When we were in the process of designing our home, we knew that we would eventually be bringing our cat, Sammy, into our new space. This meant that many of our home decisions had to work for her too. Here are 5 simple ways we've made our home cat-friendly! The first concern we had in mind was definitely about ensuring the longevity of our sofa. As seasoned cat pawrents, we've seen first-hand how quickly our furniture can be shredded to bits if the materials are unsuitable. It was thus a natural decision for us to go with a scratch-resistant fabric sofa. We were happy to find plenty of options in the market and soon settled on an electric recliner with a sleek aesthetic. It has held up for a year now, despite Sammy occasionally trying her luck and having a go at it with her claws. 
Cat mesh are a necessity, especially in common areas where the windows are more likely to be open throughout the day. We chose to have retractable, scratchproof mesh screens that we pull down only when our windows are opened. This allows us to still enjoy clear views when the air-conditioning is on and windows are closed. 
We loved the idea of displaying our handmade pottery and had many aesthetic, open-shelving ideas bookmarked. However, we eventually went with closed glass cabinets as we were concerned that Sammy would climb onto the shelves and knock over items. As a consolation, we went with crystal tempered glass that is clearer and lacks the distinct green tint of regular tempered glass. 
To ensure that Sammy is always fed on time and has running water, we set up a mini dining area for her next to our dining table. We're able to activate her food dispenser remotely and customise the amount of kibble dispensed each time. Her stainless steel water fountain is also dishwasher-safe, which allows us to keep it squeaky clean with ease.
17 August