Cat Of the Week – Duke – March 8th, 2021

Duke the orange cat in his house

Welcome to the first Cat of the Week post in quite some time!  We are going to start taking a slightly different format to this to try and keep getting them posted!  As opposed to writing up detailed stories we're going to g with an interview style instead. So let's get to our first interview, Duke!


What is your name? How did your parents come up with/decide on your name?
Duke. I am from Orange County where the airport is named after John Wayne aka “The Duke”
Do you have any nicknames?
Dukeroni, Pepperoni, Peanut Butter, Butterscotch
How old are you?
Six
What breed are you?
RESCUE!
What is your favorite treat?
Chicken, I will murder you and eat your face off for some chicken.

Duke laying next to a laptop

How do you sit back and relax? / How do you like to spend your spare time? What is your favorite thing to do?
I love sleeping on my peoples, especially when they are trying to work. I have a squirrel friend, Stan, who I like to hang out with in the back yard.

What is your bad habit you just can’t kick?
Howling to be let outside to spend time with my friend Stan. And stealing food.

What is your most redeeming quality?
I have a very sweet nature and have never bitten or scratched my people.

What is the naughtiest thing you have done?
One time I was let out back and I jumped on the fence and then on the roof of the house and hung out there until someone came and got me down. And I wasn’t the least bit sorry.

What is your funniest memory?
When we were packing to move to Denver, I would hide in the boxes being packed and attack anyone who tried to pack the box. Over and over again.
Any last words of wisdom to share?
Things are crazy right now, stay home with your family and try to enjoy it. And steal chicken whenever you get the chance!


We at StuffCatsWant also thank Kristy for submitting Duke as Cat Of the Week!! Please submit your cat as cat of the week by emailing StuffCatsWant@gmail.com with 5 pictures of your cat(s) and a short description of him or her or them!

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The 15 Best (Safe and Stable) Cat Trees for Large Cats 2021

a very fluffy cat on a cat tree

If your cats are anything like mine then they like to climb. A lot.  It is instinctual for all cats no matter their size.

So how do you keep them happy when you want them off things like your bookshelves and your furniture?

People might tell you to get a tree or get a condo. That’s a good idea. But if your cat is extra fluffy or extra large then you may have had trouble finding the right fit.

You can’t just go for any old furniture, you’ll want to find yourself a cat tree for large cats. Cat trees go by a bunch of names these days: cat climbers, cat castles, cat furniture, cat towers and so on.

I’ve sifted through countless options to bring you the best 15 big cats can actually use. So let’s get into them.


Hey-Bro 3 Level Large Capacity Cat Tower

a grey three level tree and condo for large cats

Not a huge fan of the name, but I will say that the tower itself has a lot going for it. The biggest perk is that it is weighty. Coming in at 37 pounds it is unlikely your cat or cats will easily tip it.

And for those of you with extra concerns or super skittish kitties it also comes with a strap to lock it in to the wall.  Just stick it on the back and you can lock it onto the wall to avoid all risk of tipping!

  • Multi-layer design perfect for cat's scratching, climbing, sleeping, and exercising
  • Anti-toppling / anti tipping fittings are included for double security for extra agile cats
  • Cotton filler all over the top perch ensures prime napping experience
  • The raised edge of this perch lets your cat rest on its head while guarding its domain
  • Easy to put together, takes maybe 15 or 20 minutes for anyone remotely handy

Quoted directly from other owners of this product:

“Other trees haven't worked for our Maine Coon, but this one works well due to the large ledges, she loves it! And she loves to watch out the top.”


The FEANDREA 2 Condo Tower

a two level tower with two condos for big fluffy cats

Honestly, who knows who names these companies that make some of these cat towers and trees?  No clue what the name means, but a very solid competitor for big fluffy cats!

This one has a simple two level design with multiple scratching areas and multiple condos. Your cats will have their pick of the comfiest place to sleep and will quickly be spending their 18-20 hours a day zonked out in one of these two condos.

  • Multi-layer design perfect for cat's scratching, climbing, sleeping, and exercising
  • It comes in three colors to match your home decor as best as possible
  • The two condos are both sizeable and make it easy for your cat or cats to snooze
  • The raised edge on top gives your furball a comfy place to rest his head
  • You can bolt it to your wall for an added layer of security for extra big or agile cats

Quoted directly from other owners of this product:

“My older and chonky maine coon has a tough time with some of the taller and smaller platform towers. This one is perfect for him. He can explore a bit and have some fun playing and hiding and he loves snoozing on the tip top.”


Go Pet Club 72″ Tall Cat Tree With 3 Perches

a beige tree with 3 sleeping platforms at the top and a large condo near the bottom

Go Pet Club is a ringer in the space of Cat Condos. They make amazing products at affordable prices and this option is definitely no exception. This model is specifically designed for medium and large sized cats! No kittens allowed! Just kidding…

But in all seriousness this version is designed specifically for big cats and it shows. Key features include:

  • This model comes in at a whopping 72 inches tall, that’s 6 feet for those of you that hate math
  • It is made of a combination of compressed wood, faux fur and sisal rope sisal rope
  • There are 3 different open spaces on the top giving your feline friends plenty of sleeping room
  • It easily supports cats that are 20 pounds and above, even multiple cats at the same time

Specs for this model are:

  • Overall Size : 33″W x 22″L x 72″H
  • Base Board Size : 23.5″W x 21.5″L
  • Size of Big Condo : 18″W x 12.5″L x 11.75″H
  • Size of Top Condo : 12″W x 12″L x 10″H
  • Top 3 Perches : 12.75″W x 12.75″L x 2.25″H

YAHEETECH 2 Story Cat Tree for Large Cats

a low profile cat tower with a huge condo for cats

If you're looking for something lower profile, but a perfect fit for an extra large kitty, then look no farther than this tower with two condos.

While it isn't super tall, it tops out at 33 inches, it does have an absolutely gigantic condo built into the bottom level for any of you with extra big kitties!  And the top layer is easy to hop up onto for the cats to have a nice height for getting their daily pet regiment from their humans!

  • The top of this tower is 22 x 20 meaning tons of space for your furball to relax
  • The scratching posts are extra thick and wrapped in sisal rope for the best cat experience
  • The base and the perches are made from extra thick particle board to give them some weight and make sure the likelihood of tipping is diminished
  • Premium plush covering is used to make sure it is comfortable for feline friend

Quoted directly from other owners of this product:

“My girl is pretty large at 17 pounds. She's also a wimp. She was using the tower as I was assembling it, so apparently it isn't that scary.  She ran right into the cave on the bottom level after I was done and took a 3 hour nap..."


Go Pet Club 80-Inch Cat Tower

a multi level and multi tiered cat tree from GoPetclub, fits well in a corner

Go Pet Club strikes again! So you’ve heard the phrase “Go big or go home” and decided to take it to heart huh?

Well this is definitely the cat tree for you. It is one of the biggest on the market and it has tons of awesome features for your feline friends.

Key features worth noting on this model:

  • This model comes in at a whopping 80 inches tall meaning it is almost as tall as Yao Ming
  • It is made of a combination of compressed wood, faux fur and sisal rope sisal rope
  • There are 13 different open spaces for your feline friend to enjoy lazing about on
  • It is designed for big cats and easily accommodates multiple cats at the same time
  • You’ll notice the shape of the base indicates it should be placed in a corner for additional stability
Specs for this model are:
  • Overall Size : 45″W x 30″L x 80″H
  • Base Board Size : 24″W x 24″L
  • Size of Big Condo : 16W x 16″L x 14″H(tons of snoozing space!)
  • Size of Small Condo : 12″W x 10″H
  • Size of the Basket : 12″W
  • Top Paw Perch : 14″W x 16″L x 3″H (excellent for looking down on humans)
  • Top Round Perch : 14″W x 3″H
  • Top Perch : 13″W x 13″L

  • Go Pet Club Huge 87.5 in. Cat Tree Condo House Furniture

    a gigantic cat tree with multiple compartments and levels

    If what you’re looking for is variety and space then you’ll certainly get it with this model from Go Pet Club. It has so much variety it may need to be shipped your way in a couple of boxes!

    This model has a total of 5 different enclosed places for your cats to sleep and 2 additional tubes they can use.

    On top of this the number of levels that have large sleeping areas available provides even more space for your kitties!

    Despite being huge it is also very stable for multiple cats. Quoted directly from other owners:

    “My cats are large, and it does not wobble when all of them are on it at the same time”

    Key items worth noting on this model:

    • This model comes in at a whopping 87.5 inches tall, bigger than most NBA Centers
    • It is made of a combination of compressed wood, faux fur and sisal rope sisal rope
    • It is designed for big cats and easily accommodates multiple cats at the same time
    • Specs for this model are: 23.5″ L x 42″ W x 87.5″ H

    New Cat Condos Large Cat Tower with 4 Easy Access Perches

    a 4 tier cat tree with circular tiers that have dips in the edge for a cat to lay its head on

    If you finish reading the entire article you’ll probably think that New Cat Condos has paid me for plugging them so often, but they just make amazing products that deserve to be all over the list. I really couldn’t find anything better so I’m sharing them with you!

    It is almost like they are the Big and Tall of cat furniture! Who knew that existed? This particular model though is quite a bit taller than their other options at just over 5 feet. So what else is worth noting? Let’s take a look:

    • This option has a total of 5 levels (including the base) for your cat(s) to enjoy
    • Each of the 4 raised levels is 17 inches in diameter giving plenty of space for a big fur ball
    • As with every New Cat Condo this option is made from solid wood meaning great durability
    • It also uses plush household grade carpet for extra comfort for your feline friend
    • You’ve a big chunk of high quality sisal rope available for scratching from the ground floor
    • The specs are as follows: 24″w x 20″d x 64″h
    • This model requires a bit of assembly because nobody wants a 5 foot tall package in the mail

    uoted directly from other owners of this product:

    “The ledges comfortably accommodate my Maine Coon giant cats.”

    Check out this short video for more a quick overview of the product as well:


    OTLIVE 2 Story Cat Condo

    a 2 story cat tree, the second story is a large square condo and the top is a giant open space

    OTLIVE is an up and coming name in the cat furniture game. Their designs are awesome and that’s helped them bring a great product to market for large felines.

    You know when the product weighs a lot you’re getting a lot of quality. Weight aside , this product really does bring something unique to the cat furniture market:

    • The top floor is 24″x17″ and has a 2″ thick pad included for extra comfort, great for big cats
    • All poles of the CatTreeKing are fully covered with sisal rope from top to bottom, tons of scratching space
    • All sisal is directly glued to the poles, so even if your cat breaks the sisal rope it will hold strong
    • If anything breaks you can order replacement parts one off from the company instead of ordering an entire new palace
    • All the panels are covered in plush carpet both bottom and top so you never see a piece of unfinished wood
    • The base is 28″x24″ meaning you’re getting a lot of stability

    PrestigeCats Main Coon Cat Tower

    a huge cat tresejust for main coon cats

    If you're looking for a cat tree that looks like a real tree then this is probably the closest you cant get without purchasing one covered in leaves.

    PrestigeCats created this killer cat tree that is absolutely huge and it is specially designed just for your Main Coon cat!!  Hard to get much cooler than this if I do say so myself.

    A few special items worth noting:

    • It is special designed just for Main Coon cats, both their size and weight
    • This behemoth of a cat tree is 24" wide by 24" deep by 65" tall, that's 5+ feet tall!
    • The top platform will be nice and stable for even the biggest of cats
    • This ships almost fully constructed, it should take you only 4-5 minutes to set it up
    • There area few different color variations you can choose from (but they do go in and out of stock)
    • It is made of solid wood, plush household grade carpet, unoiled sisal rope and sonic tubes
    • It is fully hand crafted in the United States of America

    The last thing I'll call out is that this is by far one of the more pricey cat trees on the market. But it comes with unbeatable quality and is incredibly unique. It is up to you if you're up to invest in it!


    SONGMICS Large Multi-level Cat Tower with Scratching Pad

    a grey cat tree with a very large condo near the bottom and a large sleeping platform at the top

    This cat tower comes from SONGMICS and is one of the best options on the market for multiple cats, especially multiple large cats. It has a ton of ledges and a perch on the top that will support a cat of practically any size.

    That top perch even has a raised edge to ensure your feline friend can rest their head and look down on their humans. Key features on this model include:

    • For big cats stability is key, the batten-strengthened base ensures the stability of the tower and it even includes an anti-toppling strap that you can put to use if you’re worried
    • It is super comfy and has cozy spots for napping, the spacious condo is an ideal napping spot for your cats
    • There are plush perches and a soft lounging tunnel offers them great view over the house
    • Raised edges of top perch provide protection from rolling off the edge in cat style
    • The model features round corners protect you and feline friends from any sharp edges
    • It has a multi level design ensuring your cats can freely jump around
    • All of the posts are covered with sisal and there’s a unique top scratching pad to ensure your cats will leave your expensive furniture alone
    • It is built with CARB-certified boards and covered with soft plush meaning it looks nice AND it’ll last a long time
    • The specs on this model are 35 3/8”L x 23 5/8”W x 61 3/8”H (90 x 60 x 156cm) meaning it’ll easily accommodate large felines 

    PrestigeCats Large Staggered Cat Tower

    5 perch cat tower in white with a scratching post in the middle of the right pillar

    If you’re looking for simplicity and you’re a little bit lazy (like I am) then you’re gonna love this option from PrestigeCats. They are bringing you a near fully assembled product that’s takes seconds to prepare out of the box. Talk about convenience.

    On top of this you’re getting a very simple and straight forward cat condo that will have your cat lazing about the minute the box opens. They might even go exploring in the box after the box after their first nap.

    Quoted from Amazon user Crazycatlady (I love the name):

    “I have a 20 pound cat who can fit on the top comfortably!”

    Key features worth noting:

    • This model is made from solid wood meaning it is extra sturdy
    • It also uses plush household grade carpet for extra comfort for your feline friend
    • You’ve got an awesome scratching section built into the support post that has high quality sisal rope
    • It is specially designed for larger felines and households with multiple cats
    • The specs are as follows: 20″w x 20″d x 46″h (tons of room for big cats to laze about!)
    • It is handcrafted in the USA and ready to use right out of the box coming from a company that got its start in an Arizona garage

    New Cat Condos Premier Triple Cat Perch

    3 raised tier cat tower, looks like very spread out stairs

    New Cat Condos specializes in making high quality cat furniture that requires zero work from your side.

    This is a fully assembled product that’s ready to use out of the box. You can’t ask for much more than that when it comes to online ordering!

    This model brings a level of simple luxury you just won’t find elsewhere.

    And you’ll have your cat lazing about the minute the box opens. You won’t even need to keep the box for your cat to be entertained.

    Quotes directly from other owners:

    “I was concerned about the size of this as my guy is nearly 20 pounds…but it hasn’t seemed to stop him from enjoying it.”

    “We have two Maine Coon cats and both are typical large cats. The platforms takes their weight individually and together without any problems and with no stability issues.”

    Key features worth noting:

    • Made from solid wood this model is extra sturdy compared to other models
    • It also uses plush household grade carpet for extra comfort for your feline friend
    • You’ve got two great scratching sections built into the support post that each have high quality sisal rope
    • It is specially designed for larger felines and households with multiple cats
    • The specs are as follows: 20″w x 20″d x 33″h (tons of room for big cats to laze about!)
    • It is handcrafted in the USA and ready to use right out of the box, they got their start in an Arizona garage

    New Cat Condos Large Cat Playground

    a 4 circular tier cat tree with a scratching post at the base

    Another amazing product from New Cat Condos is their 5 level cat playground.  If you’ve checked out the other items from New Cat Condos you’ll notice some similarities to the Large Cat Tower.

    The differences are small, but if your kitties don’t like to stick their head off ledges while they sleep then this model will be a better choice.

    It doesn’t have the same dips in the edges of each perch meaning it is perfect for curling into a ball for a nice nap.

    • This option has a total of 5 levels (including the base) for your cat(s) to enjoy
    • Each of the raised levels has a 4 inch lip and is 17 inches in diameter
    • Made from solid wood means it’ll withstand any beating cats can throw at it
    • New Cat Condos uses high grade carpet for an extra comfy feline experience
    • There’s a great scratching area wrapped in high quality sisal rope
    • The specs are as follows: 24″w x 20″d x 64″h
    • This model requires a bit of assembly because nobody wants a 5 foot tall package in the mail


    New Cat Condos Premier Cat Scratch and Lounge

    a three floor cat condo with a huge space on the top and 2 u shaped spots below

    Oooooohhhh baby. A cat lounge. Seems swanky right? I bet they would love to be served food and drink right up on that top level!

    This is another New Cat Condos option that shows up at your door ready to use, no assembly required.

