Cat furniture can be luxurious and modern, just like furniture for humans. If you want the best for your cat, take a look at the best cat furniture options. After all, you don’t want to purchase the wrong (or just plain ugly) piece of furniture for your cat.
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Do cats need furniture?
Do cats need furniture? They sure do! Cats may use furniture for a different reason than humans, but it’s an important part of a happy pet household. It is in cats’ natures to climb, rest, and scratch. Here's why cat furniture is beneficial:
- Exercise and climbing: Cats have a natural instinct to climb and jump. Furniture like cat trees provides vertical space, allowing them to stay active.
- Scratching: Scratching is a natural behavior for cats to mark territory and maintain healthy claws. Scratching posts or cat trees provide a designated spot for this behavior, helping protect your home’s furniture.
- Mental stimulation: Cat furniture with different levels or hiding spots keeps your cat mentally engaged, reducing boredom and destructive behavior.
- Reducing stress: Providing cats with dedicated spaces to climb, scratch, and perch can help them feel more in control of their environment, reducing stress. Cat shelves or perches can also be used to observe their surroundings or rest.
Having this option will only help them be happier and healthier cats.
What makes a good piece of cat furniture?
Ask yourself this question: What makes a good piece of furniture for you? Is it comfortable, practical, what you need, and worth the cost? Here are some of the main points of consideration when it comes to cat furniture:
Material
Find a good material for your cat that they will love and utilize, ideally featuring sisal, carpet, cardboard, or wood. It must be able to withstand frequent use, especially if your cat loves to climb, jump, or scratch. Heavy bases and strong materials also ensure your cat furniture won't tip over.
Scratching surfaces
Cats love scratching surfaces like sisal rope, carpet, or corrugated cardboard. These materials should be durable enough to endure repeated scratching.
Comfortable lounging areas
Cats also like to relax, so cozy hammocks, padded perches, or hideaway spots provide them a place to rest.
Easy to clean
Look for removable or washable parts, like cushions or mats, to maintain hygiene. This will be especially important if it is to become your new cat’s favorite!
Purpose
Every piece of furniture has a purpose. Your side table is not meant for lounging. Your bed is specifically made for you to sleep on. Cat furniture, like a beautiful cat tree, has its own specific use. A cat tree is used to be played, exercised, and slept on. You should be looking to buy a piece of cat furniture with a goal in mind.
Appropriate size
Whatever type of cat furniture you choose, it should be appropriately sized for your cat (especially if they are larger breeds) and fit well in your space without dominating the room.
Stylish design
As it becomes part of your home, modern designs and neutral colors such as white, beige, black, or wood can help the furniture blend with your decor, making it functional and aesthetically pleasing.
How to keep a cat from scratching furniture
Here are some effective ways to keep a cat from scratching furniture:
- Cover furniture: Temporarily cover the furniture with double-sided tape, aluminum foil, or plastic furniture guards. Cats don’t like the texture and will avoid scratching it.
- Provide scratching posts: Place sturdy scratching posts near furniture they tend to scratch. Ensure the posts are tall enough for your cat to stretch fully and covered with materials like sisal that attract them.
- Use cat deterrent sprays: Apply a cat-safe spray on furniture to discourage scratching. Cats dislike the scent, which helps keep them away.
- Trim your cat’s nails: Regularly trim your cat’s nails to reduce damage. You can also use nail caps (soft covers) to minimize scratching impact.
- Reward good behavior: Reward your cat when they use scratching posts. You can use treats, praise, or playtime to reinforce this behavior.
- Provide cat toys: Provide interactive toys to engage your cat and divert their energy from destructive scratching.
- Invest in cat furniture: Well-designed cat furniture is more appealing to cats due to its texture, height, and design. By offering them their own space, they are less likely to scratch sofas or chairs.
These methods combined will reduce furniture scratching while keeping your cat happy and healthy.
Best cat furniture options
Here are some of the best pieces of modern cat furniture for your cat.
Cat Shelf (2-Pack)
We get it: You may not have the space for a modern cat tree or the inclination for a bold piece of cat furniture. These wall-mounted shelves with a reversible configuration are ideal for active cats that love to jump, as well as cats that simply want a spot away from the activity.
Best for
The cat shelf is best for cats that love to hop and chill. Cats have the opportunity to jump up to a small shelf to sit and relax.
Special features
These wall-mounted shelves come with soft grey cushions. They are designed with reversible configuration in mind, which means you can mount each of them differently to give your room some variety.
Benefits
Mount these shelves anywhere on the wall at any desired height for your cat. You can easily put the two shelves next to each other or separate them at an optimal jumping distance.
Disadvantages
Drilling is required. These shelves have sharp edges, so they’re not considered child-friendly.
Pricing
$129 plus tax.
Litter-Robot Cabinet
Not all cat furniture is for climbing. The Litter-Robot Cabinet is a piece of furniture built to hide your litter box. A compact enclosure that holds any Litter-Robot model or a traditional litter box behind furniture-grade cabinetry.
Best for
The Litter-Robot Cabinet is best for apartments and smaller rooms where floor space is the constraint. At 35.43" W x 27" D x 36.18" H, it takes up about as much room as a standard sideboard.
Special features
The side entry is configurable on the left or right, so the opening can face whichever direction your room allows. A pull-out base gives you 360° access to the unit, and the durable laminate finish stands up to everyday wear. It's built in partnership with Sauder and assembled in the USA.
Benefits
The enclosed design keeps the litter area tucked away from the rest of the room, which helps contain odor and gives your cat privacy. It fits every current Litter-Robot model and works with LitterHopper for Litter-Robot 4, 5, and 5 Pro.
Disadvantages
Assembly is required, and opened furniture can't be returned, so measure your space first. The Cabinet also isn't compatible with any Litter-Robot ramp.
Pricing
As low as $499.
Litter-Robot Credenza
The Litter-Robot Credenza is the larger of Whisker's two enclosures, and the extra width is what makes it genuinely multi-functional. It hides the litter box and still works as a real piece of living room furniture.
Best for
The Credenza is best when you want the surface as much as the storage. At 51.34" W x 27" D x 36.18" H, roughly 16 inches wider than the Cabinet, it works as a TV console or entryway piece, with room inside for litter and supplies as well.
Special features
Same configurable left- or right-side entry and pull-out base as the Cabinet, in a wider footprint. Also built with Sauder and assembled in the USA, with a laminate finish designed to handle daily use.
Benefits
The spacious interior fits any Litter-Robot model with room to spare, which makes it the easier choice for larger cats or for anyone using LitterHopper. It's compatible with LitterHopper for Litter-Robot 4, 5, and 5 Pro, and with the Litter-Robot 4 Ramp.
Disadvantages
It's a large, heavy piece that requires assembly and can't be returned once opened. It fits the Litter-Robot 4 Ramp but not the Litter-Robot 5 or EVO ramps.
Pricing
As low as $599.
