Corner Cat Tree Guide: Why Cats Love High Spaces
I finally understand why so many cat owners are looking for corner cat trees.
If you asked me a question -
What exactly does a cat want?
My previous answer might have been: canned food, a cat teaser toy, and a cat litter box that is always clean.
But after spending several years with my Persian cat, I discovered that the real answer is actually much simpler:
A place that can overlook the entire world.
And this is the reason why I later conducted a careful study of the corner cat tree.
I used to be an accountant by profession. My professional habits made me particularly sensitive to "space utilization rate" and "structural stability". After looking at numbers for a long time, you inevitably develop an obsession with efficiency. Unexpectedly, this professional habit of mine eventually got applied to cat trees.
The cat's obsession with "high places" is actually quite reasonable.
Many people who are new to owning cats run into a question:
Why do cats always head for higher places?
On top of the bookshelf, on top of the wardrobe, on top of the refrigerator, even on the door frame -
As long as there is a little height, the cat wants to give it a try.
At first, I thought my cat was just being "naughty".
Later, after doing some research and talking to friends, I gradually realized:
Cats' preference for high places is written in their genes.
In the natural environment, being at a higher position implies three things:
- Can detect dangers in advance
- Can observe the prey
- Can confirm one's own territory
In simple terms, heights provide a sense of security for cats.
If there is no suitable place at home, it will find one by itself.
Then you will see a cat standing on your newly arranged bookshelf, looking at you with an unshakable confidence on its face.
My Cat's Lesson on Space Management
My Persian cat is called Luna.
She weighs about fifteen pounds and looks like a moving cloud.
Luna's only two major interests are:
First: Look for a high place.
Second: Stand on the high place and watch me.
At first, I bought an ordinary cat climbing frame, but soon I discovered several problems:
1.Take up space
2.The structure was light
3.The platform is too small.
For large cats, some cat climbing structures are more like children's furniture.
When Luna jumps onto it, the entire shelf will shake slightly.
At that moment, I suddenly realized:
If this thing could talk, it would probably yell "Help!"
So I began to re-examine the structure of the cat climbing frame.
Why did I end up choosing the corner cat tree?
After looking into it carefully, I discovered a particularly clever design:
corner cat tree.
In simple terms, it's the cat climbing frame placed in the corner.
It sounds quite ordinary, but it solves many practical problems.
1.High space utilization rate
Many homes actually have the same issue:
The corner is being wasted.
The corner next to the sofa, the corner near the window, the corner in the living room -
usually it's just empty.
A corner cat tree can make great use of that space.
It won't block walkways and it won't disrupt the layout of the room.
It is particularly friendly for small-sized apartments.
2.Better stability
The biggest problem with cat climbing frames is actually not the height, but stability.
Especially for large cats like the Persian cat and the Maine Coon cat.
The corner structure can sit right against the wall,
and it provides a more stable center of gravity.
When a 15-pound cat jumps up from the sofa,
you will be very grateful for this design.
3.More in line with the climbing habits of cats
Cats actually don't like "overnight success".
They prefer:
Jump once
Pause
Jump again
A good corner cat tree is usually designed as a stepped platform.
When a cat gets up, it does so very naturally.
The first time I saw Luna jumping around up there, I had a strange feeling -
It's like looking at a fluffy mountaineer.
Later, I began to pay attention to the materials used for the cat climbing frame.
When it comes to shopping, I have a habit:
Examine the structure.
Many cat climbing frames are made of particle board and are covered with plush fabric on the outside.
The advantage is that it is cheap.
The drawbacks are also quite obvious:
- It will loosen over time.
- The fabric tends to tear.
- Very difficult to clean
Later, I started paying more attention to wooden cat trees.
Those structures feel more like real furniture.
For instance, at that time I had studied a handmade wooden cat climbing frame design by mewzoom,and its overall structure consisted of a wooden platform with claw posts.
It doesn't look like traditional pet supplies; rather, it seems more like a furniture piece in the home.
The most important point is:
The platforms are fairly large.
Large cats really dislike small platforms.
If a cat lies down and its tail hangs off the edge, it may stop using it.
Large cats and cat climbing frames are actually in a mutually necessary relationship.
Many people think that cat climbing frames are only for the kittens to play on.
But if you are keeping:
- Birman cat
- Maine Coon
- Persian cat
- British Shorthair Cat
You will gradually come to realize a fact:
In fact, they actually need a cat climbing frame more.
The reason is quite simple.
If large cats do not have sufficient climbing space, they will reduce their jumping activities.
In the long run, it is not good for the activity level and the joints.
With a stable cat climbing frame, they actually become more inclined to exercise.
A moment that made me chuckle a little
The day the cat tree was installed, I thought Luna would observe for a few days first.
As a result, I underestimated the cat's desire for heights.
Ten minutes.
It is already sitting on the very top.
Then it performed an action that all cats can do:
Look around.
The expression was exactly like someone who had just bought a house and was standing on the balcony.
I can even imagine its inner monologue:
"Good, this place is mine now."
If your home has limited space, a corner cat climbing frame would be a more suitable choice.
Many friends have asked me:
"My place is too small. How can we accommodate a cat climbing frame?"
I usually say:
Are there any empty corners?
Most families actually do have it.
A corner cat tree usually requires only about 2 feet of space.
It can also provide cats with a complete vertical activity area.
And it won't look crowded visually either.
Instead, it will make the space more layered.
Before choosing a cat climbing frame, I will first consider these three things.
This is the simple method that I later came up with.
First
The body size of a cat
For large cats, a structure with a large platform should be chosen.
The cat must be able to stretch its body completely.
Second
Where does the cat usually like to stay?
The best place to put the cat climbing frame is:
- Living room
- By the window
- A place with a large number of family members
Cats actually enjoy observing humans.
Third
Are there any corners that can be utilized?
If there is any corner space available,
a corner cat tree is usually the most reasonable choice.
It neither interferes with the daily movement pattern nor provides the cat with a stable vertical space.
After keeping cats for a long time, I have a little insight.
Cats are actually very honest animals.
If something doesn't work well, it won't force itself to function properly.
It will only:
Completely ignore.
However, if a cat climbing frame truly caters to its habits, you will find that the cat uses it every day.
Now Luna's daily life is very regular:
Morning
Sunbathing on the top of the cat climbing frame
Afternoon
Taking a nap in the middle of the day
evening
Supervising me while I'm cooking from above
Sometimes I look at her and think:
This cat probably feels that it is living in a small watchtower.
And I was just the one who was responsible for paying the rent.
If your home also has a cat that likes to occupy high positions,
perhaps giving it a truly vertical space all its own
might be more important than you think.