Decorating changes more than the wall colour. Doors may be open, equipment moves through the room and familiar resting places disappear behind dust sheets. Plan where your cat's resources will go before work begins, rather than moving them repeatedly as the job progresses.
Create a separate usable space
Choose a suitable room away from the work and set up the resources your cat needs there. Keep resting, food, water and toileting areas appropriately separated within the available space. Cats Protection advises keeping cats away from construction and painting areas, with chemicals and loose fixings out of reach. A dust sheet over a tower does not make an active work area suitable for the cat.
Move familiar items thoughtfully
Retain a familiar bed or hideaway where possible, provided it is clean and safe to use. A floor-level piece such as the Koda Pod may be easier to relocate than a fixed tower, but suitability depends on the individual cat and room. Keep the route to the temporary resources clear and show household members the new arrangement.
Protect stored furniture separately
Follow the furniture's storage and care instructions. Keep it away from wet paint, dust and work chemicals. Do not wrap an item while a cleaned surface is still damp. Store loose parts securely if dismantling is permitted, and keep bags, cords and packaging away from cats.
Check before moving everything back
Confirm with the product instructions or relevant professional when the work area is ready for pets; there is no universal waiting period for all paints or building materials. Remove tools and loose fixings, clean as appropriate and inspect the furniture before use. Recheck any installation affected by the work, including restraints and ceiling contacts.
If the finished room needs a different piece
Measure after the work is complete. New skirting, flooring or a moved radiator can change the usable footprint. Explore existing towers or discuss a bespoke design using the final room details, rather than an earlier estimate.
Keep the temporary arrangement simple and familiar. If the finished room calls for something new, bring the confirmed measurements to Giant Paws.
