New Cat Furniture Tips
Cats are notoriously finicky creatures. It’s widely joked that they’ll ignore most cat toys in favor of crumpled paper and cardboard boxes, so you may wonder if investing in luxury cat furniture is a major risk. It’s not. And cats aren’t often as contrary as they’re portrayed, either. Even if your own kitty has proven to be less grateful for your gifts than you’ve hoped, there are several steps you can take to entice your cat to use new cat furniture, and we’ll tell you how.
Location, location, location
It’s not just important for human real estate . . . it matters to cats, too! In fact, location probably matters more to your cat than it does to you. Cats choose their favorite spots to frequent based on survival instincts, not just comfort, so placing a new cat tree in a spot that promotes a sense of security and maybe even encourages their innate hunting instincts is the easiest way to encourage use. Placing a new cat tree in the middle of a room or near a busy door or loud appliance is unlikely to appeal—these spots are likely to be perceived as threatening and won’t encourage naps or even play. Instead, consider a spot near a quiet window in a room your cat already frequents. Cats love sunlight, and having a high vantage point to look out at the neighborhood also appeals to the nosy nature that makes them such stellar hunters and survivors. Corners are also excellent options for any new cat items, offering two sides of built-in security for safe exploration and use.
Stink it down
Well, sorta. Cats make many decisions based on scent, so it’s worth a little trickery here if you’re afraid your cat won’t immediately take to new cat furniture. PetMD explains that cats use scent glands all over their heads (and other places) to leave their pheromones on familiar objects and places, marking their territory. This is why your cat rubs its cheeks on doorways, your leg, and anywhere else it’s comfortable. If you’re bringing new cat furniture into your home, you can help that item get on your cat’s good side by adding her scent to it. Rub a soft cloth against your cat’s cheeks, and then rub the new furniture with the same cloth. If your cat won’t allow this somewhat invasive technique, take items they already use and rub them on the new furniture. Blankets and cat beds will have the most of their scent on them already, but even toys will work if they play with them often enough.
Break out the nipper
If your cat is one of the many who love catnip, this is an excellent opportunity to put that addiction to good use. Sprinkling catnip on a new cat tree or inside a cozy cat cave is a temptation most nip-loving kitties won’t be able to refuse, at least for a minute or two. And getting your cat into or on the new cat furniture for the first time is the biggest hurdle you’ll face, so consider it a win even if he doesn’t stick around long. He’ll be leaving his scent behind and associating the new furniture with positive experiences, so you’re greatly increasing the odds that he’ll return. For abstainers, cat treats can also work here.
Reverse psychology
It’s reasonably true that making a big deal about something or forcing your cat to encounter it often makes cats avoid that object in the future. It’s not because your cat intentionally wants to thwart your efforts. It’s because commotions and physical relocations are seen as security threats by the majority of cats, so you’re instantly telling your kitty that this new item is a problem if you’re fussing over it or physically relocating her to be on/in it. You’re much better off bringing the furniture into its new location with the same level of fanfare as bringing in the groceries and giving your cat some time to try discovering it on her own. As excited as you may be, you need to play it cool and pretty much act like you don’t care about it. Still, a backdoor way of getting your cat nearer to the new furniture is through playtime. Grab your cat’s favorite laser, wand, etc., and play in the same room as the new piece. Get closer to it as you play, without acknowledging it, and eventually drag the toys across the furniture, encouraging your cat to explore the new piece without even necessarily realizing it.
Make a smart choice
Cats are as unique as we are, so it certainly helps to carefully select cat furniture that appeals to your specific kitty. If your cat is super active and loves scratching, look for a taller tree with plenty of scratch-friendly surfaces, like Ivy 3. If he’s more of a loner and hider, you might want to look for a tree with a built-in cave, like Alba. Personalizing your choice to your cat’s preferences instead of just yours can make a major difference in whether or not he’ll love and use it.
Desperate measures
If all else fails and you just can’t get your cat to explore a new tree, cave, or mounted shelf, you can always turn to the tried-and-true exploitation of food motivation. While it’s generally best to feed your cat in the same location consistently, desperate times call for desperate measures, and it won’t upset the balance of the universe to relocate her food bowl for a few meals. Feed her on the tree, and she’ll almost certainly sit there for at least the duration of the meal, acclimating her to the new investment and creating positive associations.