A cat tree in full bloom

I was walking through the house the other day and came upon this sight.  It is rare that all the perches are covered on the tree, despite the fact that this is one tree is quite loved. In fact, this tree is actually over a decade old having arrived at Casa de Gato on January 24, 2003.  It moved from our previous house. I really think it is time for a new one, in fact, several of our trees need replacing.

Having scratching posts that cats can climb and scratch and perch on up off the ground not only saves my furniture but also gives the cats a great deal of happiness and security. Being able to survey their territory from up high is a very typical cat behavior.

Since I am looking for new ones, anyone have any recommendations? Know of any good sales going on?

Kitty’scape™ Cat Tower

WAAAY back on October 7th I won a Kitty’scape™ Cat Tower from Cat Chat with Caren & Cody.  I was so excited because I love bringing in new enrichment for my own cats and also for the kittens.  It was hard to tell which this product would work better for from the pictures, so I figured I would wait till it showed up and decide once I got my paws on it.

First it needs a cat scan

and a second opinion

We got the Deluxe Playscape Kit

Seriously guys, what's with all the cat scans??

Snoopervising?  really?  don't you trust me??

Guess not.

How the base looks from underneath.  I like how it is well finished.

The set up I chose.
You can configure it any number of different ways.

adding the padding and the support for the cabana

Fleurp was the first one on, and the first to deposit her scent.
Keep your eye on the kitty on the floor.

Floor to cabana roof in a single bound

I shall call this.. 

KITLANDIA!

Hey, what about us??

You may join me in KITLANDIA any time.. 

Twee scratching on the scratching post

Muffin wanted to get in on things

Muffin says she fits in the Cabana..
 Kit tries to pretend it isn't happening

See.. I fits.. 

Even Eli wanted to check it out.

Kit is in the 'hammock' under Skippy

Three out of four of the girls.. 

I will say I am pretty darn impressed with this.  For a modular tree it is impressively sturdy and while I wouldn't say it was overly roomy, as you can see it did work fairly well for Muffin who is 14lbs.  Both my husband and I agree it would probably be better for the kittens in general, but there are some major MAJOR issues with giving it to them. Since baby kittens aren't always the cleanest things I quite often have to launder anything that can't be bleached.  The wood is slightly rough - I should probably say not as smooth as I would like.  It isn't so rough that I'm worried about splinters, just that I am not sure that if I end up with poopy footprints on them that I'd be able to clean it well enough.  The scratching pad (green) would be impossible to clean because it does not come off, and the "hammock" would require me to disassemble the whole thing to get it off to wash it.  Then the pad in the hammock is attached to wood, so again washing is not really an option.  I would have much prefered it if these items were more like the cabana which in my opinion was well done.  The pad in that is much like a shower cap and can be taken off pretty easily.  If they had put a zipper around the top of the hammock instead of just across the bottom it would have been much easier to remove and launder when necessary... because I am going to assume even my adult cats are going to get it dirty at some point.  I'm also not overly thrilled with the cat toy attachment because it is proprietary.  The end of the toy has a plastic bit on it so it fits in the collar that goes around the pillar.  So when they destroy the toy, which I know they will, I will have to buy another one from them instead of being able to use one I happen to have.  If they had made the collar accept a round pole toy I would have liked it better.  I think the bit might have been an attempt to keep the toy in a little better, but it doesn't lock and it is easily pulled out.

So The Crew has pretty much determined that they hozied it.  Muffin wants to call it the KittyCabana and was singing the Copacabana song (you are welcome for that earworm).  As you saw, Kit determined it is KITLANDIA..

Thank you Carin and thank you to Solvit Products

This review is 100% of my own accord.  I wasn't even asked for it.  I was not compensated in any way, but I did win the product so I didn't pay for it.

A new cat tree

Yes, I spoil my kitties.  Hey, they bring me amusement, and honestly the laughter and amusement I got out of this $130 purchase was worth it.  I mean I could have gone out and had an expensive dinner, or provided fun and exercise for my cats who make me laugh and smile every day of the week.  No contest! 

So I was thinking I needed a new cat tree for a while, but wasn't sure what I really wanted.  Ok I knew I really wanted a cat tree that looked like a tree, but I can't afford one of those (ok so I can, I just don't want to) and when I saw this at PetSmart, I thought it would be good for the bedroom.  We put a rather large one in there recently, and the cats use it to get up on top of the bureau, a place I'd really rather they not go since I tend to store stuff up there I don't want them to play with by throwing it off the top (rolled coins, credit cards, etc)  Since this one isn't quite as square, I thought it might be good enough to keep them from jumping over to it.  The kittens still do it, but the older ones don't.

But it was a huge hit from the moment it came in the house..

Sadly the photo isn't ideal.  They threw my digital camera that I generally use off the counter and it no longer responds.  So now I'm using an old 3 MP camera.  I have my Kodak, but it takes lousy photos.  I need to invest in another, but I am fearful I'm going to end up with another lousy camera.  Kodak takes great photos of still life photos, but cats do not sit still!!

This tree is a little differently built then most of my others.  Generally they have perches a little lower down so that the cats have to jump, but not so hard that they have to fly three feet into the air.  Here some of the crew was a little reluctant to try it out.  Ollie has no problems getting up there, but some of the others started out on the chair that was near it.   Once they realized just how high it was, they have been just fine.  And as you can see, Twee LOVES it.