Wow, can you believe 2024 is coming to an end? This year flew by for all of us at Class Act Cats, but it was another fun year full of helping cats and their humans.
This year, I embarked on a project I called my “blogapalooza” where I shared a new blog at least once a week for the full year. This ran parallel with my monthly blog post about cat loss grief honoring Zoloft. While I’d love to keep up this pace, I’m going to have to slow down slightly next year so I have time to update some of my older blogs (and play with my own cats more).
Side note: If you want to keep up with my new blog posts, I’ve been posting them on Pinterest as they become available.
To close out the year on this last day of 2024 and the final post of my blogapalooza, I want to highlight my favorite new cat product that came out this year because I am obsessed… and so are Poutine and ‘Zac! It’s the Desk Nest and you need one.
What Is The Desk Nest?
If you aren’t familiar, the Desk Nest is an elevated cat bed that you can attach to (get ready to be shocked) your desk. That said, it might also be attachable to other pieces of furniture like a sturdy kitchen table so don’t limit yourself if you tend to work at your table more than you’re eating at it. It’s mounted via a clamp so it doesn’t damage your desk and can be adjusted depending on your needs.
Because the bed is elevated, it helps keep your cat off your keyboard while you work. You still get the same amount of desk space and your cat or cats have a cozy spot to rest nearby. No need to worry about closing doors or cats accidentally sending sending e-mails before you’re ready to send them!
Why Do I (And Cats) Love The Desk Nest So Much?
I pre-ordered my Desk Nests for The Dudes because I do 99.99% virtual consultations with clients and my guys both like to be near me while I work. While I have a large cat tree behind me, it’s apparently not close enough for at least one my cats. I won’t say which cat, but… Poutine. It’s Poutine.
Ever since I got my Desk Nests, Poutine is now more often found “supervising” me from nearby while only occasionally walking across my keyboard (or across my keyboard protector). Half the time he’s actually walking across it to get to the second Desk Nest if ‘Zac isn’t napping in it!
My den isn’t huge so it’s hard to fit another cat tree in it without making the space barely functional. Desk Nests are great for solving a common unwanted behavior in cats in a way that doesn’t involve aversive interventions or take up space you don’t have. It’s very sturdy (if you follow the weight and installation guidelines) so you can rest easy while your cats… well, while they rest.
My Favorite Warning Label
An added bonus? The warning label that comes with it.
Maybe it’s because my aesthetic is cats, but I kept the two that came with mine and have them in a frame near one of my cat trees.
Behavioral Benefits
Of course, it also benefits your cats behaviorally. Cats have a natural need to climb and, to be blunt, a lot of cat parents don’t have enough cat furniture for their cats. The Desk Nest not only keeps your cat off your keyboard but it helps add another place your cat can climb even if you’re not in the room. I’ve found ‘Zac sleeping in one of mine on more than a few mornings!
The elevation is part of the genius of the Desk Nest: because it’s higher than your desk, it’s more appealing to rest in the Desk Nest than on your desk. You’re not just trying to keep them away; you’re offering a more appealing alternative. That’s a very effective way to modify a cat’s behavior.
Tips For Your Desk Nest
My biggest tip is getting a Desk Nest, but once you’ve ordered one there are a few things you can to to maximize your cat’s enjoyment of their new favorite place to rest.
- Install it so it holds their weight. The angle you install it at affects the maximum weight it can hold so double check if you have a Maine Coon (or just a chonk).
- One for each cat. If you have multiple cats, you can prevent territoriality surrounding the Desk Nest if you get one for each cat. If that’s not doable due to the number of cats you have, getting at least two may be enough or you could supplement them with cat shelves installed near your desk.
- Let your cat discover it on their own. Putting a cat on a piece of cat furniture or in a litter box can create an aversion to that piece of furniture. Placing them on an object in the hope that they’ll suddenly start using it is not necessary. It’s better to let your cat find it on their own.
- Use (cat) drugs. No, this isn’t as shady as it sounds: a little silver vine powder (which, if you’re not familiar with silver vine, I have a whole article and a video about you’re cat’s new favorite plant) goes a long way, as does catnip. Sprinkle some on the Nest to draw your cat in.
- Treats! You can also leave some of your cat’s favorite crunchy treats on the Desk Nest to help lure them up. If your cat prefers lickable treats like Churu, a small (cat shaped) dish or a lickable treat dispenser work to keep things mess free.
- Clicker training works, too. Clicker training a cat to go up and down is a great form of enrichment and can help build a positive association with the Desk Nest. Most of the time it won’t be necessary to do this, but it is an option. It’s also really fun.
Should You Get A Desk Nest?
Yes. It’s not more complicated than that. The Desk Nest is without a doubt my favorite cat related purchase this year. Your cats will thank you for getting one.
Happy New Year From Class Act Cats
Before I let you go, I want to add a sincere thank you to everyone who’s stopped by my blog, booked a consultation, and generally supported me this last year. Zoloft’s passing was still fresh and I’m still learning to navigate life without him. I’m glad you all stuck with me and I’m glad he continues to live through my work helping other cats.
I hope you and your cats have a fantastic end to 2024 (and if needed, check out my guide with tips on getting your cat through fireworks tonight) and an even better 2025. Happy new year from Poutine, ‘Zac, and I!
