A cat tree gives your cat what is often missing in a flat: height, a scratching post and a lookout. It still has to be stable, suited to their build and placed in the right spot. Here are the criteria to check before buying, and how to get them to accept it.
What a cat tree is for
It brings together several needs in a single piece of furniture:
- climbing and burning off energy, even in a small home;
- scratching, to maintain their claws and mark their territory;
- watching the room or the street from a high point;
- resting in a nook or on a platform, apart.
Well placed, it also draws attention away from your sofa and your curtains.
The criteria that matter
Stability, above all
If the tree wobbles when the cat jumps on it, they may never climb it again. Check for:
- a wide, heavy base, in proportion to the height;
- thick, well-screwed posts;
- the option of fixing tall models to the wall or ceiling.
In a shop, push it with one hand at the top. If it sways, walk away.
Height
The higher it is, the safer the cat feels at the top. But a big tree must be all the more stable. For a kitten or an older cat, prefer levels close together, which they can step between without big jumps. A senior cat will also appreciate a ramp or steps.
The scratching post
The scratching post must be tall enough for your cat to stretch out fully, front legs extended. Sisal is a very common material: it holds up well and most cats like it. Choose a model whose posts can be replaced, because sisal wears out.
Platforms their size
A large or slightly heavy cat needs wide platforms and roomy nooks. Otherwise, they just look at them. Measure your cat lying curled up and compare with the stated dimensions.
Easy-care materials
Removable, washable fabrics make care simpler. Solid wood or thick plywood lasts longer than chipboard. And since the tree will stay in your living room, choose a shape and colour that go with your furniture.
Matching the tree to your cat
- Kitten: low levels close together, hanging toys, solid materials because they will hang on to it from every angle.
- Active adult cat: height, several levels, a lookout at the top.
- Older cat: little height, wide platforms, easy access, a soft cushion.
- Several cats: several high points, so that each has a place without conflict.
Little space?
In a studio, a big tree can take up too much floor space. There are other options: a compact ceiling-fixed tree, which takes up very little room, or a series of sturdy wall shelves, set like a staircase, with a scratching post beside them. The cat gains the same height, and your floor stays free. Just check that each shelf supports their weight and is wide enough for them to settle on without slipping.
Where to put it
The position matters as much as the model. A tree on its own in a room where nobody goes often stays empty.
- Near a window, so that they can look outside. Check that the window is made safe.
- In the living area, where you spend your evenings. A cat likes to see you without necessarily being on your lap.
- Next to the piece of furniture they scratch, if they already go for your sofa. You offer them an alternative in the right place.
- Against a wall, which steadies the tree and reassures the cat, who keeps their back covered.
Avoid the immediate surroundings of the litter tray or the bowl, and areas in full sun in summer.
Getting them to accept it
Some cats climb to the top on the first day. Others need time. To encourage them:
- play with a feather wand around and along the tree;
- put a treat or a little catnip on a platform;
- lay a blanket that carries their scent on one level;
- do not carry them to the top by force.
For more ideas for games up high, read Keeping an Indoor Cat Busy: Games, Height and Routines.
Looking after it
Once a month, tighten the screws and check the stability. Vacuum the hair from the platforms, wash removable cushions and replace the sisal when it is too frayed. A well-kept tree stays safe, and your cat keeps using it.
If your cat still scratches your furniture despite the tree, our guide Protecting Your Furniture From Cat Claws will help.
In short
- Stability first: heavy base, thick posts, wall fixing if needed.
- A scratching post tall enough for them to stretch out.
- Platforms suited to their build and age.
- Put it near a window, in the room where you live.
- Tighten the screws and replace worn sisal.