I am moving to a new place and may need to convert my two indoor-outdoor cats into indoor cats only. I am thinking of getting them a cat condo and cat tree and some toys to make their indoor life interesting. But will this work? Anyone with experience on cat condo and cat trees out there? I'd hate to invest hundreds of dollars on something that will not interest my cats whatever - know you understand.
2006-07-05 01:49:59 · 12 answers · asked by Phoebhart 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
OH MY God yes do cats love trees and condos. When I brought the cat tree home, Lucy C. Tabby (my cat's full name) jumped up on it before we had decided where to put it. It was in the middle of the living room and we moved it to the side in front of a window with her on it. She sleeps on top of it, most nights. It has also stopped upholstery assassination for the most part. Her attitude seems to be "Scratch your boring furniture when I have this?"
You do not need to spend all that much money. Look around the big pet superstores and this place
www.drsfostersmith.com/ for ideas about design. Then grab some lumber and some nails and some carpet scrap and build your own. Put the words "cat tree" into Google and all kinds of ideas come up. A friend of mine bought a small wooden stepladder (three steps) at a garage sale and stapled carpet scraps to the steps and and top and wound sisal rope around the legs. Worked for as a scratch post and the cat sits on top and watches the bird feeder. (Cat does not go out)
2006-07-05 03:47:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 1⤋
I just did the same thing. I moved to the city and my indoor/outdoor can is now inside all the time and is doing great. As far as the condos and towers, she loves the tower, but hates the condo. My cat has never been interested in getting into bags or boxes, so I guess that has something to do with her lack of interest in the condo. I think your cat will at least like one or the other. Go to e-bay and look up cat furniture and find any made by "Armarkat" and you can get a condo/tower for around $5 and the shipping is very reasonable. They are new and much nicer and cheaper than any you will find in the store. I spent about $50 on mine.
2006-07-05 05:01:14 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats love them, some don't. Try making the condo more interesting for them, like place it by the window, so they have something to perch on while watching the birds. Or, try placing their favorite food inside of it, maybe they'll eat there, and come to find that it's a comfortable and relaxing place to sleep. Be creative, because, curiosity killed the cat, (I sure hope not though).
2006-07-05 04:58:46 · answer #3 · answered by Cartman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree it would be cheaper to buy one, unless you have free access to the materials. A landscape timber makes a good post, cover it with rope or carpet. Use a bucket from something like detergent or litter and cut off the ends, then carpet it inside and out with remnants or an old throw rug. and fasten the tube securely to the top of the post, by placing it on it's side and drilling a small hole through then run a good sized screw with a washer through the hole and into the top of the post. Use a heavy piece of plywood or some 1 x 6's for the base. You can drill a hole in the bucket and attach a piece of beaded chain or twine with a cat toy tied to one end and let it dangle about 1/2 way from the floor. You can elaborate on this as much as you want and end up with a whole cat forest. Hint: to really get your kittens into it, it may help to rub the whole thing down with one of your unlaundered (dirty) sweaters to get your scent all over it.
2016-03-27 04:39:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We bought a mid size cat condo for our cats (we have 4) and they absolutely love it. We have it in front of a window so that they can look outside and they playfully fight over who gets the top perch. They also use the scratching post parts of it. It was a solid investment and it really did not cost that much. We bought ours at Petsmart and I think it was about $129.
2006-07-05 05:15:43 · answer #5 · answered by sufistaci 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, it's great you are getting them inside away from all the dangers and diseases out there. Second, most cats love the condos and trees. Mine sure do. Although when we first brought them in it took a few days for the cats to get brave enough to check them out. A strange thing in their environment freaks them out at first. Start small, get a small more inexpensive one first. When you see how they take to it you can decide if you want to 'upgrade' later. Also, get them a catnip plant. I have one growing in a pot on my back porch. 2-3 times a week I bring it in and set it on the floor for the cats for 15-20. They eat a few leaves, sniff the plant and all is well. If you need tips on how to get kitty to prefer the post just let me know!
2006-07-05 02:27:19 · answer #6 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have 3 cats and 2 cat towers. My cats love them especially one of the cats. He sleeps in it and plays on it all the time. I have it in front of a window so they have something to look at, although if you are trying to break them of going out you might want to locate it somewhere else. It is really hard to break a cat of the intrest of going outside.
2006-07-05 01:57:56 · answer #7 · answered by shelley h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they will love them. It'll be hard to keep them in, but worth it. Get toys too. They like ping pong balls in the (no water) bathtub to bat around. Make sure they have a window to look of at the outside world.
2006-07-05 02:16:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! My cat loves his cat condo its his hiding place when there are storms and its his nail sharpener. ;)
2006-07-05 01:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
and our cat loves the turbo scratcher, available at k-mart for under $20. it looks stupid but the cat loves it
2006-07-05 03:42:42 · answer #10 · answered by Library Eyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