How To Choose The Best Cat Tunnel For Indoor Cats For Your Cat – CatTime
Cat tunnels provide cats with endless entertainment. Not only do tunnels make a great place to hide or sleep, but cats can amuse themselves by playing with the multitude of accessories included. Tunnels come in a variety of sizes and with a number of features to suit cats of all sizes and energy levels. It can be difficult to find the right cat tunnel to suit you, your cat, and your home, but our guide will help you make the correct purchase to keep you and your cat happy.
Best Choice
Many ways to have fun
Pros:
With Prosper’s three spacious tunnels, your cat can enjoy a bell toy, peephole, and built-in crinkle crackle paper for a lot of exercises. It is made of durable, strong, tear-resistant polyester that is washable and does not collect pet hair. It features a steel frame to ensure it does not collapse in the center. All wire ends are covered for safety. An elastic band is provided to fold the tunnel down small for storage and travel. It is also suitable for use by puppies and rabbits.
Cons:
A particularly playful cat may be able to chew through the string of the hanging bell fairly quickly. If your cat is likely to play fight with string, you may need to consider a tunnel with a stronger toy attachment.
Best Durable Tunnel
It will stand up to crazy cat antics!
Pros:
The CO-Z tunnel is made of strong, tear-resistant polyester and features three tunnels, a dangling ball and a peephole. The steel frame has protective ends for safety and stands up to boisterous behavior. The tunnel has a foldable design and can be conveniently collapsed within seconds for storage or travel, so you can keep your pet entertained wherever you go. Cats can hide, play and hunt the ball within the tunnels. It is ideal for cats, dogs, and rabbits that weigh under twelve pounds.
Cons:
The length of the tunnels is ideal for kittens or smaller cats but can seem a bit short for a larger cat. If you have a larger cat, you may prefer to look for a larger or longer tunnel system to keep your cat amused.
Best for Every Cat Size
For cats of all sizes
Pros:
The Pet Magasin collapsible cat tunnel is a two pack of differently sized, lightweight, interactive pet tubes with a double layer of fabric for extra durability. The tunnels are interactive and feature bright colors and crinkly fabrics for added interest. The longer tunnel has a peephole, and both have a dangling ball toy hanging at the entrance. The tunnels are spring-loaded for quick setup and are easily collapsed for storage. The tunnels suit cats of any size, and even small dogs.
Cons:
If you are buying this product specifically for your larger cat, you may feel that the shorter tunnel is wasted on your pet. Large cats may not be keen to play in the shorter tunnel as there is no peephole to escape through. However, if you also have smaller cats, they may enjoy the choice of two tunnels.
Best Easy Storage
Promotes play and exploration
Pros:
The PAWZ Road Cat collapsible tunnel is an extra-long tunnel suitable for your cat to exercise, sleep or hide out in. It has an S shape, which promotes play and exploration, and gives the tunnel a spacious feel so that all cats and kittens can enjoy themselves without feeling restricted. It is made of a sprung steel frame covered in premium polyester, making it quick to set up and collapse for storage. It features two fun windows and strings to allow you to connect multiple tunnels together.
Cons:
The polyester fabric is lightweight, which is great for allowing it to collapse down small for storage. However, if you have a particularly playful cat, the fabric may not withstand high levels of excitable play.
Best for Multiple Cats
Four-way tunnel toy
Pros:
The toy provides four sides, as well as a hole at the top of the tunnel structure. This adds more opportunity for a cat to explore the tunnel. The tunnel is available in three different size options. This ensures the customer is able to choose an appropriate size for their cat, based on how large the pet is. The toy also comes with a crinkle, which is a great way to keep a cat entertained for hours at a time.
Cons:
Even when the larger option is considered for the toy, some people may still find that their cat does not fit correctly into the tunnel. This is applicable to some of the larger cat breeds that the customer may own. The toy also has a higher price tag when a larger toy is needed, which makes the product more expensive for people shopping on a lower budget.
What Really Matters
Cats’ Fun
When you buy a cat tunnel, you want to know that your cat is going to love it. It needs to have a big enough diameter that your cat feels safe exploring inside its new toy, and if your cat has a nervous disposition then the addition of a peephole or escape window may be beneficial. Cats are good at entertaining themselves, but the addition of fun activities including crinkly material or hanging toys can keep them occupied longer. If there is an option to connect multiple tunnels together to make a bigger play area, your cat may be even more entertained.
