While me and you live in a horizontal world, house cats are not limited to that way of life. In fact, they prefer getting vertical whenever they can for a variety of reasons. Whether they are just releasing some energy, looking for a place of solitude, or just showing off, your cat will certainly make use of a cat tree to take advantage of that vertical space. These trees provide the cat comfort, a level of safety, and a place they can simply have fun. These cat trees are not simply a luxury, this will become a very important part of their feline lifestyle. Here are some of the benefits of cat trees for large cats and house this unique territory can be the difference in a feline battleground or a happy home.
Making Larger Cats Happier
When you have more than one cat in the home, the larger of the group find it difficult in many cases to escape the non-stop activities of the smaller more energetic cats. The Maine coons are a terrific breed of cat, but they need their space to unwind and relax just like the rest of us. This breed of cat can be energetic, playful, and spontaneous, but during certain times of the day they simply want a place they can escape all the craziness. The cat tree gives this larger breed the ability to get vertical and hide inside a compartment that is the perfect size for their body without any other intruders disrupting their need for a break in the day.
Creating Peace Between Cats
If you have a cat like Maine coons and introduce a new kitten to the home, it is going to take time for these cats to understand their relationship within the family unit. The biggest benefit of the cat tree in this situation is that the larger Maine coon can mark their territory on the highest perch, allowing the other cat to claim a perch lower down the tree. While the relationship between the cats may be tense at first, the cat tree will allow them to position themselves and their territory, reducing any physical confrontations that could occur early on in their relationship.
Helping Those Timid Breeds
Many timid cat breeds like the Rag-doll, Maine coon, and the Persian, look for safe harbor in the home where they feel safer staying out of the way of the goings on during the day. Introducing the cat trees for large cats provides them the elevated perch they need to not only escape trouble, but to be able to enjoy a visual advantage and pay closer attention to everything taking place within their environment. The cat knows there is little chance that they can be ambushed from the rear, so they become more docile as they get accustomed to their new habitat. If you cat like to hide inside where they feel safe, consider keeping the cat tree away from the window where sudden noises and movement might actually frighten them.
Increasing Your Cats Territory
When you own a larger cat, they have very limited space within the home to move around during the day. The introduction of the cat tree instantly adds vertical space and increasing their territory. Cats might not be comfortable sharing space on the windowsill or on the stairs, but they will consider sharing the cat tree because of the separation of space. Larger cats enjoy the cat tree because it gives them the opportunity to get higher in the room than they had been able to do previously. A good quality cat tree will last several years, and in addition to giving your larger cat a place to explore, they can also use the apparatus for scratching. New cat trees are equipped with scratching posts made from bark, sisal, and bare wood.
The Best Cat Tree for Large Cats
Due to the size of the large cat, there are certain cat trees that work better for your pet. Avoid getting the cat trees with the small flat perches. You want the cat to feel comfortable on those ledges, and worrying about their legs or hindquarters hanging off the back of their perch will be most uncomfortable for them. Look for cat trees that have large “U” shaped perches so the cat can feel cradled inside the ledge. Most larger cats like to back up against certain things while they are resting because it allows them to feel more secure high up. Be sure to choose cat trees for large cats that are high enough, sturdy enough, and offer several unique places for them to call home. The tree must be able to withstand the weight of a larger cat leaping off the perch to the ground.
The Location of The Cat Tree
Take some serious consideration as to the location of the new cat tree. The ideal location would be near a window where your cat can pay close attention to all the activities taking place around the exterior of the home. If you are concerned about the look of the room with a giant cat tree in front of a window, choose a room that the cat will definitely find appealing. One thing to consider with children, teach them early that when the cat is in their tree that they most likely want to be left alone and they shouldn’t tease or try to bother them.
Large Cat Tree Considerations
One thing to consider when it comes to cat trees for large cats is that some cats love to sleep in these apparatuses throughout the day. Be sure that the tree includes unique shaped larger perches as well as cubby holes the cat can hide inside when they need to recharge. Older large cats might be suffering from early stages of arthritis, so consider purchasing heated for when the weather gets cooler. If the cat has difficulty making the jumps to higher perches, consider getting a tree that has more walks and stairs.
Considering all the benefits of the cat tree, your family pet will grow very fond of their new climbing apparatus. The designs are unique, and many can be customized to fit the needs of your particular cat. The most important thing to consider with the large cats is that the units are sturdy. Your cat is going to be getting significant use of the tree each day, and many time they will make the leap from high up to a couch, table, or window ledge. This vertical territory will be claimed quickly by the cat, and they will make use of their new higher perches almost immediately.
