The Internet’s favourite animal is agile and versatile, giving its owners the most freedom to experiment with customised features at home. Cats feel just as comfortable on the ground as they are high up in trees, and they also love to hide and escape escape. Sam Chua, co-owner of Cat Cafe Neko no Niwa, tells us more about these curious creatures.
COMMON CONCERN #1: Scratching
Cats need and like to scratch, especially on textured and contrast surfaces like rattan chairs or sofa seams. Upholstery that is smooth to the touch, like cotton and satin, reduces the chances of this. It’s important to give them other avenues to scratch, like sisal-roped bedside tables or poles on each end of the sofa, and throughout the house – because just one spot is hardly enough!
Photo: Studio Wills + Architects
COMMON CONCERN #2: Straying
A magnetic insect mesh is an easy way to prevent access to windows. Some meshes look opaque from low or high angles, tricking the curious cat into thinking there is nothing to explore. For open balconies, you can either use grilles (with widths no wider than your cat’s shoulders), or paste sticky tape or plastic bird spikes on ledges as well the areas leading to them.
Photo: Free Space Intent
COMMON CONCERN #3: Hiding
If you don’t want them hiding in hard-to-reach places, get a low sofa or a storage bed. However, you can still give cats a sense of security by creating safe spaces to hide in, such as behind the curtains or in teepees. Modular scratching boxes that allow cats to scratch and then hide in are great, too.
Photo: White Space Living
COOL CAT PRODUCT #1: Stacking Cats by Chan Wai Lim (Trigger Design Studio)
This modular cat tree is perfect for small spaces. It's not only easy to set up (the cats can be unstacked), but safe for your pets as well; only organic dyes and zero-VOC finishes are applied.
Pre-orders available at hello@triggerdesignstudio.com.
COOL CAT PRODUCT #2: Treo by Sherlynn Low and Joel Lim
Inspired by how wild cats behave in their natural habitat, the designers created similar elements that are useful for both human and cat. Treo's blossoming tree, shrub and tall sapling can be used to hang caps, cat collars and more.
Pre-orders available at sherlynnlow@gmail.com.
COOL CAT PRODUCT #3: Handmade Cat Tent by Goood Pet Collars
Give your cats a stylish and comfy space to hide and take naps. Its cushion covers can be removed and washed, too! With each purchase, Goood Pet Collars will donate five cans of cat food to Animal Lovers League.
Buy it at www.gooodpetcollars.com.