Safety
Although a tunnel is primarily bought for your cat to have fun, it is important that it functions safely, too. A sturdy frame will hold the tunnel open without the risk of it collapsing on your cat. The frame must be carefully housed within the fabric of the tunnel so that sharp ends cannot escape, as this could cause injury to your cat. Cats can be boisterous, especially when playing, and this can result in significant wear and tear to a tunnel that is not constructed to such a high standard. Thicker polyester or durable alternative materials will withstand sharp claws, teeth, and rough play for longer, extending the life of the tunnel.
Aesthetics
The tunnel that you buy is not for you, but it could take up a significant amount of space in your home. It is important that the tunnel not only appears well-manufactured, but that you like the overall look of it in your home. You might choose a particular colorway to match your home interiors or select a plush tunnel that matches the cat’s other accessories, including its basket. If your cat is more interested in brightly colored toys, choose a tunnel in an exciting color or pattern to guarantee that your cat will want to play with it. It is also important to check that the tunnel you purchase won’t be overwhelming in your home. Placing a large tunnel in a small room could leave you resenting the amount of space it takes up, and a smaller product might be more appropriate.
What’s in Right Now?
Many of us are choosing to keep our cats as indoor cats, rather than letting them go outside. Keeping a cat indoors has advantages, such as keeping a cat safe from roads, theft, or parasites. However, it does mean we need to be inventive in keeping them occupied inside the home. A tunnel is a great activity center, but the best tunnels have a multitude of activities inside of them to keep cats interested. Peepholes allow for more interesting entrances and exits, and noisy toys or flashing lights within the tunnel can keep a cat amused for a longer amount of time.
At the top end of the market, cat tunnels are also available with additional features. Tunnels that incorporate a cat basket, an exercise track or a climbing frame are becoming a popular choice. Multi-purpose cat tunnels can take up less space than their individual components would separately. These tunnels are also often suitable for more than one cat to use.
Prices
Expensive
$19.99+ for a plush, durable suede tunnel that is suitable for more than one cat to play in at a time. It contains a dangling toy and additional exits and can be packed away for storage or travel.
Mid-Range
$11.99-$19.99 for one or more tunnels that contain interactive activities to keep your cat occupied. They may be suitable for larger cats or other pets, too.
Cheap
$9.99-$11.99 for extra-long, or multiple, polyester tunnels that can easily be collapsed for travel or storage.
FAQs
Which tunnel is best for small apartments?
If you are concerned about the amount of space you have available, consider purchasing a three-way tunnel to give your cat more tunnel space to play. If the tunnel is unlikely to be out all of the time, consider how easily it folds down and how much space it will take up in a cupboard.
Which tunnel is best for boisterous cats?
For boisterous or high-energy cats, a strong, durable tunnel is essential. A thinner, lightweight tunnel could be ripped by playful claws, and the frame may not withstand the amount of playtime your cat requires. Look for thicker polyester or a double-lined tunnel to ensure the tunnel lasts longer. If your cat goes outside, it may return with muddy feet. A tunnel made of a washable or wipeable fabric will ensure you can clean the tunnel after use.
Can tunnels help reduce nervousness and anxiety in cats?
For nervous cats, a simple, non-threatening tunnel is a good place to start. Consider starting with a tunnel that is a shorter length and a wide diameter to reduce any anxiety your cat may experience. A simple hanging toy or bell may initially pique its interest. Try to avoid crinkly or slippery fabrics that may startle a more nervous cat. Once your cat has learned to enjoy its tunnel, you could try a more adventurous tunnel in future.
I have a cat and a small dog, is there a tunnel that would suit both of them?
A larger tunnel may be suitable for use for both dogs and cats. If both animals–or multiple cats–will be using the tunnel together, consider buying one with multiple entrances or exits so that neither pet feels trapped or threatened. A three- or four-way tunnel may give each animal more space to play or rest than a single tunnel. A tunnel used by a dog may also need to be sturdier than one used exclusively by cats, so choose a product with a strong frame and fabric.
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