When it comes to giving our cats top notch care – at least in this writer’s opinion – pampering and “spoiling” them ranks high on a kitty guardian’s job description.
But before you disagree and get your hackles up let me be perfectly clear; I am not referring to always giving into their desires; some of their requests may be neither safe nor appropriate for them.
For example: The heady aroma emanating from the kitchen, wafting the scent of chicken livers smothered in fried onions is sure to put any self-respecting feline into “stealth” mode. And as they start hunting for the treasured prize, their stance resembles a tigress stalking her unsuspecting prey. But granting their request to serve them up a dish of this mouth-watering ambrosia can potentially be extremely dangerous, since onions are toxic to kitties.
However on the other paw, it’s perfectly acceptable to offer them a delectable slice of broiled fish, or chicken. It is also a no-brainer to enhance their pleasure by giving them a taste of some fabulous freshly dried catnip.
Of course, it goes without saying that, in addition to feeding our cats a high quality nutritious diet, it is equally important to prevent them from getting bored. To keep our cats stimulated, content and happy, Cat Daddy, Jackson Galaxy advises providing our kitties with a “Catified” environment that includes a variety of objects designed to both keep them active and to also challenge those curious minds.
So what could be more enriching and delightful than providing our kitties with a well-crafted cat-tree? I am referring to one that is not only inviting and utilitarian, but one which would make any feline-loving interior decorator drool.
Have I piqued your interest in a way to spoil your kitties to the nth degree? It happens that just the other day while perusing my email, I found something that I truly believe is the purrfect solution. It is no doubt one that would make just about any cat think that he or she has just arrived in feline paradise.
This feline “playground” is the ultimate in luxury. While it is not yet available for sale in the United States, it is being sold throughout Europe. Designed by Kattens No1, this line of feline furniture is not only attractive eye candy for humans, it provides kitties with floor-to-ceiling intricate climbing capabilities that are made of high quality manufactured, sturdy material.
After I watched this fabulous video several times , I was so enchanted that you can bet your bottom dollar that should we never decide to do some serious home renovations, we will be certain to include in our blueprints a version that is similar to this “Catified” design.
For a real treat don’t miss this video uploaded to YouTube by Klaus Engberg.
Don’t you agree that this has to be the consummate amount of kitty-spoiling? Tell us what you think in a comment.
Jo
Photo: (found on Hauspanther.com)
P.S. See Ruth’s DIY cat run in the sky.
I think this is amazing I would love to have enough room to get this for our furries 🙂
Thanks. I’m considering a cat tree even though the last time we had one, neither of them went higher than the ground level. Rao is a senior DSH and Buster is 6-year-old Ragamuffin.I Just don’t see Rao suddenly becoming a climber
It’s beautiful and I agree that it’s the ultimate in cat spoiling.
Like many of you, I love it but don’t have the room for this. There is an issue you haven’t mentioned. Jackson Galaxy says there are two kinds of cats: tree-dwellers taking after panthers who stalk and sleep in trees) and ground-dwellers (taking after lions. Do all house-cats like to go up high? I’m not sure my cats would go for this. Wouldn’t you just hate to spend the money and energy and room, and then the kitties ignore it? It’s not like you just bought a case of cat food and they turned their little noses up at it and made kitty litter scratches over it.
Just a thought.
Rani
Hi Rani, with respect to Jackson, who I admire, I think he is confusing things.
To answer this question:
You have to refer to the wild cat species that is the ancestor of the domestic cat, namely the African wild cat also called the Near Eastern wildcat.
This cat is a ground hunter and dweller but a good climber and likes on occasions to climb trees etc.
So, the domestic is the same essentially. Providing access to vertical movement and space is important to enrich the cat’s environment.
Absolutely amazing! If I had the room, I would have something like this for our kitties. My husband would LOVE to build it for sure and for certain. 🙂
id love to be able to do for the cats here. esp when we not here. Thats why let my cats go outside and inside. We got a lovely bush area where there lots of trees. Its very quiet.
What lucky kitties they are. I think these owners are a little over the top, but hey, I am not judging.
Do you think though that the standard that the average cat caretaker sets is too low with respect to environmental enrichment? This sort of cat furniture should be the norm.
As I said, I am not judging. As long as people treat their animals with love, I am all for it.
I remember a story awhile ago where a kitty lover had built an incredible catification area around his entire house.
He had to move- so left his creation intact for the buyer. I do hope that the person who purchased his house has cats. He bought it – so it only goes to reason that may be the case.
Most definitely 🙂
I could have imagined this being the future up on our barn compound in the Mojave, if fortune had smiled on us. VERY nice cat-a-tat. All cats deserve something like this! Great for tree-dwellers and bush-dwellers, as Jackson Galaxy would say.
I have always thought that house builders should have an option when selling a new home off-plan: a catio like this so it is built into the house from the outset.
Great kitty furniture.I would love to do this for my kids. Ours are spoiled with an outside play area that is fenced and has a full roof. they love the logs to scratch on and the places to sleep. It is flanked by a stand of long needle pines so there are birds and critters to watch too. Yup they are spoiled. Thanks for the ideas. 🙂
It sounds great. I envy you (I mean your cats). It’s easier in the US. In London everything is too cramped and too expensive.
Me too, DW..
But there’s one thing that concerns me- how to keep it clean. Can you imagine trying to clean any kitty barf on the top levels? Still it is better than TV, IMHO!!
This is what you’ll need:
Ha! Michael, you are funny.
Wow! This is fantastic! I would never get anything done. I’d just sit and watch.
Ditto. But, I want to play up there too.
I wonder what the weight limit is.
I love it! What a wonderful adventure playground for cats, climbing to heights, exercising and having fun.
As close as you could get to cats having the freedom to do these things outdoors.
This is great I am going to look them up and see about buying some of this for my place! Thanks Jo! 🙂
I think every home where a cat lives should have this! That sounds extreme but it should be a standard especially as more and more cats are liable to be confined to house as the outside world become increasingly hostile for the cat.
Agree 1000% 😉
Thanks for this Jo. I think you are right when you say this quality of cat furniture is spoiling kitty. I would like to see it become normal and in everyday use.
Very few homes have this sort of gold standard cat environment. It is very difficult to create this in apartments. You need a house and a large conservatory of some sort (a catio). I think this is a luxury catio and I love it too.
You might be interested in visiting http://www.catioshowcase.com where there are multitudinous catios on display (our former ones among them) 😉
They are great. Thanks for showing me. One day I think I’ll create something like this. Perhaps the next place I buy I’ll build a gold standard cat environment so my cat or cats are totally equal to me in respect of the home.
I have forgotten your name so I can’t address you by name. Sorry.
jmuhj is fine 😉