Are you considering buying a claw tree / cat tree for your cat? In this article, we explain why it can be important to have a claw tree at home. We also go through what is good to think about when buying a claw tree, and list which claw trees we think are affordable.
Why claw trees?
Cats have natural needs that need to be met just like us humans. One of these needs is clawing and this also applies to domestic cats.
Even though the domestic cat has lived close to humans for several thousand years, they still have most of the instincts from life in the wild. There are several reasons why cats have a need to claw, but the biggest reason is believed to be the need to mark out territory.
Other reasons are to stretch the muscles, maintain the claws and remove the cat’s chlorine residue. When cats itch, pheromones are secreted, which sends signals to competing cats.
Cats therefore have a need to claw and this must be satisfied. If there is no obvious place for the cat to scratch, it will find places it finds suitable, such as a sofa or rug. Therefore, it is very important to have some kind of claw tree or similar so that the cat can satisfy its claw needs without disagreeing with you.
Things to keep in mind when choosing claw trees
There are claw trees in many different shapes, sizes and materials. Therefore, it can be difficult to know what will be liked by the cat and be an affordable claw tree.
Size – Cats are used to climbing trees. Therefore, a cat tree where the cat can stretch properly when it scratches is preferable and this is especially important if your cat is an indoor cat. While an outdoor cat satisfies much of its needs when they are outdoors.
Many of the trees sold are far too small to satisfy cats’ needs. Therefore, we recommend that instead of saving money by buying a small claw tree with, for example, houses and areas for the cat, it may be better to buy a little more solid cat trees without houses and surfaces just so that the cat can affirm its innate instincts and that you should have your nice sofa in peace.
As an example, it can be good to buy a tree that extends all the way up to the roof without any surfaces for the cat so that it can fully climb as it does outside. With a Gallop Tree from Kattens No. 1, this can then be supplemented with areas and houses for the cat when the economy or place is available.
Quality – A claw tree should withstand the cat’s claws for many years. Therefore, it is important not to compromise on quality.
Materials – It is important that the cat tree does not contain any toxic materials. We therefore recommend that you shop from Swedish retailers with well-known brands. If you buy from Ebay or similar, it can be difficult to know that the claw tree is not toxic to the cat.
Expand gradually – There are several manufacturers that sell claw trees where you can supplement and buy parts for the claw tree. This is a good way to get the claw tree in the way that suits your place in the home and to spread the costs.
Sleeping place – Cats like to have some shelter where the cat can retreat and sleep undisturbed. These can be small houses or cavities where the cat can also stay warm when it sleeps. The sleeping places do not have to be adjacent to the claw tree, but many claw trees are available with sleeping places for the cat.
Viewpoint – Cats like to keep track, therefore seats at a higher height are popular where the cat can have a good view of what is happening in the home. Having a few places adjacent to the claw tree that are high up will therefore most likely become a favorite place for your cat.