    Your cats will impatiently wait for it once you hit the order button. You big cats will be extra impatient. Directly quoted from another owner:

    “I have 2 indoor cars. One weighs almost 20 pounds – he is a big kitty. A tall condo just wasn’t a good fit. This one was perfect.”

    “It could hold two cuddling kitties easily and more than adequately holds our 18 lb bruiser.”

    So what’s worth noting before you do hit that order button? Check out these features:

    • This option has a total of 3 levels outside the base for your cat(s) to enjoy
    • The 2 lower levels are designed in half circles to give your kitty a hug like feeling while relaxing
    • It is made from real solid wood, not particle board or pressed wood
    • New Cat Condos uses high grade carpet for an extra comfy feline experience
    • The specs are as follows: 20″w x 20″d x 32″h

    New Cat Condos Large Feline Play Perch

    a 2 raised floor cat condo with huge space for a large cat to lay down

    New Cat Condos is the king when it comes to high quality cat furniture that requires very little assembly.

    This product comes to you in the mail and it is ready to use out of the box. You can’t ask for much more than that when it comes to online ordering!

    This model is a simple and straight forward three level luxury cat castle. You’ll have your cat lazing about the minute the box opens because you just have to set it where you want it. You won’t even need to keep the box for your cat to be entertained.

    Key features worth noting:

    • Two raised levels that give your cat plenty of space to relax and a built in feather toy
    • No particle board here, it is made from solid wood for added durability
    • It also uses plush household grade carpet for extra comfort for your feline friend
    • Two sisal rope scratching sections right into it for when your fur ball needs to sharpen her nails
    • The specs are as follows: 20″w x 20″d x 32″h (tons of room for big cats to laze about!)
    • It is handcrafted in the USA and ready to use right out of the box, they got their start in an Arizona garage

    Cat Tree King's Empire Tower

    an absolutely gigantic cat tree for cats like maine coones

    The Cat Tree King brings to the market by far one of the biggest and heaviest cat trees on the market with their empire tower. This is truly the cat tree for those of you that have cats like Maine Coons that are well over the 20 pound range.

    You will have no problem with multiple extremely large cats using this tower all at the same time. It weighs in at over 140 pounds and is built like a Sherman Tank. It won't tip, wobble or even move when your big cats hop all over it.

    “I have a Maine Coon who is a big big boy at 25 lbs...is perfect he loves it...the Hammocks and house fit him perfectly and it doesn't tip...”

    “Sturdy, beautiful design, and the best part: the cats love it.”

    “The only cat tree I have ever had that they can jump on and it doesn’t wobble!”

    There are a bunch of key features worth noting:

    • The dimensions for this product are: 47″L x 24″W x 72″H
    • The top bed is 24 x 17 inches with 6 inch tall walls and it has a 2 inch thick pillow that attaches with Velcro and is easy to remove
    • There are two large hammocks as well with a diameter of 18 inches and they are hold up to 44 lbs
    • The playhouse at the bottom has tons of space at 24" x 24" x 24", even the biggest cats fit
    • All poles of the tree are fully covered with sisal rope from top to bottom
    • All the panels are covered with plush on the bottom and at the top so you never see unfinished wood
    • The quality is unbeatable, all parts are glued directly to the wood so even if your cat scratches or tugs the sisal or the plush fabric off in one spot the rest will stay firmly attached

    The only other thing worth considering is the price. This definitely comes in on the more expensive side of cat trees.


    CozyCatFurniture Carpet Cat Tower for Large Cats

    CozyCatFurniture has a bunch of products specifically designed for larger than life cats.  If you’re looking for a great piece of cat furniture then you should definitely consider something from CCF.

    This particular model is a 3 tiered tower ideal for big kitties that want to climb and chill out. There are tons of positive references from other owners of extra fluffy cats:

    “The beds are about 15″ wide and 5 1/2″ deep. My large cat(19 lb.) loves the beds.”

    “Sturdy, well made, my fat & large cats fit in it and LOVE it.”

    “Our very large cats love it and fit very comfortably in it.”

    There are a bunch of key features worth noting:

    • The dimensions for this product are: 20″L x 26″W x 52″H, the base is 20″ x 20″
    • Each of the levels is about 15″ in diameter giving your kitties lots of space
    • The first level is 14″ off the ground, the second is 35″ and third is 47″
    • It is made of solid wood, not press or particle board, this ensures extra durability & stability
    • This product is fully made in the good old USA
    • The product ships mostly assembled, but does require some construction (power drill recommended)
    • This option is brown, but there are five colors available: Beige, Brown, Blue, Gray and Green. They can be seen here.

    Why Should You Get a Cat Tree?

    cats love sleeping in high places

    There are a bunch of reasons you should get a cat tree for your cat. What it really comes down to is that it is a place for your cat to call their own. This brings a bunch of benefits for both you and your cat:

    • A High Place to Climb & Sleep: Cats love to get up high and sleep. Cat trees provide an excellent vantage point for your cats up off of the floor. This mean they’re less likely to get on your furniture and thus less likely to damage it.
    • Something They Can Scratch: Any cat owner knows that cats will instinctively scratch and you can’t easily stop it. The best you can do is redirect the behavior. Cat castles are designed to be scratched, talk about a perfect fit!
    • Something They Can Get Fur On: Finding fur on every piece of clothing you own and every piece of furniture you sit on can be frustrating. A cat tree for large cats will ensure more of their fluff stays in one place so it is easier to clean up.
    • Designed for Durability: Cat trees are designed to withstand the day to day lives of cats. Most of your furniture is designed for looks and comfort. If you want something that won’t be easily destroyed by your cats then this is the way to go.

    How Much Room Do They Take Up?

    Cat trees in general are rather space consuming, especially when you look for models that are designed to accommodate larger felines. That being said, there’s no need to get one that will take up half a room.

    Plenty of the options above are only about 20″ x 20″ at the base level. This is smaller than your average armchair in your family room and will provide the perfect spot for a cat to hang out and stay off the furniture.

    Now there are absolutely gigantic options as well. The Buckingham Palace by Kitty Mansions for example is absolutely monstrous. But 99.9% of cat owners have no need for a cat castle like this. Actually, 100% of cat owners. But who buys stuff they need anymore?

    The short of it is that you can get a tower your cat will love and it can easily fit in almost any room in your home.

    You should also pay close attention to the height of some of these towers. While most homes these days have over 8 foot ceilings (96 inches) there are a few that are right up there in that range. You wouldn’t want to buy something that is touching your ceiling if you’re in an older home with 7 footers.


    Are These Things Really Safe for Large Cats?

    A lot of cat castles will get wobbly or risk tipping over if multiple cats or a large cat gets on top of them. The models listed in this article are hand picked to ensure that won’t be the case.

    There are a few ways this instability can be compensated for. In several of the models above it has been handled by using extra high quality components that are already heavy and thus won’t move around easily.

    The other major way this can be handled is placement of the castle. Cat castles should be placed in a corner where the castle can’t easily be knocked around. Corners also ensure there are only two ways for it to tip or rock instead of three.

    Last but not least many cat castles come with stability straps. If the model you choose doesn’t come with one you can easily fashion one yourself with some rope and an eyelet drilled into a stud in your wall. Extra weight can also be placed on the bottom floor.

    It is worth noting that cats can fall off a completely stable cat castle, even while sleeping.  If your cat does happen to fall while sleeping you should definitely take them to the vet ASAP to ensure they aren’t injured in any non visible way. Check out this article from the ASPCA for more details.


    How Long Will They Last?

    Cat trees in general tend to be built out a lot of press board and reinforced cardboard tubing. While this makes a lightweight and easy to ship/construct product it doesn’t tend to last as long. Especially once cats are jumping all over it shaking screws loose.

    The good news is that most of the cat trees that are specially designed for extra fluffy kitties don’t use these components. They are engineered to withstand bigger cats so they are built of solid wood and rarely require much on site construction.

    A good cat tree should easily last several years at a minimum, and if you purchase a version made of solid wood materials that ships fully constructed it will likely last 3-5 years without any issue.


    Are They Easy to Assemble?

    allen wrenches

    I’ve put together numerous cat trees in my day and for the most part they are pretty simple to assemble. They generally come with simple directions and the tools required to put them together.

    Several of the models included above also come fully assembled or may simple require a attaching a single piece.

    Most of the pieces for CozyCatFurniture and New Cat Condos require little to no assembly because they ship fully constructed.

