Unsolicited Advice: Cat Window Hammock Perch

Quick disclaimer: I am not sponsored by the K&H Pet Products company. They do not pay me or give me free supplies for this blog post. I promote this product because it works for me and my animals.

Happy July to everyone out there. We have been battling thunderstorms, gigantic mosquitoes, and unrelenting heat for a few weeks now. One of the storms actually tore down a large limb from my walnut tree in the backyard. We were quite lucky, though, because it fell perfectly between the barn, the wash house, and the Copper Mermaid Cottage, so no damage! Just a couple hours cleaning up the wreckage. Still, it provided me some perspective about how blessed we are. If any of the branches on the cottage-side of the tree had fallen, there could have been a chance that Makoa or the chinchillas wouldn't have made it. It's been a difficult year, to be sure, but at least all of my babies are healthy and alive. 

Now, time for some unsolicited advice. Lately, the Copper Mermaid Cottage (formerly known as the Ivory Mermaid Cottage) has been undergoing updates. The guinea pig room, a hallway, and the guest bathroom received new subflooring and flooring on top of that. Let me tell you, it was four-day process of torture. Tearing out floors is already a pain, but this was made worse by significant flooding under the house, 1940s original hardwood floors being as strong as steel, and rude construction workers smoking everywhere. 

New paintings have been going up, rooms have been rearranged, the front porch was screened in, and the giant doghouse building was turned into the wash house, or laundry room. It's been a labor of love and keeping me busy during these trying times.

In addition, fun perches and shelves have been added to the house for the three cats: Sparta, Castiel, and Maleficent. 

Generally, I've shied away from cat shelves. How sturdy can they really be? Do they really stay in place? Will the cats even use them?

Well, I found one on Amazon that I am extremely impressed with. The cats are also impressed, and one of them has been using it every day since it was installed in the guinea pig room. 

Sold by K&H Pet Products, the Kitty Sill Cat Window Hammock Perch with fleece is 14x24 inches. The platform that the cat sits on is drilled into the window sill. You need a window sill of at least 2 inches to drill in the platform. Then there are two prongs that come off the bottom of the platform that drill into the wall below. You can safely put a heating pad underneath the fleece that encompasses the platform for a heated bed. The fleece is easy to remove and is washable. I was concerned that my heaviest cat, Maleficent, wouldn't be supported by the perch, but it hasn't budged in the slightest. In fact, it says the perch can support up to 40 pounds. 

And here's the craziest part, I found it for under $30!! Yeah, who saw that coming?? 

I've seen perches and cat trees that are $60+. Sometimes, over $100 to get the durability and stability that I need in a perch or cat tree. But, this one is an amazing price and still well-made, looks nice, and makes my cats happy. 

Castiel has been the biggest fan so far. In the morning hours, sunlight streams perfectly through the window where the perch is. He sprawls out or curls up in a ball on the perch and soaks up all the rays he can get. Maleficent enjoys the perch, too, especially when there are ibises wandering around the yard looking for bugs and worms. 

I am highly thinking about getting a second and third one for a few other windows since the cats enjoy it so much. It has been a great addition to the house for both them and me. Instead of blocking me from my laptop as I type this, Castiel is snuggled on his perch next to me in the window, ha ha! I highly recommend this product if you're looking for a surprise for your cats!