About Kitty Condos

Significance

• What makes the best kitty condos? It depends on the cat. Older cats require lower pieces of furniture because their joints aren't as agile. Younger cats adore looking down at the world from a tall perch on top of their own condo. Cats are drawn to these carpet-covered houses because they must invariably check out every new item in the house. Your cat is more likely to spend his day sleeping in his special condo rather than stretched out on your sofa. This is an added bonus that may keep him from scratching the upholstery on your sofa, rugs and chairs.

Function

• Kitty condos function as a play place for your cat. Consider it like a cat jungle gym. Your cat can romp, hide, dangle, swat, hide toys and sleep in his condo. It's meant to be a living place for your feline friend. Long afternoon naps are the norm in kitty condos. The only thing your cat won't be doing in the condo is eating his meals ... unless, of course, you choose to move the food bowls in.

Features

• Kitty condos come in all shapes and sizes. There are some standard features, though. Remember that the condo is more than a kitty tower. Cat towers are pedestal-type climbing trees for cats. Kitty condos are like a doghouse for your cat. Climbing and scratching posts are added for entertainment.

  True cat condos include an enclosed space with a round or square opening. Much like a cubicle, this enclosed space has one entrance. Cats tend to love enclosed spaces. The condos also have scratching areas for your cat to sharpen his claws. Many condos have center support pedestals that are covered with a thick type of rope called sisal. The sisal is wrapped continuously around the pillar for complete coverage. Cats seem attracted to the sisal and enjoy scratching it.

  Many kitty condos are multilevel. A typical kitty condo will have a square base with a cubby for hiding and two to three posts for scratching. Smaller platforms can be placed on the tops of the pillars to create play spaces. All pieces of the kitty condo are typically covered with carpet or wrapped in sisal rope.

Considerations

• Kitty condos can be expensive. Construction of these cat playgrounds is labor intensive, so many vendors sell kitty condos for considerable prices. The cost of the simplest single-level cat cubes begins at $50. More complex kitty condos with multiple levels and cubes can be priced starting at $150. Customized cat condos with many levels, cubicles, posts and perching spots cost even more. In addition, you'll pay a hefty shipping charge if you order over the web. You'll also have to assemble the kitty condo when it arrives.

Benefits

• Kitty condos not only provide a great place for your cat to call his own, but the multilevel cat houses are also a great opportunity for your house cat to exercise. Having a condo to climb keeps house cats' muscles supple.

  Some cats are immediately drawn to the kitty condos and, as a result, scratch and claw to their heart's content. Scratching is a normal activity for cats that owners often see as a bad habit. It's much more helpful to provide a good place for your cat to scratch and encourage the cat with positive reinforcement and praise.