    Most often the only tool required is an Allen Wrench or Hex Key (see the picture for an example).

    Sometimes you might need to get a screw driver or a drill to speed things along. If you hate construction work I’d recommend ordering one that is ready to go out of the box.


    Will a Castle Keep Them Off my Furniture?

    The short answer is somewhere in the middle of yes and no. The longer answer is that you’ll have to do some work to get the castle to keep cats off of your furniture.

    Cat trees do provide a great alternative for cats to get up high and sleep, but that doesn’t  mean they’ll   stay off other high or comfortable places. It will likely help decrease the time spent in those places right off the bat though.

    If you really want to keep your cat off of specific pieces of furniture you’ll need to spend some serious time and effort. You can deploy lots of strategies to keep cats off of certain pieces of furniture.

    Similar strategies are often used for keeping cats off counters. You can check out this article to see common strategies to help deter cats from getting on furniture and counters.


    Wrapping It Up on Cat Trees For Large Cats

    Cat castles are an awesome way to kill a lot of birds with just one stone. They bring a ton of things that cats want all in one package:

    • A high place to look down on humans from
    • A comfy spot to sleep in the sun
    • A great item to scratch til their heart’s content
    • Hanging toys to swat at for fun

    There’s really no reason you shouldn’t get your cat their own tower. You just need to make sure you choose the right option for your cat.

    And when you’ve got a big cat it is even harder to find something that will fit the bill. The good news is there are a bunch of cat trees for large cats that have been specially designed to ensure they are extra stable and extra durable..

    StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    References: GoPetclubCozyCatFurnitureNew Cat CondosSONGMICS

    Cat Of the Week – Pickles – November 9th, 2020

    Pickles was born at her home in 2007. Her mother was feral, not in the best health, and living on a rural property. Mama had a six-week old litter following her and was pregnant again, so the family caught them and brought them indoors before the next litter was born.

    When the new litter arrived, it was obvious that something wasn't quite normal with one kitten. Four kittens snuggled up and began nursing, but the 5th one just wiggled about. She never was able to stop moving long enough to latch on and nurse unless her family held her.

    She was quickly given the loving nick name "Mr Dale Earnhardt Jr Pickle" (called Pickle or Pickles) because she spent a lot of time turning in circles. Of course she was too dear to her family to give away; so they kept her and a sister 4 months older from the previous litter. 

    Her vet wasn't sure what was "wrong" with her, but assured her family she was healthy, movement issues or not. She's seen several vets since, and the diagnosis is either Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH) or Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA), which are neurological disorders with similar symptoms.

    To be certain of CH, her family would have to sedate Pickles for brain scans, which they've declined as it won't make any difference in her treatment. Both disorders require care, not medication, and she has plenty of that at home!

    As she grew, Pickles exhibited many strange, sometimes repetitive behaviors: freezing in one position for 30-40 seconds, getting "stuck" in corners, walking in circles, standing/walking on her back feet, bobbing her head, waving her front paws, all of which are pretty harmless. 

    Other behaviors were more harmful, like licking all the fur off a front leg overnight, or bumping her head over and over until she had a knot on her head. The head-bumping was so frequent when Pickles was young that her family made a little helmet for her to keep her safe! Look at that beautiful craftsmanship, I wish I had half the talent.

    Some of her quirks are just odd, like, she can walk in a straight line, but if her front paws get crossed, she's stuck like that until someone gives her a nudge. She cannot uncross them by herself. 

    Occasionally, she'll make a wild leap, crazy-high in the air, for no reason her family can see. Cats, right? Pickles has amazing balance and she's spent long hours practicing her ability to balance on things like the wooden crossbar of a barstool--on only two feet--until she masters it. 

    Pickles LOVES to play, and will chase just about anything her family offers. She also loves to *be* chased, and has a little game where she runs back and forth across a room, in front of the other family cats, hoping one of them will chase her.

    At 13, Pickles has not so much outgrown the damaging repetitive behavior, but has less energy and spends most of her time sitting in laps or napping in her bed.  She still loves to play, but doesn't get as wound up and over-stimulated as she used to.

    She's gained more control over the years and can wash her paws and face more easily, but that's about as much grooming as she can do, her family helps with the rest (like brushing). She was unable to groom herself as a kitten, so this is a huge change for the better!

    Her family has learned more about what works for her over time. For example she's much better at picking her food up when she can see each piece on the kitchen floor instead of in a dish. Together, the family has made a lot of progress, but there are some things Pickles will never be able to do.

    That's alright with her family though because Pickles has a home full of people standing by, ready to help her with anything she needs. They feel she's been a great gift, and has helped all of them grow and become better people.

    Raising Pickles as their sons were growing up was invaluable, and helped them teach their sons about the importance of love, compassion, and perseverance. They simply can't imagine their lives without her!


    We at StuffCatsWant also thank Xa for submitting Pickles as Cat Of the Week and including such a heart warming story of such a wonderful cat!!

    Please submit your cat as cat of the week by emailing StuffCatsWant@gmail.com with 5 pictures of your cat(s) and a short description of him or her or them!

    StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Cat Of the Week – Guus – November 2nd, 2020

    Guus sitting on a bed

    Everyone meet Guus, he is 14 years old this year!  Guus is half Maine Coon (which if I admit is a commonly known cat breed). The other half of Guus is Nebelung and even though I run a cat website I'd never heard of that breed. Apparently I haven't been doing my homework!

    Guus absolutely loves to sleep. His "slave" Oscar notes that he likes to zonk out for about 18 hours a day on average. In my experience, my younger cats sleep about the same amount of time! If you're ever jealous of your cat sleeping so much check out this article on cat sleeping patterns to explain why. 

    Guus the tripod cat in the kitchen

    Even at 14 years old Guus is still quite a busy guy though.  Guus lost one of his legs due to a tumor so now he's a tripod. And while it stops him from hopping up onto high places, it doesn't stop him from living the good life. He's been with Oscar now for two full years and loves it!

    Guus is definitely a one cat household kinda man. He wants his humans all to himself so he can chill out and relax with them. He keeps an eye out near the windows to make sure no new cats are invading his space. Next on his wish list is a cat bed so he can  sleep in the window.

    He doesn't want anything to do with other cats, but he certainly wants as many treats as possible. When meal time rolls around Guus meows up a storm and makes it clear he wants snacks! 


    We at StuffCatsWant also thank Oscar for submitting Guus as Cat Of the Week!! Please submit your cat as cat of the week by emailing StuffCatsWant@gmail.com with 5 pictures of your cat(s) and a short description of him or her or them!

    StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Cat Of the Week – Billbert – October 26th, 2020

    Billbert on the balcony railing

    This is Billbert, she’s 3 years old. She loves absolutely loves playing hide and seek outside. She has 3 bushes which are her go to when playing and she loves sneaking up on her humans when they hide behind trees. Given the season maybe she'll learn to say Boo instead of giving a meow!

    Billbert playing hide and seek

    You can see she manages to hide quite easily despite wearing a tuxedo all the time! Cats certainly are impressive when it comes to camouflage aren't they?!?! With a bright orange kitty convict collar she might be easier to spot, but that'd certainly take all the fun out of it!

    Billbert is also quite partial to a game of fetch she often brings sticks up to us to throw for her.

    Bill also loves to get out on the roof and have a nice morning or evening stretch as you can see! She's got quite the downward dog pose going there doesn't she?

    When she’s not outside playing she likes nothing more than sleeping on her chair in the living room and if someone happens to be on the chair she makes a point of pushing them off. I'd say she needs a cat tree, but she seems to have plenty outdoors!

    Billbert on the balcony

    She’s not really a lap cat but at night she snuggles right up to you and that’s her pretty much for the night. It doesn't sound like Billbert needs any tips on how to sleep at night like some kitties do!

    Billbert Looking around while standing up

    She makes her owner Katie laugh every day with her wide eyed stare that she’s had since she was a kitten and it makes every day a little bit better. I had to recommend to Katie that she submit Billbert to Reddit's CatStandingUp subreddit after this picture as well. What a cutie!


    We at StuffCatsWant also thank Katie for submitting Billbert as Cat Of the Week!! Please submit your cat as cat of the week by emailing StuffCatsWant@gmail.com with 5 pictures of your cat(s) and a short description of him or her or them!

    StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    West & Willow Cat Portraits!

    Beast and Lexi Portrait
    West and Willow  makes amazing digital renditions of your pets from any picture you share! You can get an amazing portrait of your furball(s) and immortalize them on your walls!

