Cat tree

Last updated
Cat tree with carpeted perches, ramps and boxes, and sisal-wrapped posts Homemade cat tree.jpg
Cat tree with carpeted perches, ramps and boxes, and sisal-wrapped posts

A cat tree (also referred to as a cat tree house, cat condo, kitty condo, cat stand, cat post, catbox, or cat tower) is an artificial structure for a cat to play, exercise, relax and sleep on. [1] [2]

Cat trees vary in height and complexity, with most cats preferring features offering height [1] over comfort, particularly if tall enough to allow a clear survey of their territory. Some cats prefer options which offer shelter or a secluded escape, [1] which may be at any height of the structure.

Conventional cat tree designs are of a floor-based solid structure, composed of square-shaped sheets of particle board (as platforms, boxes and enclosed structures) combined with wooden studs and planks (used as elevators or stairs), with exteriors and interiors typically covered with carpet. [3] Elevators are also frequently covered with an abrasive materials (sisal rope being the most common), intended to induce cats to scratch in those areas and reduce overall wear of the structure. [1] The levels created by the layer of interactive features offer cats anything from bedding and shelter to exercise and play. [1]

Cat tree with enclosures Grumpy Cat in its Lookout Post (26310560423).jpg
Cat tree with enclosures

There are specialized alternatives to the traditional cat tree that offer improved function for cats. These alternative designs include wall-mounted pieces and sets, as well as ergonomic designs and geometries that contour to feline anatomy. Some designs simulate the shape or appearance of real trees. Soft textiles and heavyweight fabrics have also replaced abrasive carpet in some of the more luxury-themed designs. [3]

Cat trees are meant to offer cats a sense of security, by creating interactive areas that are only used by them. While cat trees can help to deter cats from scratching on other furniture, not every cat will react the same and cat owners have reported varied results in that regard. [1]

Modern designed Lotus Cat Tree Lotus-Espresso-Full-Final-window-a.jpg
Modern designed Lotus Cat Tree

Some companies are developing modern cat trees in stylish designs. [4] These cat trees combine the functions cats need, such as stepped platforms and height, with more visually appealing design such as exposed wood. This more modern cat furniture is constructed to match a home's décor. [5]

Related Research Articles

A noun is a word that generally functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taipei 101</span> Skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a skyscraper in the capital Taipei, Taiwan. It is owned by Taipei Financial Center Corporation. The building was officially classified as the world's tallest from its opening on 31 December 2004. However, the Burj Khalifa surpassed Taipei 101 in 2009. Upon completion, it became the world's first skyscraper to exceed a height of half a kilometer. As of 2023, Taipei 101 is the tallest building in Taiwan and the eleventh tallest building in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ostankino Tower</span> Radio and television tower in Moscow

Ostankino Tower is a television and radio tower in Moscow, Russia, owned by the Moscow branch of unitary enterprise Russian TV and Radio Broadcasting Network. Standing 540.1 metres (1,772 ft), it was designed by Nikolai Nikitin. As of 2022, it is the tallest free-standing structure in Europe and 12th tallest in the world. Between 1967 and 1974, it was the tallest in the world. The tower was the first free-standing structure to exceed 500 m (1,600 ft) in height. Ostankino was built to mark the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. It is named after the surrounding Ostankino district of Moscow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tree house</span> Above-ground platform or building in a tree

A tree house, tree fort or treeshed is a platform or building constructed around, next to or among the trunk or branches of one or more mature trees while above ground level. Tree houses can be used for recreation, work space, habitation, a hangout space and observation. People occasionally connect ladders or staircases to get up to the platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Litter box</span> Indoor pet feces and urine collection box

A litter box, also known as a sandbox, cat box, litter tray, cat pan, potty, pot or litter pan, is an indoor feces and urine collection box for cats, as well as rabbits, ferrets, miniature pigs, small dogs, and other pets that instinctively or through training will make use of such a repository. They are provided for pets that are permitted free roam of a home but who cannot or do not always go outside to excrete their metabolic waste.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scratching post</span>

A scratching post is a wooden post covered in rough material that cat owners provide so their pets have an acceptable place to scratch. Cats have a natural urge to scratch: the action helps them remove old material from their claws, and they mark territory with scent glands in their paws. Indoor cats may be prevented from exercising this urge on furniture if they are provided with an acceptable scratching post.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Footbridge</span> Bridge designed solely for pedestrians

A footbridge is a bridge designed solely for pedestrians. While the primary meaning for a bridge is a structure which links "two points at a height above the ground", a footbridge can also be a lower structure, such as a boardwalk, that enables pedestrians to cross wet, fragile, or marshy land. Bridges range from stepping stones–possibly the earliest man-made structure to "bridge" water–to elaborate steel structures. Another early bridge would have been simply a fallen tree. In some cases a footbridge can be both functional and artistic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Onychectomy</span> Surgical removal of an animals claws

