The Best Cat Furniture, Scratching Posts, and Litter Boxes (2024) Leave a comment

Pet merchandise are not at all times good to have a look at. Carpet-covered cat bushes and plastic toys do not notably mix in with decor, and in the event you reside with a cat, you recognize that sometimes you are going to go away rubbish round—like empty packing containers or a balled up serviette—as a result of that is what they like to play with. That is the worth we pay for blissful cats. However not every little thing meant for feline enrichment needs to be ugly or cheaply made.

Dwelling with three cats in residences and small properties, I’ve realized that when every little thing you personal is on show, you need it to look good. I additionally wished them to be constructed effectively, with longevity in thoughts, and naturally, I wanted my cats to truly like them. So I began a mission to search out stunning cat equipment. These are my (and my cats’) favorites.

Additionally, take a look at our many different pet-related guides, just like the Finest Cat Toys, Finest Litter Containers, Finest Feline Provides, Finest Pet Cameras, and Finest Vet Telemedicine.

Up to date November 2024: We have added the Archie & Oscar Henrietta cat tree, Omlet’s Change cat scratcher and Freestyle Cat Tree, and Dagne Dover’s Kyoto pet provider. We have additionally eliminated a discontinued product and up to date costs and hyperlinks all through.

Desk of Contents

Do Your Cats Want Fancy Furnishings?

Your cats want a number of issues: a clear place to go to the lavatory, contemporary meals and water, and an entire lot of affection. They do not want a $600 litter field enclosure or $300 tree.

Cats are infamous for enjoying with the packaging the very costly merchandise got here in as a substitute of truly utilizing that very costly merchandise. In case your cats solely need plastic toys and junky-looking bushes, give these trash goblins what they need. And what I personally like in type, you might hate—but it surely’s a spot to start out if you would like to clean up your house.

Security Recommendation

I spoke with Russell Hartstein, animal behaviorist and founding father of the Los Angeles canine coaching facility Enjoyable Paw Care. He identified that some furnishings, whether or not low cost or costly, might probably be held along with poisonous supplies like formaldehyde glue. The place potential, I requested every of the businesses to verify the supplies used and have supplied their responses beneath.

When in search of merchandise for cats (or any pets!), maintain an eye fixed out for small components that might be a choking hazard in the event that they got here undone. Ensure that every little thing is connected correctly to carry weight, particularly for items that require at-home meeting. Control issues which might be glued on, just like the rope usually connected to scratchers, to ensure items of the dried glue aren’t uncovered. Even when the glue is unhazardous, you don’t need your pet consuming that.

Cat Bushes

Inexpensive and Stable

Fortunately, you do not have to spend a ton on a cat tree to get one thing that appears fairly good. My cats lounge on Catit’s small Vesper Field ($90) whereas I work (I maintain it subsequent to my desk). It has a backside semi-enclosed space for some privateness, a center seat with a scratching publish and toy, and a high mattress. All three ranges have furry pads that Velcro in. They arrive in a number of totally different configurations and coloration choices.

The Vesper furnishings is constituted of fiberboard with a laminate end. My cats have been utilizing it since 2020 with out something degrading—it made it backwards and forwards throughout the nation in packed U-Hauls too. Catit does supply substitute components to increase the furnishings’s life. I’ve used a bunch of issues from Catit now, together with totally different water fountains, and it is a usually well-regarded model. It additionally provides a 30-day return window in case your cat finally ends up not liking it, and yow will discover merchandise at Chewy and Amazon too.

Catit assured me all of the Vesper furnishings is made with toxin-free supplies, and it follows the formaldehyde emission requirements (TSCA Title VI compliant) for composite wooden merchandise put forth by the EPA.

Runner-Up

The Mau Cento Tree obtained essentially the most compliments of any furnishings I’ve owned. Past being fairly, my cats beloved it. I usually discovered two of them quick asleep in every basket, or my little woman Eely slumbered within the fuzzy cave. They leap on and off, scratch the designated scratchers, and play with the pom poms. It’s extremely costly, although components are replaceable.

Each bit is constituted of actual wooden (sourced ethically from bushes that “now not bear fruit,” in line with the corporate), and the model donates 5 p.c of earnings to animal welfare and environmental conservation organizations and vegetation a tree for each order. Mau shared take a look at outcomes with us that confirmed no lead, cadmium, or formaldehyde was detected within the merchandise examined—this included plush bedding, sisal ropes, metallic frames, particle board, tree trunk, plywood, and different woods and fillings. We had been blissful to see this, although the model didn’t explicitly state that the furnishings was unhazardous.

