Cat Equipment - Cat Trees, inside and out

If you came into our house you would not see lots of paraphernalia based around cats, in that you would not see ornaments, calendars, statues, or photos with any cats on. However you would come across all the stuff related to keeping the wee beasties content and happy or so we think!!!.......

Katzengluck cat tree, just put together

Initially our cats were house cats which meant all their stimulation had to come from enhancing the house environment... that is we had to think cat. Ornaments came down to the bare minimum just like having a baby really and an understanding that the cats will find a way to look and lie in front of the window. All our cats love height and secret places. The back of sofas, window sills and room furniture of any height became plinths where they could rest. Leaving a coating of moulting fur wherever they rested!!! Even the kitchen is not a free zone as the work surfaces are a prime target, the only thing I can say we did try and keep them off and to date we really only have one cat that takes advantage. He is agile and demands food from the food cupboard, all I can say is we wipe down constantly and especially when we cook.

The old cat tree now a cat bush after it broke twice

To support their need for height we bought a cat tree, but I can honestly say almost all that you can by in the shops in the UK are appalling. They are light weight and fragile, one thing British Shorthairs aren't is fragile and they are hefty. Our first broke as it constantly toppled over. Our next came supposedly strong and good looking and again first the top broke, it got a lean, then as my husband said it became a cat bush being only around two foot high, hardly a tree. At this point I did my research and good old Germany does it again, best quality cat food and now best quality trees at a good price.

Too tired, now resting

Cats having a mad five minutes

We do have a fantastic make in the UK, which I received a quote from, it is made from a solid wood base, large solid poles and lovely wicker baskets however a quote around £700 for a cat tree would make anyone think you were a 'Mad Cat Woman' and could not even be considered. 'Tigga Towers' is a fantastic make and amazing quality but too steep for my pocket. Hence looking at the German websites. I found three that did good quality width poles, excellent sisal, good fabric and heavy duty bases.

Showing the quality of the sisal and the thickness of the leg posts and the thick plywood base.

These hammocks are just great

The one I went width was the cheapest, however the very big problem with this company is that they are very very poor at answering emails. I used Google translate and never knew whether my questions were misunderstood or not comprehensible. Eventually I sent a plan of a tree I would like which they priced up and we agreed to and I paid for. Then suddenly after some time, 6 weeks!!, it appeared!!!!!! and was perfect with hand drawn instructions! I knew they used plywood to cut the price down but it looks good, the poles are thick and it looks as good now as it did when it came. It doesn't move and inch even when all FOUR  cats are on it (3x5Kg).

 Katzengluck was the website

http://katzenglueck.de/xtm/index.php?XTCsid=olodkd7qcgo8v3p3dii0uqt5g3

Amber and Bernd the people to chat with.

There were three other sites I found one is Pet Fun

http://shop.petfun.de/en/kratzbaeume

 or Kirstins Heimtier Shop

http://www.kratzbaeume.de/index.php

 or Profeline Katzenshop

http://www.profeline-katzenshop.de/baukasten/abschlussteile

The outside cat trees being test driven

Playtime

 During the process of putting all the cat proofing up outside we did have to cut down a lot on the height of plants etc in the garden. Just to ensure it would go safely in and there would be no leapable areas. We cut down all the plants which went up the outer legs of the Pergola and then it became obvious as they were so bare that they could be used as a main post for a cat tree. Decking tiles, 60x60, were purchased and a middle section cut out to slide around the post. The underneath was then reinforced around the cut in all areas and then when it was fixed up a triangulation piece of wood placed in to support the weight of the hefty cats. The result was a three level cat tree outside x 2. These have become prime perches and adored for watching the world go by.

Watching the world together

Sunbathing