    Product Name:

    West and Willow Cat Portraits

    Product Type:

    Digital Cat Portraits

    Summary:

    West and Willow's incredibly talented artists take your real life photos and turn them into amazing digital versions that are then printed, shipped to you and easily hung on your wall! It doesn't get any better than this, especially if you want to show off your cat who always hides when your friends come over...

    You can use the code PAWFRIENDS15 to get 15% off your entire order too, perfect for those of you who have multiple pets or who are looking for a couple of different renditions.

    An Essential Overview

    So I’ve owed West and Willow a huge kudos for quite some time now and admittedly with Covid hitting it just took me way too long to get around to writing this. So sorry West and Willow Team!

    I ordered my 2 cat portrait about 6 weeks ago and it arrived at my doorstep about 2 weeks after. Now I had sent two completely separate pictures of Lexi and Beastling, both facing away from one another.

    Lexi and Beastling mostly tolerate one another, so I had asked to get them looking opposite directions to highlight their relationship.  And look at that photo. The West and Willow team hit the nail right on the head. Ignore the glare, I'm just a terrible photographer!

    Beast and Lexi Portrait

    Not only did they capture the likeness of each of these silly cats practically perfectly, I actually rearranged my entire office to hang the frame right above my desk so I can see it constantly while I’m working!

    rearranged office with the portrait on the wall

    Now this did result in me having to buy a couple of cat shelves to put up on the other side of the office. With my desk the cats used to have an easy way to make it up to the window, but since I shifted it they lost their stepping stone and required a new one!

    newly installed cat shelves

    But really, can you blame me? Having this hanging over my desk on a day to day basis is hard to complain about. Especially when you’re basically stuck in the house 24/7 for weeks on end with the lockdown taking place.


    Installation / Hanging

    Now let’s get into the nuts and bolts of the photo and the frame.  It came packed very well with plenty of space and security to keep it safe. With a bit of Windex I took off the dust from the package and it was ready to hang!

    packaged photo frame

    It is super lightweight and easy to handle. And it comes with easy to use instructions, nails and plastic guides and tape to put your level right on top of the portrait to ensure it isn't crooked!

    Hanging nails

    I really honestly can’t say enough good things about it. The only thing really left to do is to try and get Lexi and Beast next to it for a photo op. But as I stated, they aren’t exactly huge fans of one another lately so that seems like a bit of a pipe dream!


    Closing It Up

    West and Willow Team, you did a beautiful job and I really can’t thank you enough for enabling me to adorn my wall with such an awesome digital representation of my favorite two kitty cats!

    West and Willow Pet Portraits


    5

    The Good Stuff:
    • Beautiful digital portraits
    • Super easy to order
    • Arrives quickly
    • Super easy to hang
    • Great customer service
    • Multiple framing options
    The Bad Stuff:
    • There isn't enough room on my walls to hang more of them...

    Don't forget to use the code PAWFRIENDS15 to get 15% off your entire order too!

    The 7 Best Laser Toys For Cats 2021 [Safe and Fun!]

    a cat looking at a laser dot with text that says the best cat laser toys

    Cats absolutely love to play and one of their favorite ways to play is to hunt.

    Laser toys for cats are flat out one of the easiest and most engaging toys available to keep your cat entertained and in shape.

    Below we'll take a look at some of the best options to choose from and discuss the overall safety of laser toys for your cats.


    The Best Laser Toys For Cats


    Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser 

    ​There are a bunch of different automated laser toys on the market that claim to entertain your cat and operate in a random pattern, but Friends Forever has the best in the business!

    If you're looking to find a way to entertain your feline friend without having to manually interact then this is the option for you. A few of the key features worth noting:

    • ​Features a 15 minute automatic shut off so your cat won't get too excited
    • The laser beam is extremely strong and works even in a well lit room
    • Features slow, fast and random patterns to keep your cat entertained and engaged
    • The laser has full 360 degree rotation and will hit both the floor and walls
    • Has a 12 month no questions asked warranty if you encounter any issues
    • It stands about 8.5 inches tall and weighs about a half a pound
    • Operates on 3 AAA batteries so there's no cord to trip over
    "​All our cats love it. Our adult cats, our senior fosters and of course the kittens go absolutely bonkers for it!"

    ​The only key ​area for improvement worth noting is:

    • ​It should feature a wider base to keep it from tipping when it is bumped into. When cats are playing near it they constantly run into it and it does tip over given the light weight and small base.

    USB Laser Pointer 4 in 1 Pack

    USB charging laser pointer for cats

    ​If you're the hands on kind of ​gal or guy when it comes to playing with your cats then this is the best type of laser pointer available.  

    It charges super easily with a USB cord, no more pesky battery change and making sure your AR41s or LR13s will work property in your laser pointer.

    It is of course lightweight and easy to keep handy at any time as well which makes it great if your cat travels or changes locations often.

    A few other items worth noting:

    • Three functions in one: LED Laser, UV Detector & White Light Flashlight
    • Has a slide on switch you don't have to hold down the entire time
    • Features an extremely bright LED laser light usable any time of the day
    • Charges by USB cord, plug it into any charging block or port ​<= 5 volts
    • Also has a UV detector which is a great addition for detecting pet urine stains in case you're having any spraying issues
    • ​Pocket clip and wrist strap make it easy to keep handy in any situation
    • It measures about 3 inches in length and weighs about 2.5 ounces
    "​The laser remains very small and strong even when pointed all the way across the room. Makes it super easy to let my cats stalk around multiple pieces of furniture before they pounce!"

    ​It is worth noting the following before purchasing:

    • ​The charging ​port has been noted ​as a key concern for many ​users, it easily breaks and pulls out of the housing. ​If you receive a poor quality one you can easily get a new one free of charge by contacting the manufacturer.

    SereneLife Auto Rotating LED

    ​One of the toughest parts of many automated laser toys is getting them to display the laser on a surface of choice. Most you can only set on the floor and then let them spin in circles.

    SereneLife developed this innovative cube based model to allow you to easily move and rotate the cube into any convenient place and then let it shine down.

    You can easily set it on shelves, tables, couches, etc. and then flip it on to let your kitty play!

    A few other items worth calling out:

    • ​Perfect for turning any surface into a playground, just rotate the cube and push start
    • Features ​four different speeds: slow, medium, fast and pause for manual play
    • Follows a random path to ensure your cat practices those hunting and pouncing skills
    • Automatic shut off after 30 minutes of play time to ensure the batteries don't drain
    • Runs on 3 AA batteries, go for rechargeable ones as your cats will ​love​ this toy
    • Nice and quiet, you can barely hear it unless you're standing right next to it
    • Far less likely to require you to ​stand it back up if the cats do knock it over given design
    • Measures about 5 x 5 x 3 inches so it travels well too
    "​The ​cube type design ​means I can place the ​toy ​anywhere in the house and point the laser ​pretty much anywhere I want. ​It has worked great from my window sills and some of the small shelves we have. "

    ​The only real ​issue I have ​noticed with it is:

    • ​The battery life can run out quickly so rechargeable batteries are the best option

    Frolicat Bolt Laser Cat Toy

    ​PetSafe has been in the cat toy space for a long time ​so they have a lot of experience making high quality toys to keep cats engaged.

    The FroliCat Bolt is their version of an automated laser toy and you can read the full specs on the  ​FroliCat page on the PetSafe website.

    A few major items worth calling out on the Bolt:

    • You can use the adjustable mirror to put the laser on different surfaces/areas
    • Features an automatic and manual mode in case you want to play too
    • ​Features a Class IIIa laser with a 5mW max power output for a safe play experience
    • ​Has a 15 minute automatic timer to keep your cat from getting overstimulated
    • ​It runs on 4 AA batteries which gives it solid battery life and a bit more weight
    • Stands about 8.5 inches tall, weighs about half a pound and is best used on the floor
    "​We recently fostered Jenevive and she was a very very play focused cat, she had a huge 'prey drive' as the shelter called it. She needed to play constantly or she'd get bored and then destructive! This toy helped a ton and kept her entertained easily!"

    ​There are two items worth noting on the PetSafe FloliCat bolt:

    • The newest iteration of the bolt has been noted as significantly faster and louder which has made it hard for many cats to engage effectively
    • There are no variable speed modes so you can't control for a cat that likes a slower or faster laser, what you get is what you get

    PetDroid Hanging Laser Toy

    ​If you've tried other automatic cat toys and you can't seem to get your cats to stop knocking the toy over then the PetDroid Boltz is ​the perfect solution.

