Recently, I read a comment to an article on a new kind of cat tree. The author of the article was simply informing indoor cat owners that this new brand of cat tree exists and is something indoor cats might truly enjoy. The quotes from the manufacturers in her article claim the tree is made of real wood for realistic climbing and scratching, silk leaves for realistic sound and feel and is built to satisfy many cat urges.
The commenter on the other hand states that she doesn't agree this cat tree would replace all aspects of the outdoors for a cat. As far as I can see the author didn't really claim that the trees replace all aspects of outdoor life indoors. The idea of having such a tree is more to prevent the cat from scratching up furniture, provide him/her with entertainment and exercise. As for the other "allures" of the outdoors, they can also be simulated indoors with many different methods and an indoor cat can have all the same stimulation (minus the dangers) of a cat that goes out. Too many people equate human needs of freedom to animals.
Yes, a certain amount and certain types of freedom are good, but a cat that is raised indoors in particular and is given the correct, and enough, of that which they require does not *need* to be out "chasing butterflies." Just as chasing toys can satisfy a cat's need for the hunt, so can scratching on a fake tree satisfy a cat's need to slough claws, stretch and mark territory (the three reasons cats scratch).
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