For Cats Who Want They Have been Exterior

Circe enjoys hanging out on the underside degree, concealing herself among the many leaves, and Scylla loves hanging out on the highest with among the branches eliminated, in addition to rubbing her face everywhere in the “stems” and “leaves.” Observe that producer On2Pets confirmed that the tree parts are fabricated from unhazardous, pet-safe supplies, although cats shouldn’t be permitted to chew on the greenery. —Kat Merck

A Customizable System

There are cat bushes, after which there’s the Omlet Freestyle cat tree, which has extra in frequent with an erector set than it does the everyday carpet-and-sisal quantity. Sturdy sufficient for even the biggest of cats, this modular assortment of metallic poles and solid-bamboo platforms is akin to Barbie’s DreamHouse for cat fanciers—you should buy as many platforms, steps, beds, scratchers, and add-ons as you’d wish to create something from a single pole in a nook to a maze that spans a complete room. There are pots for vegetation, rings for treats, scratchers, and pads.

When you can’t resolve tips on how to construct your individual set, Omlet’s web site provides a number of predesigned ideas. Poles taller than 8 ft must be bracketed right into a wall for stability, however not like related merchandise, Freestyle can accommodate ceilings as much as 12 ft excessive. My cats spend no less than a part of every day on a set that comes with two poles, scratchers, and beds (costs fluctuate relying on what number of parts you add). Nevertheless, deliver your persistence—even my wholesome marriage was threatened over the meeting of two poles’ price of equipment. When you do construct your individual, although, be sure to embrace the tipi. My cats battle over theirs. —Kat Merck

Cat Beds

A Comfortable Cave

Catenary’s Moon Cave provides two smooth mattress choices. In case your cats like small areas for napping, go away it as a cave. If they like some headroom, push down the highest to show it into a conventional pet mattress. There are tons of two-in-one beds like this that yow will discover for affordable, however I admire that the impartial, smooth design right here blends into the nook of my front room as a substitute of standing out like a brightly coloured toy. Possibly I used to be influenced by images on the web site, however I am imagining this wanting completely cozy beneath a Christmas tree this winter. The bouclé—aka looped yarn—can be machine cleanable.

Window Beds

Cats love lounging within the solar, so beds that sit on the window make good sense. I have been utilizing the Ok&H Pet Merchandise Kitty Sill Fleece beds for years. It is not fancy, however the beige fleece blends in fairly effectively. In case your home windows do not have sills for them to sit down on, there are alternatives with suction cups to stay proper on the glass.

Suction cup cat seats at all times make me nervous, particularly as a result of I’ve a pair hefty boys right here. However Tuft and Paw’s Cloud 9 Window Hammock is safe, so long as you completely clear your home windows and provides the cups time to actually stick. I’ve additionally used the Kitty Cot ($45), which is extra inexpensive although not as aesthetically pleasing. I might suggest including one thing smooth to each—each supply blankets or pads for an additional price, however I want they might be connected even with snaps or velcro, so they do not slip round if a cat leaps onto it.

Scratchers

The Finest Scratcher

Not each piece of good cat furnishings must price a number of hundred bucks. I’ve used a number of of PetFusions’s loungers they usually held up rather well below ferocious cat claws. Additionally they look cool and are sturdy sufficient to assist my weight (generally ya gotta attain one thing up excessive, you recognize). Cats can scratch one aspect to oblivion and you then simply flip it to a superbly clear aspect.

Higher Cardboard Slabs

Corrugated cardboard scratchers are nice as a result of most cats love them, they usually’re simple to interchange. Except for the big PetFusion lounger above, most are simply skinny rectangles. They do their job however do not appear to be something particular. Catenary’s Bloom scratchers, although, take it up a notch, utilizing pet-safe dyes to create a phenomenal, pure design mimicking wildlife. It has no influence on whether or not or not my cats will scratch them (they are going to), they usually actually look good on my ground. For $60, you get a set of three, and every one is reversible.

Do not have that a lot house to spare? The Boots and Barkley Wave Scratcher ($15) from Goal will not be as cute, however my cats like it.

A Stunning Facet Desk Scratcher

Generally you see a product on Kickstarter and rely down the times till it is obtainable—that is what I did with the Hilde & Phil Cat-e-Nook. It is an actual wooden aspect desk for you, a scratcher to your cats, and a protector to your furnishings arms. The sisal scratch mats are replaceable and connect to the wooden with sturdy velcro, so it is a long-term funding for you and your pets.

Relying on the peak of your furnishings, you might want so as to add a riser. The web site has precise measurements, but when it is taller than 25 inches, you will want a 2-inch riser. If it is taller than 27 inches, get a 4-inch riser. Using risers additionally means you may swap them in or out in the event you change furnishings as a substitute of getting to get a brand new desk altogether. I really like that the model is known as after the founder’s cats—it is my dream to open a enterprise named after my beloved friends.