    The claim to fame with this option is you can ​mount it to a window or wall out of reach and then let it safely shine the laser down ​where your cats can play with it.

    A few of the big things worth noting on this option:

    • ​Easily mount it to a wall or window using the built in mount or suction cup
    • The automatic timer turns it off after 10 minutes of interactive play time
    • The laser moves in random patterns to keep your kitty engaged and excited
    • Runs on 3 AAA batteries and has a nice long battery life for many play sessions
    • Can cover far more area than most laser toys by mounting it in a high spot
    "​After using tons of laser toys, my favorite thing about this one is how random the patterns seem compared to other ​major brands I've tried out. And if I mount it up high it easily covers a huge area instead of a tiny little spot."

    ​The biggest concern with the PetDroid Boltz is this:

    • **​Given the flexibility in mounting it and the shorter timer you can often find yourself climbing back up on a chair to turn it back on. A longer timer would be ideal.  

    ​**PetDroid did release a new version in 2019 that has a 10 minute timer. The original version had a 5 minute timer. I have yet to try ​the new version.


    PetSafe Auto Laser Tail

    ​Tired of stand still models where only the laser itself moves? The PetSafe Laser Tail shifts the paradigm of interactive laser cat toys!

    This one actually moves itself around the floor and makes lots of random turns and patterns. Note that the laser is fixed. So you won't see the laser ​also​ moving in random patterns on top of the movement.

    This toy is tons of fun for cats and not only will they chase the laser, the movement of the toy itself will also keep them engaged!

    A few major items worth noting here:

    • ​Moves around the floor in random patterns and shines a laser behind it
    • Fully equipped with a 10 minute shut off to minimize battery use and over stimulation
    • Will easily entertain multiple cats at the same time
    • Rounded design helps stop it from getting stuck, great on wood and tile
    • Operates on 3 AA batteries which you can easily change out
    • Easily turns on with the click of a single button, no complicated controls
    "​One of the best purchases I've made in the past couple of years. It easily keeps all 3 of my 2-4 year old cats entertained either at the same time or at different times. They'll even start chasing each other around after I flip it on!"

    ​The biggest item worth noting before making a purchase is:

    • ​Will not operate effectively on medium or high pile carpet and may struggle on even low pile carpet depending on design

    FroliCat Zip Laser Toy

    ​The FroliCat Zip is very similar to the PetSafe Tail model. It will drive around the house and a trailing laser will keep your cats engaged and in prowling and pouncing mode!

    This is the perfect type of toy for a house with a lot of tile or hardwood floor, or even a 'cat room' with hardwood or tile floor where it can be set and let go.

    A few key features worth noting on this model:

    • ​Moves around the floor and has a laser tail that follows it as it spins and rotates
    • ​The automated timer will turn it off after about 10 minutes of play time
    • Works extremely well on wood and tile floors and on low profile rugs too
    • Uses 3 AAA batteries to power it and will last many play sessions on a single charge
    "​My cats are awe struck when I turn this on. They follow it around and pounce on the laser like they are in a trance. I always use a wand toy after ​to make sure they actually get a 'kill' like the vet says is important! "

    ​Similar to the Tail the key concern with this model is:

    • ​It'll easily get stuck on carpeting and may even get stuck uonder couches and chairs during regular operation, you have to keep an eye on it unless it is an empty room

    ​PetSafe Zoom MultiCat Laser Toy

    petsafe frolicat zoom laser toy

    ​Got multiple cats and want them each to have their own laser to chase? The PetSafe Zoom is specially designed to put two lasers out on the floor and walls together.

    This is the perfect choice if you've got cats who don't really like to share, but both really like to go after that uncatchable red dot!

    The Zoom has many similarities to other floor based models, but it is a bit bigger and more stable because of it.

    A few other items worth noting on the Zoom:

    • ​Perfect for multi cat households as it displays ​lasers symmetrically
    • The laser will hit both the floor and the walls ​(unless you have a massive space)
    • It operates very quietly so it won't scare off your cats
    • Uses a pet safe Class IIIA laser with a 5 mw Max power output ​
    • Push the button and let it run, it'll turn itself off after 15 minutes of ​use
    • Operates on 3 AA batteries
    "​We've got two cats in the house and not only do they sometimes hunt the same dot, but they often each choose a dot and hunt side by side. It is a riot to watch them go hunting together!"

    ​The biggest concern with this model is:

    • ​There aren't any speed selection capabilities and you cannot operate the toy in a manual ​mode either


    Additional Information


    Types of Laser Toys For Cats

    There are two core types of laser toys available for our feline friends. The manual kind and the automatic kind.  There's also the more unique overlap toy that has both manual capabilities and can be used in an auto mode too.

     Below you'll find a brief break down of each and the pros and cons.

    Manual Laser Toys

    Manual laser toys are most commonly known as laser pointers. You've probably seen them in use in the office or at school. They are typically easily held in the hand and they are about half the length of a pen.

    The reason they are considered manual is because they require you to physically turn on the light, move it around and stay engaged to entertain your feline friend. There are several pros to this:

    • Manual laser pointers can move in very erratic and unpredictable patterns
    • They often have interchangeable tips that will display different patterns on the ground
    • They are dirt cheap, easy to use and small enough to easily carry in your pocket
    • Fully controllable and you can easily turn it on and off as necessary

    At the same time there are some things worth cautioning with manual laser toys:

    • You have to engage to keep your cat engaged, if you're too lazy to play your cat loses out too
    • They are extremely easy to lose because you often leave them in your pocket

    Automatic Laser Toys

    Automatic laser toys are as the title says, automatic. What this essentially means is that you can flip the toy on and it will start displaying a red laser dot on the floors and potentially the walls.

    There are some significant benefits to this kind of toy, especially for busy folks that don't always have time to play with their cat on a dedicated basis. The key pros:

    • Most of them are equipped with an automatic timer to run for 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes then turn off
    • They take the requirement of your time out of the equation, flip it on and let your kitty play
    • They are still in a very affordable range for most automated cat toys, most come in at prices between 15-25 dollars

    That being said, there are some things you'll definitely want to consider before purchasing any form of automated toy for your cat, but automated laser pointers in particular:

    • Most of these toys aren't as random and erratic as they are advertised to be, this often results in the toy performing the same patterns over and over and your cats getting bored
    • You have very little control over the toy which can result in quick boredom or the light shining places you'd rather it didn't shine (like up on the walls)
    • Many of the models are easily knocked over by your cat when she is playing which renders the rest of the session mostly useless

    The Cross Over Laser Toy

    There are a few laser toys out there that will bring you the best of both worlds. They will have an automatic mode that lets the laser run on its own, but you'll also be able to pick the toy up and manually control it.

    The only major drawback of these toys is that when used in the manual mode the toy is pretty inconvenient to hold because it is significantly larger than a traditional hand held laser pointer.


    ​Which Features Are Important?

    ​Laser based toys usually have a couple of key features that you'll want to take into account. Below we'll break those down and call out what's worth paying attention to.

    Speed Modes

    ​The speed of a laser can determine wither or not your cat is willing to interact with it. If it moves too slowly or too quickly it can be frustrating or boring.

    Since every cat is different it is difficult to create a one size fits all speed and expect it to be successful. Purchasing a model with multiple speeds is ideal so you can switch it up to see what works best for your cat(s).

    Some models feature: low, medium, high and even random.

    ​​Auto & Manual Use

    Automatic laser toys are of course intended to be used as hands off toys. But getting your cat used to a new toy or joining in on the fun yourself will usually require an additional mode.

    Several of these automatic toys feature a button to flip them into manual or paused mode where you can easily take control of the hunt yourself at a critical time!

    ​Location of Use

    ​Any automatic toy needs to be setup somewhere to shine the light down onto the floor or the play area.  You'll want to consider how rambunctious your cats are in your selection.

    There are ​options that you can mount to walls and windows, those you can set on shelves or tables and there are of course the most traditional which you set right on the floor.

    Keep in mind that many of the floor based tower models are easily knocked over by extra playful cats that get curious about the operational noises and the source of the light.

    ​Number of Cats

    The bulk of automated toys are designed to project one laser at a time. There are a few models (like the Zoom) that will project multiple lasers.

    Single laser models typically can keep multiple cats entertained at the same time. They will often trade off on hunting and pouncing or just watch the laser together.

    It is worth noting however that ​if you have multiple cats ​it can in limited cases cause your cats to start wrestling with one another or even fighting over the dot. A multiple laser system is guaranteed to resolve this, but it does present more options to your cats.

