For cat owners, it's a fact that all of the furniture in the house is cat furniture, as cats will lay and make themselves comfortable on just about any piece of furniture in the house. If this isn't idyllic, however, shopping for furnishings specifically designed for cats can be helpful. Cat furniture doesn't need to be expensive, but it should be snug and secure for the cat.

Getting cats to use the cat furniture purchased exclusively for them can be another matter altogether, of course, as training is required to ensure that the feline friends stay where they're supposed to. Shopping responsibly for cat furniture can help show cats which furniture belongs to them and which furniture does not.

The Right Stuff

The truth is that cats don't really need all that much in terms of cat furniture. There are some basic health needs, however, that a cat should have met by the furnishings designed exclusively for him. The best place to start looking for ideal cat furniture is the place that knows the most about cats and their needs. That place is typically the pet store.

The scratching post is the most indispensable piece of cat furniture. Cats need to scratch to keep their nails healthy and to get suitable exercise, so it is important to provide cats with an appropriate way to do that. A sturdy, tall post is probably best. Picturing the cat's full stretched body is a good way to purchase a properly-measured cat scratching post, but taking the cat to the store is an even better idea.

A cat bed is a good idea, too, but not as essential as a scratching post in terms of cat furniture. Cats need a clean place to sleep and privacy is a must. There are a number of special padded cat beds available on the market, many of which are significantly more lavish than necessary for the average cat. Owners that are prone to excessively pampering their feline friends, however, may want a cat bed of the highest quality. A basic clean folded towel is usually enough to suffice as an impromptu cat bed, though.

A cat perch is another luxury item in terms of cat furniture, but it does help the cat do the things he enjoys most: looking out of the windows and sitting way up high! Cats love to perch and watch things, so a cat perch can put the cat up where he wants to be and give him a wonderful vantage point so that he doesn't miss a minute of activity.

Finally, the "kitty condo" is a trendy item for pet owners that love to spoil their felines. Kitty trees or cat condos have been requisite pieces of cat furniture for the cat lovers that have it all, but most people skip the kitty condo and simply let their cat run free. Kitty condos are available in a variety of sizes and usually have more lavish carpeting than the average home. A simple carpeted box will usually do in most cases, but for the more discriminating cat owners, there are a number of other options at the pet store for these extravagant items.