After several years of having 4+ cats, I can confidently say that cats care about the location of a piece of furniture more than the furniture itself.

If you're worried about your cat using a cat tree, for example, maybe try putting it next to a window or in a vantage point for their favorite room.

Every time I've moved my cat tree a different combination of cats would sleep on it. Right now it's behind a door and the only one who likes it is my 8 year old torti, who hasn't spent a day in her life on it until now. We put it there temporarily to clean the space it was previously in but we left it because she suddenly started using it.

[–] idunnololz@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I would like to add how long the furniture has been there is also a factor. I got a new cat tree and for the first year my cat just never really hung out on it. Then one day he just started to go up there all the time and now it's his favorite tree.

Also, yes I did put catnip on the tree when we first got it.

[–] gregorum@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

it’s the only thing in the new place that still smells like home. of course your baby loves it. it’s their only emotional anchor in your new gymnasium of panic attacks.

edit: your baby (and you) will “scent” your new place eventually, but everything old has that “familiar smell” ingrained in the stuff you brought with you (furniture, clothes, etc), especially that cat bed, your bed, etc. They will serve as touchstones as your cat familiarizes themselves with your new home, until they make it “theirs".

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 26 points 2 years ago (1 children)

No, no... I moved the bed from a window, to the end of the hallway, the place is the same place Lorelei has always known. ;)

[–] gregorum@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

oooooohhh… maybe check the seals around that window. you may be losing a lot of heat through that (and other) windows in your home. kitties don’t like drafty sleeping spots.

[–] Lauchs@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago

Neat! I hadn't thought about that. I'll try moving my cat's less used scratching post to a better spot...!

[–] donuts@kbin.social 6 points 2 years ago

location location location

[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago

I spent like $90 on a small cat tower with a great little hiding place for the cat to sleep in the bottom. She used it like twice and now she just sits on top of it and stares at me.... Maybe I should move it to a other room lol