    Shape of the Laser

    Laser pointers often come with attachments that will turn them into a mouse or a butterfly or a bug of some sort.  Mostly all this really does is make it seem like your cat is chasing around something different than a light. It doesn't make much difference to the cat at all since they are mostly after the light itself, not the shape of the light.

    I would traditionally recommend you simply use the standard dot focused attachment. It keeps the light brighter and more centralized into a single spot so your cat can keep a closer eye on it.


    Are Lasers Safe For Cats?

    The biggest concern most pet owners have when it comes to laser pointers is whether or not the laser is safe for their cat.

    They often wonder if it is dangerous for the laser to end up near their cat's eyes.

    The short of it is that with a manual laser pointer you simply want to avoid both your own eyes and your cats eyes.

    Shining it near your cats eyes for a split second shouldn't cause any harm, but do your best to avoid your cats face.

    You can also look for the designation of a specific kind of light being used that is considered "pet safe."  ​PetSafe as a company  commonly touts their lights as pet safe (funny right?) ​and they use a "Class IIIA laser with a 5 mw Max power output."

    ​It is worth noting that pretty much any commerically available laser is probably safe to use so long as it isn't being shone directly into the eyes for any extended period of time.


    Are Laser Toys Stressful for Cats?

    The biggest safety problem for cats with laser pointers has nothing to do with the laser itself and everything to do with the way they interact with it.

    When cats go after the big red dot they are basically hunting. They stalk, they pounce, they expect to end up capturing something at the end of it. But with a laser pointer they never capture anything. Ever.

    When a cat constantly plays and ends up catching nothing it can end up being very frustrating and stressful for a small minority of cats. Dr. Marty Becker from Vetstreet calls this the 'never win the game' problem.

    Most cats have no issues winding down from a play hunting session, but those that do can actually have significant side effects from laser based toys.

    Stress based over grooming is by far one of the most common results.

    This video from Simon's cat does an excellent job quickly summing up the problem.

    The good news is that there's an easy way to deal with this type of behavior if you recognize it in your cat.  Simply have multiple toys handy during your play session.

    You can start off with a laser based toy and then switch to a wand toy or any other type of toy that your cat absolutely loves during the play session.

    You can even use the laser pointer to point at a wand or another toy. This ensures your cat lands on and 'kills' something in their laser hunting session!

    This will get you all the benefits of the laser pointer and engagement with it, but it'll ensure your cat doesn't develop stress or anxiety because she wasn't able to actually capture anything.


    Why Do Cats Love the Red Dot?

    You may wonder why cats go absolutely bonkers for laser toys and it is a fair question. For a period of time back in the 90s kids went nuts for them when they were shone on movie screens, but after that they really weren't that exciting.

    So why are they so exciting for cats?


    Wrap Up

    Laser and light based toys are great options for cats, especially those with extremely high prey drives. They not only are easy to use, but these days there are a ton of automated options you can consider toy.  That being said, I still think the best laser toys for cats are your traditional hand held manual laser pointers.

    If you have any questions or would like to leave your own thoughts about laser pointers please add a comment below!  Thanks for reading.

    StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Cats Of the Week – Colleen and Colette – April 14th, 2019

    Colleen and Colette, two tabby cats

    This week's Cats of the Week are my foster cats from PAWS Chicago, Colleen and Colette. They've just finished their stint as fosters in my house after about two months and they are ready to find their forever home!

    Colleen and Colette are of course sisters if you couldn't tell. They are about 10 months old and they are absolutely adorable!

    Colleen and colette hiding in their bareel

    We brought them into foster because they are shy.  The first two weeks in the house they mostly stayed this way, they hid in their kitty furniture and their safe spot carrier and didn't interact much at all and hardly made a peep beyond eating!

    But as soon as we started cracking the door open to the rest of the house they changed extensively. They started to explore very quickly and had no issue running all over the house in 'army crawl' mode.

    Climbing on the chairs!

    They were on the hunt to find out the best nooks and crannies to hide in and to observe from.  They quickly wandered the whole house without issue.

    Colette is definitely the more adventurous of the two and always leads the way. The second doors pop open she is the one to charge in and then potentially charge out.  Colleen will then quickly follow after if she's in the mood.

    Colleen and colette debating going in the closet

    These are by far two of the nicest most gentle cats we have ever encountered. No matter what we did it never once caused a negative response. Not that we tried for one.

    But as any cat owner knows, loud noises take place from outside, things fall, you can startle a cat easily. Not once did it ever result in a scratch, a swat, a nip, anything. Instead they were more likely to run off and hide in a catbox or behind one of the many other boxes in the house

    Both of them looking up from next to a chair

    The worst thing we encountered with either of them was that they are very food motivated. That’s a pretty good ‘bad’ thing for a cat!

    Though you do need to be careful when you feed them treats or snacks as in the attempt to get a treat out of your hand they may accidentally catch you with their teeth.

    But only because they are so darn excited to get the treats! We found placing treats on the ground was by far the most effective way to give them snacks.

    A few other key items worth noting:

    • They absolutely loved our resident cats and our resident cat Lexi loved playing with them. The three of them chased each other, wrestled and played all the time.
    • They are excellent at chasing flies. We had a few drain flies in the house and they went absolutely bonkers for them until they batted them out of the air.
    • They love Cat TV. They will sit at an open front door (screened in of course) and watch the birds and squirrels for hours on end.  They never pounced on the door.
    All four cats looking out the door

    A few other things they absolutely love!!!

    • The laser pointer. They’d chase it all over and never stop!
    • Wand toys. In particular the Rainbow Cat Charmer was a huge hit for them.
    • Small little fluff balls about half an inch to an inch in diameter. They would bet them everywhere, chase them and even carry them around.
    • Sniffing at the outdoor air. We got a few really nice days where I could open up the front door and let them sniff at the screen. The immediately joined our two resident cats and all four of them hung out sniffing the fresh spring air!
    • No surprise, they love boxes. I have several boxes around the house and they loved going in and out of them all.
    • Crinkly paper is a huge hit. We got a few boxes from Amazon that used large lengths of brown paper to help keep things secure inside the box. They loved this paper. They would run all over the house then jump right into it to make noise then rinse and repeat.

    And a last few notes from my side:

    If you're interested in adopting them please reach out to Chicago PAWS through the website. Their individual profiles can be found here: Colleen and Colette.

    We at StuffCatsWant also thank Chicago PAWS and every other shelter organization for helping save so many animals on a daily basis!! Please submit your cat as cat of the week by emailing StuffCatsWant@gmail.com with 5 pictures of your cat(s) and a short description of him or her or them!

    StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    11 Reasons You Should Foster a Cat [Starting Today]

    a scottish fold cat with the text 11 reasons to foster a cat

    If you've ever debated whether or not you should foster a cat then this article is just for you! Here are 11 wonderful reasons to start fostering a shelter cat today! 

    Check out the infographic by clicking to expand it or simply read on for the detailed notes!

    11 reasons to foster a cat infographic

    a kitten being bottle fed

    1. It Saves a Life By Freeing Up Space In Shelters

    Most animal shelters operate at full capacity pretty much 100% of the time and they often take the most at risk cats out of animal control facilities first. 

    Shelters are often waiting for a cat to go to a home just so they can intake another cat from the local Animal Care and Control facility before it gets euthanized.

    By taking a cat out of the shelter, even temporarily, you free up space for another cat to come into the shelter system.

    These days more and more shelters are becoming no kill which ensures that once the cat comes into the shelter it will be cared for until it is adopted!

    So every cat you foster is basically ensuring another cat life saved!


    a calico cat with a hand under its head

    2. You Might Find a Lifelong Friend

    You'll commonly hear the term 'Failed Foster' floating around animal shelters. It essentially means you fostered a cat or dog and ended up adopting it.

    It is no surprise this happens often. You get to know a cat and you come to love her and voila you've now got another resident cat. That's how we ended up adopting our cat Lexi.

    We had her about a month and she was getting along well enough with our resident cat Beastling. Beast wasn't much of a people cat at the time and Lexi loved cuddling up and she loved playing with Beastling!

    It was a match made in heaven! Four years later they still play daily and Lexi and Beast are both now cuddly as can be with us!


    3. It Gives You Someone To Spoil

    If you're ever feeling guilty about spending money on toys and fun stuff for yourself then stop right there!

