Cats are naturally drawn to small, tight spaces such as baskets, boxes, and nooks — it's where the popular phrase "If I fits I sits" comes from.
"Being both predators and prey, enclosed spaces provide a place to hide and keep safe, and are perfect for ambushing unsuspecting prey," Lucy Hoile, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) who specializes in these animals told Bored Panda.
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Trying to make their furballs comfortable, people (and businesses) began building them comfy indoor condos, towers, and entire castles where the critters can both take a nap and play around. "Enclosed cat houses help reduce stress and keep cats happy," Hoile explained.
The biggest and poshest of these "structures" can cost hundreds of dollars but a bigger price tag doesn't necessarily mean more purrs.
"They needn’t be expensive, many cats prefer a cardboard box over a conventional cat house. Provide the right size for your cat to fit snuggly inside, make sure it is easily accessible and there are enough to go around if there is more than one cat," Hoile said.
However, a tall and sturdy cat tree might save your home decor. "A cat's territory incorporates all three dimensions and if they can access the space up high (by any means possible), they will," Hoile added.
"Being up high means they can survey their territory from the safest point. Providing tall cat furniture will encourage them to do this appropriately instead of the scaling curtains and bookcases."
Even if your cat's claws cause damage, you can't really blame the animal for it. Their bodies are made to climb!
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