Hi everyone! So, being me, I have everything I need and it is all set up (minus food and litter which will be bought next weekend) even though we don't pick her up for another week . The kids and I just set up the cat tower. It is A LOT bigger than I thought it would be. Should I modify the tree set up so it is not as high in case she falls? I could easily remove the bottom posts/shelves/hammock which would bring the height down a bit. This is the area I initially planned to keep it but I am thinking it looks a little weird there...maybe it is just because I am not used to it anymore. I do plan to get some shelves to put on the wall behind it. Let me know your thoughts! TIA

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Terry Pratchett

If you in any way love the curtains then you need to move the cat tree away from them :-)

I don't think that it is too high - bengals are born climbers. My 2 have a cat tree at least as hight as that and have done since they came to me at 13 weeks - they love running up and down it.

The TV - make sure that there isn't a kitten-sized gap between it and the wall if you can - they will want to get behind it, then will probably rear up with their front paws towards the top of it - it probably won't topple, but watching it wobble won't be fun.

EDIT - the location of the tree and TV - a bengal will give thought to jumping from the tree to the top of the TV.

Generally, you have to arrange your home as if a wonderful half cat-half monkey hybrid is coming to live in it.

I think you picked a very nice tree, and I think it's a great idea how you worked it into a room with your entertainment center. Cat trees are best when they are in the room(s) where you spend the most time.

As far as the height... nah, it's fine. But yea, the curtain thing is another story. Just looking at it I'm guessing that the next stop for a bengal will be to climb across the top of your curtains, and also to try to climb down on the curtains (which could be a bit dangerous). So you may need to either re-think the placement of the tree or change to blinds or something on the windows.

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The little monsters 3

That's a nice tree, the taller the better. They won't fall off, they have claws and probably will be great climbers. Maybe scooch it into the corner away from the curtains for more stability? They will definitely swing from the curtains in the current location. If you want to position it so they can look out the window, maybe there is room across from the window on the other side of the room.

Cranberry - The TV is an projection one so she can climb on it if she likes (expecting she will) it is not moving. There is currently a gap behind the stand but I need to get my husband to help move the stand back. Also thinking of getting something to block off the gap all the way around due to wires back there.

Brian - I will be changing the curtains (these came with the house and are ugly IMO!) I was thinking of putting a shelf across the top for her but definitely don't want to promote her trying to climb down the curtains. I also read somewhere that a 'cat shelf' should not dead end? Maybe I could do a bamboo blind.....

CMYKjill - Yes the window is part of the reason for the current location. I may just add a window seat though so she can get a seat with a view and I don't entice her with the curtains. I cant move it to the other side of the window because our couch is there! In retrospect I guess the arm of the couch will give her the view too. LOL

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Terry Pratchett

No need to worry as to whether the cat tree is too high. She will climb up the sisal posts and reach the areas she wants -- condo, platform, etc.. Raiden can jump up on his, but many times he climbs up the posts. Your little girl will just love this. Curtains are a huge draw for cats as well. She's got easy access from the top sleeper and you will discover her walking on the curtain rod. If you don't close the curtains, I might remove them for the time being. A bare window is better to look at than ripped curtains. A window perch is a great idea and not expensive. Raiden has two of them and he will take naps on them.

Definitely watch out for cables around your entertainment center. Kittens love to chew them. They can find any little thing to play with -- things you can never see on the floor.

Her arrival is almost here and I know you are super excited.

cranberry - Yes the TV is definitely solid! I will definitely try the spray! We found we can't get the credenza pushed back enough. I was also looking at cable protectors or something to completely block off the space between the credenza and wall where all the cables are.

Sherry - We do close the curtains so just removing isn't an option. I figure I will have to play it by ear and see how interested she gets and how to deter her best. I am not worried about the curtains as I want to replace them anyway!

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Terry Pratchett

Hopefully, she will not be attracted to the curtains, but they are right there and bengals love to climb! If you can keep her amused most of the time, she may not be interested. It's great that you don't mind as you want to replace them anyway.

Maybe spray the curtains with some thing that keeps cats away? But don't get in their cat tower.

I have rotated the tree so it now sits in the corner facing out. I have a window perch on order that I will stick in an upstairs window so she can watch the birds in the tree outback. I am thinking I may not need one downstairs since the couch is right by the window but will keep an open mind.
Thank you everyone for the advice and tips! I really appreciate all your help. I had cats growing up but the biggest thing I worried about with them was feeding and occasionally helping mom clean the litter box. It's a whole new world having one of my own! All good things though!

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Terry Pratchett

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

My one cat never bothered the curtains, she just sits behind them and peers out through the mesh netting. That is fascinating enough for her. Blondie on the other hand dives for the pulley rod and grabs onto the fine mesh and swings down them. She has torn the material on one of them and they are crazy expensive window treatments. Now I keep them open all the time and everything is fine. Maybe when they are older they will stop being so interested in them.

For sisters they are so totally different. Each specializing in her own version of attention getting behaviors. Blondie for example sees everything as a toy just for her. I am constantly putting things down on a table and then picking them off the floor. If I put it back on the table, she immediately knocks it back to the floor. This is especially fun when the objects scatter and roll such as my container of morning vitamins. She is certain this is a game I invented just for her.

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Terry Pratchett