Guide 3 min read
How to choose a cat tree
Height, stability, scratching posts and resting spots: what to look for in a cat tree, and how to match it to your cat and your space.
A good cat tree gives your cat three things in one place: somewhere to climb, somewhere to scratch and somewhere to rest up high. The right one depends less on looks and more on your cat. Here’s how to choose.
Start with your cat
Think about how your cat already uses your home.
- Climbers who sit on top of the fridge or the bookcase will use a tall tree with several levels.
- Loungers who nap on the sofa all afternoon want soft, roomy platforms more than height.
- Shy cats like a hideout: a cubby or condo where they can watch without being seen.
- Senior and large cats need low resting spots, wide platforms and a base that doesn’t move. Our senior and large cats page has the trees that suit them.
Pick a height
Height is fun, but only if your cat can get up and down comfortably and the tree stays steady.
- Under 1 m: a gentle perch for kittens, seniors and cats who don’t climb much, like the 61 cm Blush Perch or the 90 cm Relaxation tree.
- 1 to 1.5 m: the sweet spot for most cats. The 122 cm Hexagon House keeps its hideout low and adds a lookout on top.
- Over 1.5 m: for confident climbers and multi-cat homes. The 165 cm Maine Coon tower and the 206 cm Supreme give everyone their own level.
Measure your ceiling before ordering a tall tower, and leave room for your cat to sit up on the top platform.
Check the base
A tree that wobbles gets ignored, or worse, tips. Look for a wide, heavy base, especially for tall trees and big cats. If your tree comes with a wall strap, use it.
Look for real scratching posts
Most cats scratch after they wake up, so a post right next to their nap spot gets used. Natural rope, like sisal or fique, is the classic surface: rough enough to grip and hard-wearing. Posts should be tall enough for a full stretch.
Make the perches big enough
A cat should be able to lie flat on a platform without hanging over the edge. Raised edges and round beds feel secure; a flat top platform is a favourite lookout. Larger breeds need longer platforms than you might expect.
Choose the spot
Put the tree where your cat wants to be, not where it’s out of the way. Near a window is ideal: cats love to watch birds and people go by. A tree in the room where the family spends its evenings gets used far more than one in a spare room.
Short on floor space?
Go up the wall instead. Wall-mounted shelves, hammocks and climbers give your cat the same height without a footprint. See our guide to planning a cat climbing wall.
Quick picks
- A tree that looks like furniture: the Modern Plywood 3-level, in natural plywood with a rope post.
- For napping: the plush Relaxation tree.
- For seniors: the Hexagon House, with its hideout just 43 cm off the floor.
- For big cats: the Maine Coon tower.
- For the cat who wants everything: the Supreme, six levels, made in Canada.
