SUSTAINABLE DIY CAT FURNITURE: MEETING FELINE BEHAVIORAL NEEDS WHILE ENGAGING OWNERS IN ECO-FRIENDLY DESIGN

บทคัดย่อ

This study investigates how domestic cats adapt their behavior in limited living spaces and how these behaviors affect human-cat coexistence. Employing a mixed-methods research design, it combines longitudinal behavioral observation and owner surveys to assess 30 pet cats across 24 households over a 120-day period. Behavioral data were categorized into five major types—elimination, resting, shedding, entertainment, and scratching—and analyzed using descriptive statistics via SPSS.

  Key findings reveal that while 98% of cats used litter boxes consistently, 12.5% exhibited inappropriate elimination in fixed household locations, indicating environmental or psychological influences. Resting behaviors varied with temperature and furniture material, and 90% of cats avoided designated pet beds. Notably, 95% of cats responded positively to interactive play, yet 41.67% continued to damage household furniture despite having scratching posts, highlighting a need for material-based furniture design optimization.

  This research demonstrates that environmental factors significantly affect feline behavioral expression and emotional security in small spaces. It provides practical design recommendations, including vertical expansion, multi-functional furniture, and biophilic material selection. The results offer a theoretical and empirical foundation for sustainable, behavior-responsive pet furniture design and improve understanding of feline adaptability in dense urban living.