Corner Cat Tree for Large Cats: Why My Three Cats Finally Left My Keyboard Alone
After I placed the cat climbing frame in the corner of the living room, the three cats finally stopped fighting over my keyboard.
If you have a cat at home, you have probably witnessed such a scene.
You had just sat down to start your work, the computer was turned on, and the coffee wasn't even hot yet -
The cat had already stepped on the keyboard.
I'm an actuary, and most of my time is spent working on reports from home. Theoretically, this is a very quiet profession. But if you have three cats at home, quiet becomes an ideal state.
My cats are:
- A Persian cat (with a body shape like a small sheep)
- A British Shorthair cat (round like a cushion)
- A Persian cat (looking like a fluffy ball)
They have one thing in common:
They all think that my desk belongs to them.
It was not until I started to study something - a corner cat tree.
To be honest, at first I just wanted to find "another place for the cat to stay".
Unexpectedly, this decision completely changed the spatial order of the house.
Why do cats always like to stay in the corner?
Many people think that cats like high places.
In fact, what cats really enjoy is a sense of security + a good view.
If you have observed cats, you will find that they particularly like three places:
- The position against the wall
- A high place where they can see the entire room
- A place where no one can suddenly approach from behind
In other words --
The corner is the cat's VIP seat.
This is not a matter of personality; it's the cat's instinct.
In the natural environment, cats are both predators and potential prey.
Having a wall behind and a clear view in front is the most comfortable state.
This is also why many cats choose:
- Top of the bookcase
- On the refrigerator
- Corner of the sofa
- The cabinet by the window
So when I first saw the design of the "corner cat tree", I was actually a little surprised.
"Apparently, even cat furniture has its layout carefully planned."
A common problem with ordinary cat climbing frames is that they take up too much space.
If you have ever bought a cat climbing frame, you might have noticed something:
They are usually very large.
And it's very difficult to put it together.
I once bought a traditional cat climbing frame, which looked like a plush little castle. The problem was that it stood in the center of the living room, looking like an awkward sculpture.
The result is:
- The space beside the sofa becomes narrower.
- Walk around the route.
- It looks as if an extra piece of furniture has appeared suddenly.
Later, I came to realize a simple fact:
The space in the home that is most likely to be wasted is actually the corners.
For example:
- Behind the sofa
- Next to the bookcase
- The corner of the wall facing the window in the living room
These places are rarely used in normal times, but they are perfect for cats.
So I began to seriously study the corner cat tree.
The requirements for cat climbing frames by large-sized cats are truly different.
If you have a normal-sized cat, most cat climbing frames will be suitable for it.
But if you are raising these breeds:
- Birman cat
- Maine Coon
- Persian cat
- British Shorthair Cat
Things are completely different now.
These cats usually weigh between 6 and 10 kilograms.
In other words -
They are not "jumping onto the cat tree".
They land with weight.
Therefore, the cat climbing frame must meet three basic conditions.
The first thing: stability
If the cat tree shakes, the cat will immediately notice it.
Once the cat loses trust in it, it will no longer use it.
I once bought a cat climbing frame that looked very nice.
When the Persian cat jumped onto it for the first time, the entire structure gently shook.
The cat's expression seemed to be saying:
"I don't engage in such risky investments."
After that, I never went up there again.
Stability mainly comes from two things:
- A heavy base
- Thick support posts
The stronger it is, the more at ease the cat feels.
The second item: Platform size
The platforms of many cat climbing frames are actually designed for kittens.
When the big cat sits on it, it will transform into:
Half of the cat is inside, and the other half is outside.
Persian cats are especially noticeable.
If the platform is too small, they will look like a mass of squeezed-out cotton.
So later on, I only focused on wide-platform designs.
The third thing: Scratching post
A scratching post is not just decoration.
This is something that the cat uses every day.
If the scratching post doesn't work well, the cat will turn to another piece of furniture -
such as your sofa.
The most durable materials are usually hemp ropes or natural wood structures.
Why are wooden cat climbing frames becoming more and more common?
Over the past few years, I have noticed a trend.
More and more cat owners are beginning to choose wooden cat climbing frames.
The reason is actually quite simple.
1.More stable
The solid wood structure is inherently heavier.
For big cats, this is crucial.
2.More durable
Fabric cat trees usually wear out after a few years.
The wooden structure, however, can last much longer.
3.Looks like furniture
This is an important point that many people overlook.
Cat furniture is actually part of the home.
Some well-designed cat furniture, such as some of the handmade wooden cat climbing frames by mewzoom, look more like modern furniture rather than pet supplies.
It won't look out of place when placed in the living room.
For the first time, I placed the corner cat tree in the living room.
Last autumn, I placed a corner cat climbing frame in the position by the window in the living room.
There used to be only one floor lamp placed in that area.
Then a very typical behavior of a cat occurred.
Day one
Three cats were observing from a distance.
The next day
The British Shorthair cat jumped onto the first floor first.
Day Three
The Persian cat jumped onto the highest platform.
Day four
The Persian cat declared that this was its private bedroom.
Now that place has basically become a "viewing tower" for cats.
There they are:
- Look at the birds outside the window
- Sunbathing
- Sleeping
- Occasionally, they would push each other to make room.
The most amazing thing is:
They finally stopped bumping into my keyboard.
When choosing a corner cat tree, I will consider several details.
If you are also considering a corner cat climbing frame, these details are really crucial.
Corner angle design
A cat tree that is truly designed for corners usually has a 90-degree triangular base.
This way, it can be completely flush against the wall.
Height
Cats like high places.
But there's no need to be too high.
For most families:
A height ranging from 59 to 71 inches is very comfortable.
Hierarchical distance
Cats actually don't like performing "difficult jumps".
If the layers are too far apart from each other, they will be too lazy to climb.
A height difference of 12 to 16 inches is the most natural.
Nest and platform
Cats sleep about 16 hours a day.
Therefore, the cat climbing frame should not only be suitable for climbing but also for sleeping.
It would be best to have:
- Half-enclosed cat bed
- Wide platform
- Soft cushion
An unexpected change
I originally just wanted to find a place for the cat to stay.
The corner cat climbing frame has changed not only the activity range of the cats, but also their behavior patterns.
It also changed the rhythm of the living room.
Previously, cats often occupied:
- Sofa armrests
- Desk
- Keyboard
Now they have their own highlands.
The cat observes the world from up there.
I work below.
Each of you has your own territory.
As an actuary, I will calculate one thing.
Professional habits.
When I make purchases, I take into account the long-term costs.
If this cheap cat climbing frame breaks down after just two years, it's actually not a good deal.
A more stable and durable structure actually costs less money.
Especially for households with multiple cats.
Lastly, here is a small observation.
Cats are actually very honest.
If they don't like something, you will immediately know it.
But if they like it, they will stay there every day.
Every morning when I make coffee, I always see three cats on the corner cat climbing frame:
One is sunbathing
One is dozing off
One is staring out of the window at the birds
That scene is somewhat reminiscent of a cat's version of apartment life.
To be honest, sometimes I do feel a bit envious.
No need to file taxes, no need to do accounting. Just find a good spot to sleep.
This is probably the philosophy of cat life.
And a suitable corner cat tree can precisely enable them to fully embody this philosophy.