A Scratching Put up With ~Vibes~

UK-based Omlet is thought for its predator-proof rooster coops just like the Eglu Professional (8/10, WIRED Recommends), however prior to now few years it has expanded its choices for different pets, together with cats. One of many heaviest, sturdiest cat scratchers I’ve ever seen, the Change is a 33-inch-tall, sisal-wrapped tube on a 16 x 16-inch bamboo base weighted with a big water bottle. It comprises 12 totally different LED mild exhibits of curiosity to each cats and other people, from the traditional pink darting laser to coloured pinwheels and Tetris-like patterns, all with adjustable brightness, colours, and speeds. (My cats will not be particularly keen on chasing the lights, although they do watch them.) Set it up in a darkish den or gaming room for a twin cat toy and dialog piece, or use it in a bed room as a nightlight.

Neither of my 10ish-pound home shorthairs might knock this over regardless of my waving a toy on the highest of it to check their full leaping weight, so it might be an excellent choice for bigger or extra energetic breeds like Maine coons or Bengals. The sisal sleeve can be replaceable ($45), so not like cheaper scratchers, the entire thing doesn’t must be tossed when spent. Be forewarned, nonetheless, that this tree requires a prolonged and considerably difficult meeting, so be sure to have a few hours and a stable provide of endurance put aside. —Kat Merck

Sofa With Scratch Pads or a Cushion

The Work in Progress Cat Sofa is lovely and can be utilized as a scratcher, a mattress, or each. The bottom worth features a cardboard scratcher that may be flipped over after which changed (then you may recycle the previous one). Or you will get a extremely fairly cushion for a further $110. One in every of my cats instantly scratched and lounged on it—cats usually lounge instantly on cardboard scratchers, so you do not have to get the pillow instantly.

Like among the different merchandise on this record, I feel it is costly given its simplicity. Nevertheless, Work in Progress (WIP) is a small enterprise. When you can afford it, it is good to assist small companies like this, quite than a significant firm like Petco or Walmart. The Cat Sofa is manufactured from Baltic birch wooden in Arizona. It is completed and sealed, assembly the Greenguard low-emissions certification, so it must be protected for pets. The cushion is stuffed with polyester and the duvet is a linen-cotton mix.

A Provider/Mattress Combo

I’ve tried fairly a number of carriers throughout the worth spectrum, and I used to be impressed by Tuft and Paw’s Porto Cat Provider (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It is smooth however sturdy, and would not collapse below the load of a cat. It has transported my cats to vet visits and stored them comfy within the automobile throughout a cross-country transfer. Some cats will sleep in any provider in the event you go away it out, however I like that this one could be reworked into somewhat mattress by unzipping one aspect and unfolding the fake shearling pad. The whole factor is framed in zippers, so it will possibly go from a structured provider to fully flat. That provides you extra choices for getting fussy cats in or out.

An Upscale Provider/Mattress Combo

My cat Scylla is unusually choosy about the place she sleeps, however she is obsessive about snoozing within the soft-sided Dagne Dover Kyoto pet provider. (It’s additionally well-liked amongst our employees with canines—WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu makes use of it to tote his pup to the seashore.) The bag as a mattress is smart from a cat perspective—it’s principally a field, which cats love, with opaque sides to make them really feel protected and mesh screens on the back and front to allow them to control issues. Not like many precise cat beds, the Kyoto’s smooth sherpa mattress insert additionally has a zip-off, washable cowl.

I additionally love that it opens from the highest, which makes it a lot simpler for wrangling and inserting noncompliant animals, and that it’s each TSA-compliant (it will possibly match below an airline seat) and permits Scylla to have a protected and acquainted house at any time when I must take her someplace. I’ve the big measurement, which inserts pets as much as 20 kilos, however there’s additionally a small choice for pets 15 kilos and below. Seat belt loops add a layer of security for automobile rides, and the whole bag collapses flat for storage. —Kat Merck

Litter Containers and Enclosures

A Nice Primary Litter Field

My cats are completely wonderful utilizing plain previous litter packing containers, and yours in all probability are too. You may class it up a bit with packing containers disguised as vegetation or hidden inside aspect tables, however Tuft and Paw’s Cove litter field takes a easy litter pan and elevates it.

It is hefty, so it will not transfer round in case your cats wish to kick. Talking of kicking, the removable shelter retains litter and pee inside—simply in case your cat has a excessive stream. The field has a devoted house for the included scoop and dustpan. Nevertheless, I want you might buy the shelter individually. Weirdly, this field would not match into the model’s litter field enclosure, however the model launched a brand new Cubby model ($69) that does work with its fashionable Haven Enclosure ($699)—we’ve not tried the Haven, however we have been coveting it from afar.

The Finest Litter Field Enclosure

Placing a litter field inside a chunk of furnishings meant to hide it may give your cats some privateness, conceal odors, and conceal little turds out of your friends.

Tuft and Paw’s litter field enclosure is likely one of the most stunning items of furnishings I’ve seen, but it surely’s pricier than plenty of us can afford. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe has tried this Rena Litter Field Enclosure from Wayfair although, and you may usually discover it for round $120ish (and normally even much less). It merely is not as fairly as Tuft and Paw, but it surely would not appear to be a poop receptacle both, and there is ample house on high for some decorations to additional mix it in with your home.