat Pagodas Tree is the big brother to the ever so popular Mini Pagoda. This pagoda features many perches, a house on top, and a convenient replaceable scratch pad to keep your cat’s nails healthy.

Go Pet Club Condo HOuse Cat Tree Pet Furniture

$117.04

Your cats are sure to enjoy this durable Cat Tree furniture from Go Pet Club. The pet furniture features a hanging toy and scratch posts to keep cats entertained.

GoPetClub 48-inch Cat Tree House

$80.04

This 48-inch cat condo is great place for your cat to live a scratch. This pet condo features a ladder, hammock, and a scratching post.

Go Pet Club 78-inch Condo House Cat Tree Furniture

$120.99

Your cat is sure to enjoy this durable Cat Tree furniture from Go Pet Club. The pet furniture features multiple levels and condo rooms with scratch posts.

Categories: Cats