Best Cat Tree for Norwegian Forest Cat | What I’d Actually Buy

Best Cat Tree for Norwegian Forest Cat: What I’d Actually Buy for a Big, Fluffy Cat

If you have a Norwegian Forest Cat, you’ve probably already noticed one small problem:

Most ordinary cat trees feel a little like putting a big guy in kids’ shoes.

I’ve seen plenty of cat trees that look tall and impressive—almost like tiny cat castles in the product photos. Then a large Norwegian Forest Cat actually jumps onto one, and suddenly the whole thing starts wobbling like the last subway home on a Friday night.

So if I were choosing a cat tree for a Norwegian Forest Cat again, I wouldn’t start with the color. I wouldn’t start with how many beds it has, either.

I’d start with three things:

Is it stable? Is it wide enough? And can my cat actually stretch out on it?

Those three things matter much more to me than whether a cat tree looks expensive.

Why Does a Norwegian Forest Cat Need a Different Kind of Cat Tree?

A Norwegian Forest Cat isn’t just an average cat that happens to be a little bigger.

They have large frames, long bodies, thick coats, and they tend to enjoy climbing, observing, and finding high places to hang out. For them, a cat tree isn’t simply a piece of furniture for napping. It’s more like:

A climbing wall + lookout tower + couch + scratching station + private office.

Okay, the last one is my joke.

But when your cat is sitting on the highest platform, surveying the living room with the expression of someone who personally owns the building, it’s hard to argue.

The real problem is that many standard cat trees are designed with small- or medium-sized cats in mind. A platform may be large enough for a smaller cat to sit on, but not necessarily large enough for a big cat to turn around comfortably. A post may support an average cat just fine, but that doesn’t mean it will handle the repeated impact of a larger cat jumping and landing on it.

That’s why when I’m looking for the best cat tree for a Norwegian Forest Cat, my first rule is:

Don’t just look at the static weight capacity. Think about the dynamic force created when your cat jumps, climbs, and lands.

That’s why I tend to favor sturdy construction, a wide base, and thick support posts.

The 7 Things I Look for in a Norwegian Forest Cat Cat Tree

1. The Base Matters More Than You Think

When most people shop for a cat tree, they look at the height first.

I look at the base.

A 70-inch cat tree with a narrow, lightweight base can turn into a physics experiment when a cat weighing 15 pounds—or more—launches itself onto it.

When a cat jumps down from a high platform, the structure has to absorb much more impact than it would if the cat were simply sitting there.

So I look for:

• A wide, thick base
  
• A relatively low center of gravity
  
• Multiple support points
  
• Solid connections between components
  
• A design that sits firmly on the floor once assembled

For example, Mewzoom’s Mewswing 70" Solid Wood Cat Tree measures approximately 23.2 × 23.2 × 66.5 inches and weighs about 37 pounds, with a solid wood base and natural sisal-wrapped scratching posts.

I especially like the thinking behind this kind of design: the height provides the vertical space cats want, while the substantial base helps keep the whole thing from turning into a giant cat trampoline.

2. The Platforms Need to Be Actually Big

This is one of those details people overlook.

A cat tree platform shouldn’t be considered “large enough” just because your cat’s butt can technically fit on it.

For a Norwegian Forest Cat, I want a platform that lets the cat:

Sit down, turn around, lie down, and still have all four paws somewhere on the platform.

And this matters even more with long-haired cats.

What you see is a giant fluffy ball.

Under all that fur is a seriously substantial cat.

If the platform is too small, your cat may simply decide not to use it. Then you get the classic situation:

You spend a few hundred dollars on a cat tree.

Your cat looks at it.

Then jumps onto your couch.

Thank you, cat.

That’s why I prefer designs with generous resting platforms. Mewswing 70" also specifically emphasizes spacious resting areas designed for larger, long-haired cats.

3. The Scratching Posts Shouldn’t Look Delicate

If your cat loves scratching, you’ll understand this immediately.

A good scratching post isn’t just a place for your cat to sharpen its claws. It should allow the cat to:

Stand up, stretch out, and really dig in.

That’s why I’m not a huge fan of scratching posts that are about as thick as a pair of chopsticks.

Natural sisal is a practical choice because it provides noticeable resistance and can hold up to repeated scratching.

When I’m choosing a cat tree for a Norwegian Forest Cat, I pay close attention to:

• The diameter of the scratching posts
  
• How much of the post is covered in sisal
  
• The overall height of the scratching area
  
• Whether the cat can fully stretch its body
  
• How securely the scratching posts connect to the main structure

Mewzoom’s Mewswing 70" uses natural sisal-wrapped scratching posts. The Okra 67" takes a slightly different approach, using a full-length vertical sisal scratching panel that gives cats more room for longer scratching sessions.

That’s especially useful for the kind of cat that says, “I’m not scratching the couch. I’m simply conducting structural research.”

You know the type.

4. Height Matters, but “Taller Is Always Better” Is the Wrong Idea

Norwegian Forest Cats tend to enjoy high places. That’s true.

But I wouldn’t recommend buying the tallest cat tower you can find just for the sake of height.

What really matters is:

Height + stability + an easy route up and down.

An 80-inch cat tree with tiny platforms, awkward jumps, and a lot of wobbling isn’t necessarily better than a well-designed 65- or 70-inch cat tree.

Around 70 inches can already provide excellent vertical space.

