Cat Furniture: the Height Of Desire

You've tried kindness. You've tried scolding. Now you're eyeing that cattle prod. Why does your cat insist on climbing the curtains?

Like mountaineer George Mallory said of Mt. Everest: "Because it's there." Your cat is following nature's orders. She will descend your drapes only when you give her a better option. Lucky for you, Cat Furniture has birthed a litter of irresistible choices: cat trees, cat gyms, and cat condos.

Cats want to be up off the floor. If the only thing in the room is a piece of paper, your cat will sit on it. Think of all the times you've tripped over your cat and you'll understand why he likes the high ground.

Cat trees are a carpet-covered playground. Just as you were drawn to the monkey bars, cats love climbing to the top of a cat tree for a regal view of the world.

It's not hard to choose cat tree furniture. Just keep in mind your cat's size and age. Each platform should be a challenge to reach, but not so challenging that Muffin can't make the jump safely. A perch on the top is a must-have reward, especially if you set it by a window. If your cat is shaped more like a pumpkin than a football, CatFurniture.com offers cat trees with bigger platforms and easier steps.

Most cat trees include a rough, durable, satisfying cat scratching post. Cats need to dig their claws into things from time to time, and better a jute-covered pole than a velvet-upholstered antique.