    If you're fostering a cat you can spoil the heck out of it and feel good about it cause you're doing something great for the local animal community!

    You can buy all sorts of fun things from cat window beds to astronaut backpacks to a gigantic cat tree

    Kudos to you you good Samaritan! Keep spending and support your local cats!


    two cats sleeping together

    4. Your Resident Cat Might Want a Pal

    Many cats are the sole pet in the household and their pet parents might work long hours or be gone from the house for extended periods.

    Cats do of course enjoy their solitary time. But it is also important that they get plenty of exercise and have something to keep them busy if you're gone for extended periods.

    Being left alone for long periods can result in your kitty keeping you up all night or in worse behavior like damaging your home or furniture.

    Fostering is a great way to identify a potential pal for your resident cat! You get a chance to see how they get along and whether or not they'd be a good fit for one another. 

    If they are a great fit then it might be the perfect time to adopt a pal!

    And if they aren't a great fit you may verify that your resident cat is simply better off as a single cat! Either way you've done a service that was great for the foster kitty!


    meeting a cat and giving it a treat

    5. You Get To Meet A Cat Before Adopting

    Let's be honest. We all know someone that has fostered a cat and ended up adopting that cat. I'm no stranger to this. That's how we ended up with our cat Lexi!

    While calling fostering 'try it before you buy it' sounds unappealing, there is some truth to it. Especially if you already have a resident cat.

    We are fortunate enough to have a spare room to foster cats in. We almost always introduce our foster cat(s) to our resident cats after a few days or weeks. It depends on the cat.

    But if you're already looking to adopt another cat and you want to see if your cat and the foster are a fit it gives you an extended opportunity to test the waters.

    While some cat relationships are complex and may take months or even years to fully develop, a few weeks is certainly a great way to get a general guide.

    Some cats are simply better off alone. Some cats want a pal. And some are in the middle. A month or two month long fostering session may be exactly what you need to determine the fit.

    And if it doesn't work out the foster session still has tons of benefits for the kitty you've been temporarily watching over! Win win for everyone.


    playing with a cat to help it get used to people

    6. You Get To Socialize Awesome Cats

    If you love playing with cats then fostering is a great way to get a fix. Cats of almost any age still love to play!

    When you're fostering you get constant opportunities to play with any cat toy that comes to mind.

    Sometimes I think I've ended up buying more toys for my foster cats than I have for my resident cats.

    My resident cats of course always get the hand me downs once the fosters go on to a forever home, so everyone wins!


    7. Every Cat is Unique, Experience It All

    One thing I can say for sure is that every cat I've ever encountered is unique. Most cats have similar tendencies (they like to be up high, they meow for attention, don't touch their stomach etc.), but they all have special traits too.

    Our foster cat Buzz loved to dip is paw in water then lick water off his paw. Jill would only drink water from a tall glass. Summer would only eat if you were petting her while she ate.

    Kittens will knock their water fountain over or go swimming in it!

    You get to see all sorts of hilarious behavior and hear all sorts of one of a kind meows and trills that each cat has developed to communicate with their humans.

    If nothing else it is fun just to experience all the new things each cat brings to the table! 


    a cat sleeping soundly in its home

    8. Finding the Right Furrever Home is Easier

    Learning about each cat makes it far easier to help determine what type of home will be ideal for it to live in long term.

    If you've got a dog and it is obvious the cat doesn't like dogs then that information can be captured and used to filter out families looking for a cat that already have a dog.

    The same be true of young children, certain genders, loud noises, etc. Cats are unique and each has their own personality and quirks. Identifying as many of these as possible during a foster session ensures that the shelter can align the right home the first time.

    Finding the right home the first time is extremely important. Given that cats don't tend to like being moved around to new environments it can be devastating when they spend an extended period of time in a home and then get returned to the shelter because it wasn't the right fit.


    9. Cats With Foster Reports Are Easier to Get Adopted

    A foster report is basically something the foster parent writes up on the kitty after staying in the home for a few weeks or months. It details all their quirks, their fun habits, anything to look out for, etc.

    I volunteer at Chicago PAWS on a recurring basis. Cats, especially adult cats, with a foster report are a heck of a lot easier to get adopted.

    This is because a lot of shelters operate heavily on volunteer hours and most volunteers aren't available on a daily basis.

    This means that when volunteers are trying to match cats to adopters it can be hard to know which cat to focus show!

    A foster report makes it that much easier for the volunteers to learn about the cat and point the right family to that cat when they come in!


    10. There Isn't a Long Term Commitment, But There Could Be...

    Pets are a lot of work. Dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, snakes. All of them.  Some people want to have pets, but don't have the stamina or the desire to keep an animal their entire life.

    Fostering is an excellent way to give a pet a break for several weeks or even months but not have a lifelong commitment.

    The longest we've fostered is 2 months and it was an excellent break for the cat from the shelter.  So much so that our foster Buzz went back to the shelter and was adopted within a couple of days.

    Fostering is the perfect fit for people who want a pet fix but who still want the flexibility of going on long vacations, working long hours, or staying out late at night without concern.

    Or even if you simply don't want the permanent responsibility of a pet but still want to help your local animal community!


    a cat sitting on a laptop

    11. You Get to Constantly Learn

    If you're a life long learner and you're always curious then a foster cat can be a great doorway into learning.

    Since cats have tons of weird behaviors (at least they are weird to us humans) then you get to research all sorts of fun stuff each time you see a new one!

    Why is my cat pawing at the ground around her bowl?

    Why do cats love being scratched on the chin, but don't want you to touch their stomach?

    How do I transition a cat from one litter type to another?

    The possibilities are endless and the fun is limitless!


    Other Things To Consider

    While I absolutely love fostering cats and highly recommend it to others there are of course other things you should consider before diving right in.

    You can check out this article from PetMD about determining whether or not you're read to foster cats. PetFinder.com also has an excellent set of resources to help you foster effectively and ensure you're ready for what comes with it.

    I'm quite familiar with several of the available places to foster cats in Chicago (Chicago PAWS, Treehouse, The Anti Cruelty Society and many more...), but you can find foster opportunities anywhere by simply googling 'foster cats [ZIP]' and inserting your zip code.


    If you've got your own story to tell about fostering a cat please to share it below in the comments!

    We always love to hear positive stories about cats ending in a 'failed foster' or finding their forever home after a wonderful foster session!

    Thanks for reading and please share this article and infographic with your friends and families!

    Cat Of the Week – Athena – April 8th, 2019

    Athena relaxing

    This week's cat of the week is Athena and comes submitted to us by her human Jekka! We thank her for submitting Athena to us.

    Athena is a dignified four year old lady who came to Jekka about a year ago, when the shelter she volunteers for (The Animal Welfare Society) asked if Jekka would take Athena as a foster.  

    Athena and the resident cat Mako

    Athena had just come in as a stray and was a pretty sorry sight -- she'd had to be shaved to get rid of all of her matted fur, she was hard to approach, even harder to touch.  

    Athena was lucky they asked the volunteer that had already developed a bit of a reputation for taking in the 'trainwreck' cats!

    Jekka had also seen her in the shelter before and found her utterly darling, so she couldn't say no to such an adorable fur ball. And as with many of us fosters, she hadn't hadn't planned on keeping Athena permanently, but since she had already fostered failed three times it wasn't completely impossible.

    Mako, the resident cat

    Unfortunately Athena didn't seem to get along with the resident cat of the household, Mako, and Mako makes the rules in the house! You can see Athena cuddled up way in the background on the other couch!

    A few weeks into staying with Mako Athena's disposition changed completely! She got mouth surgery to treat her for severe stomatitis, an inflammation at the stoma of the teeth.  

    Stomatitis can be very painful and dangerous if left alone and Jekka suspects that Athena's mouth hurt so much she was afraid to be touched.  Once that was taken care of, Athena became a whole new cat, with one ridiculous remaining fang.  

    Then one day Athena was spotted grooming Mako and Mako was just soaking it up, Jekka knew she was done for.  She might not have to brush Athena as much anymore if she can convince Mako to return the favor.

    While writing the submission for Athena she and Mako were chasing each other around the house trilling at each other and being their ridiculous selves.  

    Athena being all poofy

    Now that Athena's fur's grown back she's a poofy, lovely goofball, and she is all Jekka's!

    We at StuffCatsWant also thank Jekka for submitting Athena as Cat Of the Week!! Please submit your cat as cat of the week by emailing StuffCatsWant@gmail.com with 5 pictures of your cat(s) and a short description of him or her or them!

    StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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