The Very Best Cat Trees
A cat tree is an excellent way to make your home both more inviting and more exciting for your kitty — especially if they’re an exclusively indoor cat. “Cat trees are great because they allow your cat to climb and observe what’s going on in their environment, it provides them with a safe place that’s entirely theirs, and it’s a scratching surface as well,” says cat-behavior consultant Dr. Mikel Delgado. If your cat is constantly shredding your couch, perching on your counter, or clawing up your curtains, it may be worth investing in a piece of furniture dedicated to letting them act on their natural instincts. Below, we’ve consulted with multiple veterinarians and cat experts on what makes a great cat tree — and how to ensure that it doesn’t become a futile expense for a disinterested feline friend.
Summary of items we will discuss in this buying guide :
Armarkat Classic Real Wood Cat Tree - Silver Gray
Tangkula Multi-Level Cat Tree with Scratching Posts and Ladder - 36"
MAU Modern Cat Tree Tower
Feandrea WoodyWonders Cat Tree
Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Tower
Catastrophic Creations Juggernaut Cat Condo
Our top picks :
Armarkat Classic Real Wood Cat Tree - Silver Gray
Young, spry kittens have a lot of energy and may benefit from cat trees that challenge by requiring them to perform a variety of maneuvers. “There are various trees that are almost connected by extremes,” says Dr. Evans. “They have to walk across ladders and do big acrobatic things to get around. As much as you can encourage the chaos for these kittens, the better for them.” This Armarkat tree, which is approved by cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy (of My Cat From Hell fame), is equipped with an assortment of obstacles; kittens can bat at the hanging toys, scamper up the rope ladder, balance in the hammock, or leap through the air to reach the farthest perch. The tree is championed by Benjamin, who likes it for its “modern and streamlined look.”
Tangkula Multi-Level Cat Tree with Scratching Posts and Ladder - 36"
Unlike kittens, senior cats may not be quite so thrilled at the idea of having to perform feats of gymnastics to access their favorite resting spot. If your feline friend is on the older side, look for a cat tree that’s lower to ground, “has platforms that are not as far apart, and more soft places to lounge,” says Benjamin. This 36-inch-tall cat tree isn’t too complicated, is lined all over with plush faux fleece for maximum coziness, and comes with a nice gentle ramp, in case your cat has trouble with jumping or climbing. It’s also a good choice for cats who are a bit heavier or just have a more laid-back personality.
MAU Modern Cat Tree Tower
Michelle Humphrey, owner of “catfluencer” Rosie, wanted a sleek, chic cat tree that would be a good-looking addition to her space. This Mau tree came up in her search because “the brand has some really beautiful images” on its Instagram: “They just look really clean and elevated,” Humphrey says. Of course, just because a cat tree is aesthetically appealing doesn’t mean your cat will use it, but according to Humphrey, Rosie took to the tree like a duck to water. “She’s obsessed with it. She seems to gravitate toward the basket design — she’s always napping and cuddling up in them,” Humphrey says. “I think she feels really snug and secure.” The tree shows little wear and tear even after a year of use, with next to no fraying or shedding, and its sturdy design means Rosie can easily claw her way to the top to look out the window and observe “the birds, squirrels, and people walking by.”
Feandrea WoodyWonders Cat Tree
For a still stylish but less splurge-y option, Samantha Rober, owner of “catfluencers” Pesto and Tessie, has this Feandrea cat tree that’s less than half the price of the Mau one. Rober has “a very specific aesthetic in my house, and the darker wood and clean white matches it really well,” she says. “It’s not like one of those classic ugly cat trees, where it’s super-obvious that I have cats running around everywhere.” Both of her cats like to nap in the cave and avail themselves of the different perches. “It’s so cute when they’re on two different levels and they’re both looking outside,” she says, adding that they also enjoy lolling in the hammock and sharpening their claws on the scratching posts.
Necoichi Cozy Cat Scratcher Tower
Clocking in at a height of just 23 inches, this double-decker tower has just about the same dimensions as a small end table, making it perfect for those without much room to spare. It comes recommended by “Hana,” the anonymous owner of Instagram “catfluencers” Dewey and Rudy. Even though it’s made entirely from recycled cardboard, she’s found it to be “quite sturdy,” and the lounging platforms have a comfortable concave-bowl shape that her cats enjoy sleeping in: “It’s so cute when they stack on top of each other,” she told us. The entire tower can also double as a scratcher, since the fine-grain cardboard is perfect for sharpening claws; once the scratcher pads start looking a bit worse for wear, “you can just replace them, which is nice and sustainable,” Hana advises. “My boys are quite picky, but they immediately took to this, which I think says something.”
Catastrophic Creations Juggernaut Cat Condo
To save even more floor space, consider an entirely wall-mounted cat condo. This Catastrophic Creations obstacle course is certainly pricey, but it was more than worth it for musician Elizabeth Patton, who splurged on two Juggernaut units when she adopted a litter of five kittens. “The attention to detail and quality of the little things is impressive,” Patton says, singling out the wood’s satin finish, which “provides a decent grip for the cats”; the “incredibly well-designed” mounts that “can take a beating”; and the sturdy canvas fabric, which “holds up well to the wear and tear” and is easy to replace or wash. As for how the cats like it, Patton says she needs “a 360-degree camera to capture the vortex of cats racing up and down the walls during their hyperactivity spells.” She combined bits and pieces from the two sets to create a path where “they can go from our upstairs landing down one wall to the couch we sit on.” Then she installed more shelves on her balcony and fireplace walls to give the cats four different routes to go between the first and second floors. There’s also a section over the front door “to give them a perch to watch comings and goings without being underfoot,” she says. “They love lounging up high to observe us.”
