Cat spaces are treasured places. There are a number of ways to give them sneaky spots...and they will be used for many purposes.
1. Cat Cubes
The much loved Cat CubeA commercial option for lounging and playing comes in the form of a cat cube. If you want just one thing that will be used to death, this is it. The beauty of cubes is they already have ambush holes, they nicely hold the sun's heat, and they are squishable for flying tackles after another cat or toy. The shape is held by flexible wire that 'pops' back into shape, folds down flat for storage, and has that soft squish to accommodate cat antics. As you can see, ours has been loved out of its cube shape. It gets a daily workout.
Interestingly, I think the semi transparent nature of the fabric is also an attraction as the cats think they are invisible, but can still see their 'prey'. A foldable washing basket has been of the same hit status as the cat cube- maybe more. Both Ava and Kato independently zeroed in on the washing basket as an ultimate hideout and tackle toy, so much so that I have had to replace it many times.
Obviously the foldable washing basket is not made for cats, so the fabric rips and the wire pops out after a while - no such problems with the cat cube, but then the cube can't take a cat for a ride to go do the washing (another favoured pastime).
I usually get my foldable washing baskets at Asian $2 shops; they are also available on ebay. The cat cube is far harder to get ... they are cheap (like $4) and easily available if you are in America, but the best I've been able to do is via eBay at around $12-$15. You may need to search, as sometimes you can get a Chinese supplier of this cat cube, and then the shipping is free to Australia; they just aren't consistently up on ebay. I haven't ever seen them in an Australian pet shop, even online.
Interestingly, I think the semi transparent nature of the fabric is also an attraction as the cats think they are invisible, but can still see their 'prey'. A foldable washing basket has been of the same hit status as the cat cube- maybe more. Both Ava and Kato independently zeroed in on the washing basket as an ultimate hideout and tackle toy, so much so that I have had to replace it many times.
Obviously the foldable washing basket is not made for cats, so the fabric rips and the wire pops out after a while - no such problems with the cat cube, but then the cube can't take a cat for a ride to go do the washing (another favoured pastime).
I usually get my foldable washing baskets at Asian $2 shops; they are also available on ebay. The cat cube is far harder to get ... they are cheap (like $4) and easily available if you are in America, but the best I've been able to do is via eBay at around $12-$15. You may need to search, as sometimes you can get a Chinese supplier of this cat cube, and then the shipping is free to Australia; they just aren't consistently up on ebay. I haven't ever seen them in an Australian pet shop, even online.
2. Cardboard boxes
Waiting for the sun... The ultimate in cheap (free) lounging and playing spaces! We have tiny ones, and large ones. In fact any package that arrives in our home is of intense interest, and boxes very rarely get thrown out (immediately anyway - there does have to be a 'replacement' rotation eventually!)
Boxes can be used for lounging, especially if the box captures the sun and becomes a mini sauna. You can also add a 'roof'.
Then there is the feline fascination of 'do I fit?'. The answer is invariably 'yes'. Even if it is a stupidly small space like a chip box.
And of course, humans can embellish these basic cardboard items; we cut holes in them to make tunnels, or line with carpet off-cuts for a sunny snoozing place. And don't forget the other joyful cat activity...play. Boxes can become ambush opportunities, and fascinating new spots for a toy to hide.
Boxes can be used for lounging, especially if the box captures the sun and becomes a mini sauna. You can also add a 'roof'.
Then there is the feline fascination of 'do I fit?'. The answer is invariably 'yes'. Even if it is a stupidly small space like a chip box.
And of course, humans can embellish these basic cardboard items; we cut holes in them to make tunnels, or line with carpet off-cuts for a sunny snoozing place. And don't forget the other joyful cat activity...play. Boxes can become ambush opportunities, and fascinating new spots for a toy to hide.