I suggest at least 3 levels. The top levels covered with carpet. The bottom level covered with thick twine rope for scratching. The rope on my cat tree is irresistible to my cat.

Also you might try putting a harness on your cat with a leash and give her some outside time. I use to do that with my cat. He loved that so much.

Thank you.

When it warms up we’ll try letting her outside again.

Make sure it’s sturdy.

Also, another alternative to a cat tree, or in addition to a cat tree, I have two suggestions. Your husband can put a shelf right below the window sill. The cat can sit on the shelf and look out the window. When I lived in my last apartment before I moved here, I had a shelf put under the window sill and I put some quilt batting on it (with a staple gun) and then put fabric over it, so it looked nice and I could replace that when it got dirty. The cats loved it.

Also, your husband can put shelves on the wall, like steps. I have a book from the 80s or 90s called “The Cats’ House” which was a house in New Mexico where the artists/owners made all sorts of elaborate and brightly painted tunnels and walkways up high in their house, with little windows and cut-outs for the cats to walk around up high and enjoy. They had shelves going up the walls like steps for the cats to get up there. It was really cool. If I can find a link I’ll post it. I have the book.

Depends on how athletic the cat currently is. A tall elaborate one can be great for more athletic cats, though some cats to ignore what you want them to use. ;-)

If you only have one pet, the issues may be different from if you have multiple pets or children in the house – if the cat isn’t entirely comfortable with everyone in the house, then they may want hiding places and multiple routes to get from place to place, high places and tunnels to escape to.

If it’s just one cat, they’re probably going stir-crazy, so access to places they can at least SEE outside (places to comfortably sit and look out windows) and play from humans, a catio, and/or another cat, may be what’s needed.

Ours liked a small, heavily padded cave a lot. Others like platforms to look around. Is Vanta a hider or a hunter?

@jca2 Is this the house?

She looks out the sliding glass doors at our neighbor’s to the south.
Also she climbs up and sits on the back of my easy chair and stares at the neighbors to the north.
She’s athletic. She climbs trees and roof tops.
She’s a hunter. I have the scars to prove it! At the 5 acre woods where lived in the 5th wheel for several months she was a mole hunting fool.

We had a zillion empty boxes all over the living room for several weeks. It was her jungle. I saved one for her.
She needs something more better.
I’m trying to post a link to what I chose. I looked for one that had a cat house with only one entrance so she can hide.

Here Cat Tree, 61” Cat Tower for Indoor Cats, Multi-Level Tall Cat Condo Furniture, Kitten Kitty Activity Center Cat Stand Climb House with Scratching Posts, Ladder, Toys& Perch for Play Rest https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094CB446M/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_TQ51YAQGWNXM7JXE395G

Really cool @longgone

This is her this morning.

Can you guys see my links?

Yes I can see your last two links. The link at the word “Here” just goes to this thread, though.

That is a super cute pic of the cat peering out through the crack in the recliner! (Be careful she doesn’t get hurt by the machinery in there.)

Cats do love cardboard boxes, usually the more the better. Sometimes they love them more than commercial cat trees (though it really helps if the openings and interior spaces are big enough for the cat).

I suggest you look on Chewy.com – I think they tend to have better prices, tons of cat trees, and sometimes have sales on top of that. You can see the selection and filters here .

Thanks. I canceled my Amazon order and bought from Chewy.

What should I look for in a cat tree ?

Ummmm. . . a cat?

Seriously though, there are lots of toys that are specifically for boredom and entertainment for both dogs and cats. No, not lame-ass catnip-stuffed mice. Check out this: https://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/wicked-ball-dog-toy/

I know this is about dogs, but they say they have one covered with wool for cats. Once you turn it on, it spins, bounces (a little) and rolls around by itself. Chewy should have some good items too, like toys that challenge a pet’s intelligence – how to get the treat out. My cats have also always loved that round flat thing with a ‘moat’ where a ball goes around and around when they pat it, especially if it has a couple of tunnels. Like others have mentioned, they love cozy quiet places to be by themselves. Good luck! jeeeez I gotta get a cat

@longgone: This is the house, although the one in your video is very similar.

https://www.catshouse.com/index

Mountian Vanta in the 5th wheel.

@smudges… I wish Fluther had a laugh emoji!

@jca2 I love it. The picture of that grey tabby relaxing on top of the walkway is my favourite.

@Dutchess_III Cats also, allegedly, love clickertraining.

Clicker training?

Oh yeah! I’d forgotten about clickers! I’ve used them and my cats really liked it. The training gives them a challenge, and cats enjoy learning things. Just do a search for ‘clicker training for cats’ on youtube or just the internet.

Also, I know you guys are handy with building, remodeling, etc, so why not make your own playground for your cat. This guy made lots of things just out of scrap wood. Vanta, like most cats, would love having something up high where she could perch and watch the goings-on of her minions below. LOL

Sheet. The kids are already scared to death of the cat. They couldn’t handle the idea of hell raining down on them from above!
I’ll think about it though.

Awww poor misunderstood kitty. ;D

@Dutchess_III A taste of what you have to look forward to: https://imgur.com/gallery/tSlGV8N

LOL!

Cat Tower !

Yep. And it’ll be here tomorrow!

Got show us the cat tower with cat installed !

I will!!