Anyone ever order any cat furniture from the internet? I see a lot of web sites selling cat trees with all kinds of options, but I’d like to hear if anyone has any experience with specific companies out there.
I had my 5’ tall cat tree custom-made – at half the cost of buying one at a pet store. The guys is also quite a pro, to it’s much better quality than many I’ve seen. Mine had to be built so Fat One, who has no claws, could climb in as easily as Little One, who deos have claws. They abosultely LOVE it. (Little One does swinging, chimpanzee manoeuvres!)
I’d recommend getting one locally. You know excatly what you’re getting, you can inspect the craftmanship before you purchase, and there are no shipping fees. If you can find someone who is brilliantly handy with carpet and carpentry. You can also get something that is perfectly suited to your beast(s) and that matches your furniture.
NOTE: If you get a cat tree that has any kind of “house” or enclosed nest, be advised that if your cat goes in and decides to stay put (i.e. when it knows you want to take it to the vet) you will never get the critter out of its hidey-hole. If you get a house-like one, make sure the roof is removable so you can still catch the beast in case of emergency, illness, or bad-catness that requires discipline.
I like being able to see a finished product before I buy it, so I know it’s safe for the Two Stooges.
We have a Deluxe Regular from www.drsfostersmith.com, and our two kittens adore it. It goes from floor to ceiling, and is braced against the ceiling. Rhodium likes to climb to the very top (so her head is brushing the ceiling), while Cobalt is happy just to climb into the little “crow’s nest” near the top and sleep the day away. We have it next to a window, so there’s a good view from the platforms. They don’t care about the hanging ring or the mouse, though.
I’ve generally had good luck with Foster-Smith. If you’re ordering from them anyway, buy the interactive toy called “Da Bird,” and some extra feathers. I have yet to meet a cat that doesn’t go nuts over it. We were cat-sitting an obese 19-pounder (4 years old) last week, and he was running and jumping after it just like the kittens.
The trick to getting a cat out of the little house is to hold both forelegs in one hand, and to apply pressure to the butt with the other hand while pulling, until you get the shoulders out. Then lift normally.
I build my own. I just finished my second one, out of ABS pipe. covered with Sisal rope and some cool green carpet covered plywood platforms. I also made a sort of hammocky place about six feet up, the size and shape of a bathroom sink.
I did three “trunks”, cross connected with lots of branches that end with the platforms or bunches of 1/2 inch thick sisal rope pieces he can bat around. ABS is cool because there are lots of odd shaped fittings that let you go sort of nuts with the branches.
My girls call it “the Jungle”, which is the effect I was going for, and the cat loves it. It isn’t too expensive and it’s a great creative outlet, and an opportunity to get the kids involved in a fun project.
Well, www.drsfostersmith.com certainly looks cool.
The custom/do-it-yourself ideas are tempting, too. I fear my skills with woodworking though. Maybe I can sucker…I mean…ask a friend to help me out. I’ll have to think about that some.