Cat House

Even the most sociable cat - the beautiful Russian blue or the jealous Siamese - regularly hides in secluded corners. It's easy to imagine the feelings she experiences in these hidden places. Remember that feeling of security and relaxation when you come home after a long day at work. The cat is hiding and resting quietly, while you run around the apartment in search of your purr.

If kitty had his own home, both your and his life would be a lot easier. And here's why. A cat gets its rightful place, where it can get some privacy and rest from the hustle and bustle of life. In addition, the houses, which are sold in pet stores, are equipped with scratching post and various gadgets for games. You'll always know where the furry family member is resting, and how he feels. The couches and wallpaper will remain intact (cats love scratching post), and there will be no balls and other cat toys lying around.

So, the decision to buy a house for your cat is made. But the choice is so great that the eyes are running wild, and you really want to buy the biggest and most beautiful cat's "mansion". Take your time. First, look closely at your cat: whether he likes to sleep in the drawer of the dresser or prefers to rest on the closet after running around on sofas and shelves. Evaluate your options: the space available in the apartment, the amount of money you can afford. And now start choosing a house:

Hammocks for cats
A fabric hammock is the most minimalistic option. It can be placed under a coffee table or attached to high chair legs. Inexpensive for you, cozy and comfortable for your purr. One disadvantage is that it often squirts near the floor, and cats don't like that. It's worth putting a cat seat chair in the corner or buying a hammock with a special mount on the radiator. Hammocks on the window are also popular. From this position cats can watch what's happening in the yard or quietly dozing, basking in the warm sunlight. Suction cup mounts can hold even an adult Maine Coon.

Cot boxes
Soft boxes, baskets, hearts and oval cots - this kind of cat house is available even on a modest budget. On a soft mattress framed with small borders, the cat will feel like the queen of all the fluffy ones. At the same time, the fabric parts are easy to wash, and there is a full view for the pet to control the situation.

Booths
This option fully meets the name "house": there are walls, a roof and an entrance. It is the most reliable shelter for a kitty. It is warm and cozy, with no hint of drafts. Often kennels are equipped with a scratching post (this is a huge plus) and an additional viewing platform on the second tier. Such a house will appeal to a cat who prefers to rest on high.

Kitties love to rest in cardboard houses that mimic a teepee, but they love to chew on them even more. This is the shortest-lived lodge. However, its price is so affordable that you can buy such an option for a change.

Hanging houses are especially relevant for bald and short-haired cat breeds. It collects warmer air at higher altitudes. A shy sphynx or a quiet Singapore cat will definitely like a secluded shelter. However, any cat living in a family with children will periodically hide in a place out of reach of little mischievous kids.

Tunnels
With tunnels, manufacturers combined the cats' desire to hide in a narrow space and their love of rustling. The pet can play for hours inside the new house, and then fall asleep there. The tunnel is easy to wash and can be moved to another room.

Cat beds and couches
It is unlikely that a cat will constantly rest on a sofa or an elegant couch. But this option also has its place, for example, for a beautiful photo shoot.

Game complexes
Multilevel complexes are designed not only for recreation. Several "sleeping" places (below the cabin, above the hammocks and viewing platforms) are supplemented with ladders, hanging toys, posts for claw sharpening and climbing. Don't spend money on such a complex if you have a lazy ragdoll or exot. House complexes will appeal to active pets who like to jump on shelves and hang from curtains.

When choosing the size and shape of a cat shelter, follow these tips:

• For medium-sized cats, a surface length of 40-50 cm is sufficient for resting. Bigger cats should buy dog beds and houses at least 60 cm.
• Hammocks, daybeds and simple kennels without an inspection platform are suitable even for tiny apartments. They are easy to move to another place. They are ideal for older cats who often suffer from arthritis and do not have as much energy and desire to jump on tiered shelves.
• Tiered houses with multiple resting places will be loved by an active, young cat or even two.
• A soft house on the floor will comfortably accommodate a pregnant cat or a mother cat with her kittens.
• It is advisable to buy a sports complex, if a hyperactive pet or several cats live in the house. Campanile fluffy will find entertainment and will not meow packs stir under your feet.

Important: The entrance to the cat house should not be too big in order to keep the pets so necessary warmth.

The cost of the cat house depends not only on its size, but also on the quality of the materials used. Consider their advantages and disadvantages:

• Base: The house on a wooden base is stable and absolutely safe for the pet, but it costs a little more than other options, it is difficult to move. It is undesirable to buy houses made of fiberboard/chipboard. The glue present in the composition of this material gradually evaporates and can provoke disease. Optimal in price and safety is plastic. However, tiered houses with plastic posts are quite light and require additional fastening.
• Cladding: Manufacturers use a variety of soft fabrics. Plush is easy to wash, but it is not as durable as, for example, duplicated velour. It is better to choose a velour with short pile, this material is more durable. The optimal variant for lining of a soft house or a doghouse is microfiber. It is extremely durable, perfectly keeps warmth and dries quickly. Fur upholstery, especially one sprayed with catnip scent, will lick the cat and may swallow the lint. Carpeted flooring is the most durable and is ideal for upholstering viewing areas.
• Bedding and bedding fillers: Of the fillers, sintepon is the most acceptable, although it is made with glue. However, foam, or rather, its toxic fumes, can cause serious harm to the health of the cat and all the pets. And the new polyurethane foam releases into the air 5-6 times more hazardous substances than the material used for years. Some models use special insulating granules. However, the lining of such houses must be as strong as possible, so that the cat could not tear it and swallow dangerous for health "peas".