Onychectomy, popularly known as declawing, is an operation to remove an animal's claws surgically by means of the amputation of all or part of the distal phalanges, or end bones, of the animal's toes. Because the claw develops from germinal tissue within the third phalanx, amputation of the bone is necessary to fully remove the claw. The terms onychectomy and declawing imply mere claw removal, but a more appropriate description would be phalangectomy, excision of toe bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Observation tower</span> Architectural structure

An observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision to conduct long distance observations. Observation towers are usually at least 20 metres (66 ft) tall and are made from stone, iron, and wood. Many modern towers are also used as TV towers, restaurants, or churches. The towers first appeared in the ancient world, as long ago as the Babylonian Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEG Plaza</span> Skyscraper in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

SEG Plaza is a skyscraper in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Completed in 2000 and located at the junction of Shennan Road and Huaqiangbei Electronics Market, it originally stood 356 metres (1,168 ft) tall including the height of the original antenna which has since been removed. It was the 21st tallest in China and the 72nd tallest in the world. The observation floor at the 69th level used to offer views over Shenzhen and northern Hong Kong but has been converted to office space. It is the home of, and named after the Shenzhen Electronics Group (SEG). It can be reached by Huaqiang North Station and Huaqiang Road Station of the Shenzhen Metro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. F. A. Voysey</span> British architect and designer (1857–1941)

Charles Francis Annesley Voysey was an English architect and furniture and textile designer. Voysey's early work was as a designer of wallpapers, fabrics and furnishings in a Arts and Crafts style and he made important contribution to the Modern Style, and was recognized by the seminal The Studio magazine. He is renowned as the architect of several country houses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tree shaping</span> Use of living trees to create structures and art

Tree shaping uses living trees and other woody plants as the medium to create structures and art. There are a few different methods used by the various artists to shape their trees, which share a common heritage with other artistic horticultural and agricultural practices, such as pleaching, bonsai, espalier, and topiary, and employing some similar techniques. Most artists use grafting to deliberately induce the inosculation of living trunks, branches, and roots, into artistic designs or functional structures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Rincon Hill</span> Upscale residential complex on the apex of Rincon Hill in San Francisco

One Rincon Hill is an upscale residential complex on the apex of Rincon Hill in San Francisco, California, United States. The complex, designed by Solomon, Cordwell, Buenz and Associates and developed by Urban West Associates, consists of two skyscrapers that share a common townhouse podium. It is part of the San Francisco Skyline and is visible from Mt. Diablo, Port of Oakland and San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tree hollow</span> Cavity in tree, often used as habitat

A tree hollow or tree hole is a semi-enclosed cavity which has naturally formed in the trunk or branch of a tree. They are found mainly in old trees, whether living or not. Hollows form in many species of trees, and are a prominent feature of natural forests and woodlands, and act as a resource or habitat for a number of vertebrate and invertebrate animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bus manufacturing</span> Manufacture of buses and coaches

Bus manufacturing, a sector of the automotive industry, manufactures buses and coaches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Non-rocket spacelaunch</span> Concepts for launch into space

Non-rocket spacelaunch refers to theoretical concepts for launch into space where much of the speed and altitude needed to achieve orbit is provided by a propulsion technique that is not subject to the limits of the rocket equation. Although all space launches to date have been rockets, a number of alternatives to rockets have been proposed. In some systems, such as a combination launch system, skyhook, rocket sled launch, rockoon, or air launch, a portion of the total delta-v may be provided, either directly or indirectly, by using rocket propulsion.

Living sculpture is any type of sculpture that is created with living, growing grasses, vines, plants or trees. It can be functional and/or ornamental. There are several different types of living sculpture techniques, including topiary, sod works, tree shaping and mowing and crop art. Most living sculpture technique requires horticultural skills, such as grafting or pruning, to create the art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat training</span>

Cat training is the process of modifying a domestic cat's behavior for entertainment or companionship purposes. Training is commonly used to reduce unwanted or problematic behaviors in domestic cats, to enhance interactions between humans and pet cats, and to allow them to coexist comfortably. There are various methods for training cats which employ different balances between reward and punishment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sendai Mediatheque</span> Library in Sendai, Japan

Sendai Mediatheque is a library in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It was designed by Toyo Ito in 1995 and completed in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human interaction with cats</span>

Hundreds of millions of cats are kept as pets around the world. Cats have either a mutualistic or commensal relationship with humans.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hotchner, Tracie (2007). The cat bible: Everything your cat expects you to know. New York: Gotham Books. pp. 94–96. ISBN   9781592403257.
  2. United States US3479990A,Frank L. Crow,"Cat tree"
  3. 1 2 Colin, Chris (11 October 2007). "Good Design, Happy Cats? (Published 2007)". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  4. Kaplan, Ilana. "How the "Cat Lady" Aesthetic Became Cool". Vogue. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  5. Feinkind, Josh (2021-02-26). "How to Catify Your Home When Space is Limited". Medium. Retrieved 2021-03-29.