A review of cat furniture and "play areas" (cat hotels)

There are five areas for the mental health of cats: 
1.  Walkways
2.  Peaceful, quiet and calm "special spaces"
3.  Timely rubs
4.  Correct food
5.  Clean litter
and ..."other" forms of providing mental health
 Mental health is perhaps the overall reason we give them food, rubs and other perks.   Yes, food could be any food, but this category is call "the correct food."   I include mental health as a catch phrase so that we don't think that giving the other five parts is "enough."   [See the discussion below of "should we allow cats to go outside?"]

Timely rubs means "when the cat asks," not "when we decide to give the rubs."

Clean Litter means, "when I hear the cat scratching, digging and covering up, then I'm up and I remove the poop."       
the category of "Mental Health:  Other" suggests that there are other methods and procedues that don't fall under quiet, walkways, rubs, food and special spaces.

Special spaces might be connected to walkways and walkways can turn into a special space.   After all, look at Tomas, our cat, who sits on a high walkway and makes his spot on the walkway into a destination.

This review covers three "special spaces" that we found on Amazon.    Each of these "hotels" has spaces that are the right size and feel for a typical cat.   Some cats will avoid the special space, but look what Sweet Pea does on her Cat Hotel space.




The Hollypet Cat Activity provides a place to sit, an arch to climb, a place to hide.

PET PALACE 62" Cat Tree Kitten Activity Tower Condo with Hammock, Deluxe Scratching Posts, and Rope, cold be called a "cat tree."    It goes up and sideways.

 

 "Should we allow cats to go outside?"   
Look at the search results of this phrase

Should I Let My Cat Outside — Ever? - Catster

www.catster.com › Lifestyle

Jun 28, 2016 - The risks are high and come from many sources. Let's weigh those against some of the strongest reasons people let their cats go outside.

6 Reasons You Might Let Your Cat Out, And Why Not To | Petfinder

https://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-care/6-indoor-outdoor-cat-myths/

Many people let their cats outdoors, often with misplaced good intentions. Check out the six most common reasons people let their cats outside, and safer, indoor alternatives.

Should You Allow Your Cat to Go Outside? - The Spruce

https://www.thespruce.com › Pets › Cats › Cat FAQs

Apr 4, 2017 - Indeed, this debate seems to be more prevalent in the United States, as in many other countries, cats are allowed free access to the outdoors. Admittedly, I came from the "old school" of thought about cats: that they are creatures who love the outdoors, and that it is natural for them to be able to go out 

Catster

Petfinder 
It is clear that there are good solid pieces of evidence taken from scientific research to support "keep cats indoors."   So why not find the moderate point?

If you decide to let your cat outside or if you are committed to keeping your cat inside, why not add the "cat hotel" to your home?  Either way, when your cat(s) are inside, there is a special safe place for them to lounge on.
The Middle Way
We have five cats.  One stays indoors all of the time (she was rescued from under a car, so she prefers the safety of a roof).  Three others are sensible and usually come in when it is dark.  The last, Sweet Pea, is featured on this video channel with a Loc8tor radio device (reviewed here) 

Cat with a Radio attached to a Cat Harness



The middle way
A teaching material in Ashikaga Gakko (Japan) to teach students the importance of moderation. The cup is inclined when it's empty. When you pour water into it, it goes upright. If you pour more water, it becomes inclined again.
photo by Masayuki (Yuki) Kawagishi - originally posted to Flickr as The Yuza-no-ki

This is a teaching material to teach students the importance of moderation. The cup is inclined when it's empty. When you pour water into it, it goes upright. If you pour more water, it became inclined again. Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan.