Bringing a Cat Home: A Renovation Proposal for Cat-Friendly Living [4]

KEY1 Basic ——Fundamentals of a Cat-Friendly Home · Part 3

Clarifying Goals and Needs to Find the Most Comfortable Way for Humans and Cats to Coexist

The term “cat furniture” refers to various items used for a cat’s daily living, including litter houses, cat trees, grooming boxes, scratching posts, food bowl stands, cat stairs, cat bridges, and more. Among these, cat trees can be further divided into open-style and enclosed-style (also known as cat cabinets). How should one decide between the two? Osborn, the person in charge of MOMOCAT, suggests that homeowners should first consider the intended purpose of use. Based on the needs of the home and the available space, they should decide on the form of the cat furniture, and then further consider details like the number and size of the cat trees, and whether to integrate them with a litter house.

Ensuring the Mobility of Cat Furniture and Avoiding Excessive Fixed Fixtures

As the number of households with cats continues to rise, Osborn suggests that homeowners should clarify the design goals before planning the cat-friendly spaces. For example, with cat cabinets, it’s important to first understand the motivations and needs for having one, as well as whether the available space allows for it. He says:

“When considering a cat cabinet, it’s crucial to appropriately isolate the cat, but whether or not a cat cabinet is needed should depend on the situation. If a cat enjoys freedom and you simply want to provide it with a resting space, a simple cat tree is sufficient. A cat cabinet should only be an auxiliary tool with the purpose of protecting the cat. If it’s used to confine the cat, that would be counterproductive and could create more cleaning issues, which would be a waste.”

Additionally, it’s recommended to choose movable furniture rather than fixed installations. Cat furniture often has to deal with cat fur, bodily fluids, and vomit, which can easily cause messes and damage. If fixed furniture is used, it’s difficult and inconvenient to replace or clean. On the other hand, movable furniture allows for easy cleaning and replacement as needed, and it also offers flexibility for future changes, such as moving, increasing the number of cats, selling the furniture after a cat passes away, or selling the house.

· Ease of Home Maintenance and Cleanliness Should Be the Primary Consideration

The biggest difference between cat furniture and regular furniture lies in the specific needs. In addition to considering the cat’s behavior and preferences, it is equally important to make sure that the furniture is easy for the owner to clean and maintain. The design doesn’t need to be overly complicated; the focus should be on providing a space where cats like to spend time, such as by the window or next to the sofa.

As for the dream cat bridge that many pet owners envision, although it can enrich the space’s layers, it’s difficult to clean. Unless the owner is committed to cleaning it daily, it can easily become a breeding ground for dust, dirt, and bacteria.

· Customizing Adjustments Based on Your Cat’s Personality

A cat tree is composed of accessories such as cat houses, scratching boards, scratching posts, and cat platforms. In addition to considering the ergonomic movement paths for the cat, the design should also take into account the owner’s care methods and the personality differences of the cats. For example, some cats may be more shy, so the openings of the cat house should not be too numerous, allowing them a more private hiding space.

In multi-cat households, it’s important to consider how the cats interact with each other. Since some cats have strong territorial instincts, it’s advisable to design the cat cabinet with partitions to create a sense of space, and even plan individual feeding areas to separate meals. This allows each cat to find its own suitable spot. Additionally, many cats enjoy chasing each other, so it’s recommended that cat houses have at least two exits, allowing them to enter and exit from different sides, making playtime more enjoyable without the fear of being trapped.