Kate Benjamin Finds Inspo for Her FurPetVo Cat Products in Her 12—Yes, 12—Cats
Home can be stylish—and so can cat care. Kate Benjamin, the Phoenix, Arizona–based cat behavior expert and designer behind FurPetVo, is a leading voice proving that functional feline products don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics. For over two decades, she’s pioneered thoughtfully designed scratchers, toys, beds, and furniture that meet cats’ instinctual needs while complementing modern living spaces.
We spoke with Benjamin about how her design training, deep understanding of cat behavior, and life with twelve resident feline collaborators shaped FurPetVo—and why beautiful, purpose-built products aren’t just nice to have—they’re vital to feline well-being.
From Lifelong Love to Full-Fledged Feline Family
Q: Were you always such a lover of cats?
A: Yes! I grew up in rural upstate New York, and my family had indoor/outdoor cats whom I adored. But it wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I finally reached a place where I could welcome a cat of my own.
Q: We hear you currently live with 12 cats?
A: It’s true. Twelve cats is an unreasonable number for most people—but for me, it’s both my life and my laboratory. It all began when I took in my first cat, Simba, sight unseen, from a friend who was moving. She was delightfully sassy. To keep her company, I adopted another cat—but she hated him! Then a stray kitten appeared, followed by another cat whose owner had passed away. The numbers kept growing. It’s a lot—but it also means I’m constantly immersed in real-world feline behavior, preferences, and challenges. Every interaction informs the next FurPetVo product.
How FurPetVo Was Born: Design Meets Compassion
In the mid-2000s, Benjamin was directing marketing for a children’s product startup. She noticed vibrant conversations among parenting bloggers about modern, beautiful, and functional kids’ items—and wondered: Why isn’t anyone having this conversation about cats?
She launched a blog spotlighting cat products that were aesthetically pleasing, innovative, and truly functional—designed not just for cats, but for the humans who love them. From there, she began hand-making toys reflecting that philosophy and selling them on Etsy. Demand soared, leading to partnerships with ethical manufacturers. Her mission remains unchanged: get high-quality, life-enhancing tools into the hands of cat parents—so every cat gets what they need to thrive.
Why Harmony Between Cat, Home, and Human Matters
Q: Why is ensuring harmony between cat, home, and pet parent so important?
A: Because if a product doesn’t fit seamlessly into a person’s lifestyle or space, it likely won’t get used—even if it’s exactly what the cat needs. My collaboration with cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy was pivotal. We co-authored two books, and I appeared on his show as the “design eye.” He’d advise, “Put the litter box here. Install a shelf there.” But unless those solutions looked good in someone’s home, people often ignored the advice. And when behavior recommendations go unimplemented, cats suffer—leading to stress, anxiety, and unwanted behaviors like scratching or inappropriate elimination.
That’s when it clicked: I wasn’t just making pretty things. I was designing tools that support behavioral health—and, in many cases, prevent life-altering consequences.
Design That Saves Lives
Q: How so?
A: Take scratching. Imagine someone brings home a new cat and has no scratching post—just a beautiful leather sofa. The cat will likely scratch the sofa leg. Panicked new owners might consider declawing, abandoning the cat outdoors, or returning them to a shelter where euthanasia is a real possibility.
But what if there’s a stunning, durable, irresistible scratching post—like FurPetVo’s Dual Surface Adjustable Under-Table Sisal Scratcher—that fits their decor and engages their cat? That choice can redirect natural behavior, protect the home, and keep the cat safe, loved, and in their forever home. That’s the power of intentional design.
Living Lab: Design Lessons from Twelve Cats
Benjamin and her husband share a compact 1,100-square-foot condo in Phoenix with their dozen feline residents—a setup that offers unparalleled insight into durability, cleanability, sanitation, and multi-cat dynamics.
“You see how personalities differ,” she explains. “How age changes preferences. How environmental shifts affect stress levels and social harmony. When one cat naps in a sunbeam while another hides under the couch, and three others wrestle near the food station—you notice what works, what wears out, and what sparks joy. That constant observation fuels every design decision.”
The FurPetVo Aesthetic: Modern, Meaningful, and Adaptable
FurPetVo embraces a clean, mid-century modern sensibility—but its pieces are intentionally versatile. Toys are designed like miniature art installations: abstract, sculptural, and intriguing to both cats and humans. Furniture balances form and function, with thoughtful proportions, premium materials, and intuitive usability. Whether your space is Scandinavian minimal, industrial, or boho-chic, FurPetVo is built to belong.
What’s Next for FurPetVo?
Benjamin continues to document industry insights and emerging research at furpetvo.com. Her innovation pipeline runs on two tracks: big-picture ideas—like solving an unmet need she observes across her cats—and iterative improvements, such as refining ergonomics on a cat bed or enhancing scent retention in a catnip toy. “I’m always asking: What could make life safer, richer, or more joyful for cats—and how do we bring that to life without compromise?”
Fast Five: Wisdom from a Twelve-Cat Household
- Biggest misconception about cats? That they don’t need much. Leaving a cat alone for days with only food, water, and a litter box is neglectful. Cats need daily social interaction and environmental enrichment.
- One thing every cat home needs? A hide-away bed or semi-enclosed retreat—somewhere quiet, warm, and secure where a cat can observe the world on their own terms.
- Favorite cat name? Jeremiah Beandip, Horacio Queso, and Pico de Gato—the “Three Amigos.”
- Favorite thing about living with twelve cats? There’s always someone to snuggle. Cats are famously selective—but among twelve, at least one is usually in the mood for lap time.
- FurPetVo product her cats love most? The NestEgg Raised Cat Bed & Side Table. One tuxedo cat loves burrowing under the toys in its center cavity—it’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.