Mewzoom’s current lineup includes the Mewswing at approximately 70.9 inches and the Natural Dainty in the 70-inch range, while the Okra is approximately 67 inches tall.

For a typical American living room, that’s already plenty of vertical real estate.

And there’s another very practical issue:

Check your ceiling height first.

A cat tree isn’t automatically cooler just because it’s taller—especially if it ends up fighting with your ceiling fan.

That’s not the kind of interior design statement anyone wants.

5. Give Your Cat a Comfortable Route Up and Down

I used to think the more complicated a cat tree was, the better.

I eventually realized that’s not necessarily true.

What cats really need is a natural movement path.

A good cat tree for a large cat should give them something like:

Lower climbing area → middle resting spot → high lookout → safe route back down.

If every platform is too far apart, your cat has to make huge jumps over and over again, which can make the tree less enjoyable to use.

I pay even more attention to this if the Norwegian Forest Cat is getting older.

That’s another reason I like multi-level designs instead of simply turning the entire thing into one extremely tall pole.

For younger, active cats, multiple platforms create a natural climbing and play route. For older cats, thoughtfully spaced levels can reduce the need for big jumps.

6. A Hidden Space Is Usually a Bonus

Norwegian Forest Cats may look like majestic woodland royalty, but they don’t always want to be on display.

Sometimes they just want to disappear and take a nap.

That’s why I prefer a cat tree that offers both:

Open platforms + a partially enclosed or enclosed resting area.

Open platforms satisfy their need to observe.

Enclosed spaces provide a sense of security.

That combination is much more useful to me than having one giant fluffy bed and nothing else.

For example, the Mewswing 70" combines open platforms with an enclosed condo. The Okra 67" also includes an enclosed resting area with an open design that gives the cat some privacy without completely cutting off airflow or visibility.

7. Think About Cleaning Before the Cat Tree Starts Smelling

This is one of the most overlooked parts of buying a cat tree.

Long-haired cat means:

Hair. Lots of hair. Hair everywhere.

So I don’t just ask whether the cat will like the cat tree. I also ask whether I’m going to regret owning it six months later.

I prefer features such as:

• Removable cushions
  
• Surfaces that are easy to vacuum
  
• Fewer places for hair to get trapped
  
• Replaceable or maintainable components
  
• Materials that don’t collect excessive dust

This matters especially if the cat tree is going in the middle of your living room.

You can buy the most beautiful cat tree in the world, but if three months later it looks like a retired gray alpaca, nobody is going to be thrilled.

So, What Actually Counts as the Best Cat Tree for a Norwegian Forest Cat?

If I had to sum it up in one sentence:

I’d choose a cat tree that is tall, stable, spacious, and genuinely designed around a large cat’s body—not one that simply has the most levels or the fanciest shape.

Here are the designs I’d pay particular attention to.

Mewswing 70": Great for Cats That Love Climbing and High Lookout Spots

This is the type of design I think makes a lot of sense for a large cat.

It stands approximately 70.9 inches tall and combines a solid wood base, natural sisal scratching posts, multiple platforms, and resting areas. 

If your Norwegian Forest Cat has the classic personality of, “I need to be up here so I can see everything you’re doing,” I’d put this type of tall, sturdy design near the top of my list.

Okra 67": Good for Cats That Like to Watch, Scratch, and Hide

The Okra 67" measures approximately 31 × 15 × 67 inches and weighs about 35.6 pounds. It includes multiple levels, vertical scratching areas, an enclosed resting space, and a top observation area.

One thing I like about this style is that not every surface is covered in soft padding.

For a large cat, a stable, solid platform can sometimes be more useful than an ultra-soft little bed.

51-Inch Cat Trees: Better for Smaller Spaces

If you live in an apartment, I wouldn’t turn your entire living room into a cat amusement park just because your Norwegian Forest Cat enjoys being up high.

A design like the Okra Rattan 51" stands approximately 51.2 inches tall while offering a solid wood structure, scratching posts, a rattan-style top resting area, and multiple platforms.

It isn’t the option I’d choose if my only goal were maximizing vertical space, but for a smaller room, it may actually make more sense.

How Tall Should a Norwegian Forest Cat Cat Tree Be?

This is probably one of the questions I get asked most often.

My answer is:

There isn’t one perfect height for every cat.

But if I have the space, I generally consider 60–70 inches a very practical range.

A young, energetic cat that loves climbing may enjoy something taller.

For an older cat, I’d pay more attention to the distance between platforms and the overall route up and down.

And if the cat tree is especially tall, I’d check a few things:

1.Is the floor completely level?
2.Is the base wide enough?
3.Are all the screws properly tightened?
4.Does the tree noticeably wobble when the cat jumps onto the top platform?
5.Does it need additional anchoring to the wall?

Especially with a large cat, stability isn’t a bonus feature. It’s a basic requirement.

One Test I Always Recommend: Give It a Push

Once the cat tree is assembled, don’t immediately put your cat on it.

I’d first give it a gentle push from different directions.

Not enough to knock it over.

Just enough to see:

Does it noticeably wobble?

Then watch what happens when your cat makes its first jump from the lower level to the middle platform and eventually to the top.

If every landing makes the entire cat tree sway noticeably, I wouldn’t consider it a great choice for a large cat.

Some product pages list static weight capacities, but for a cat tree, I still put dynamic stability much higher on my list.

After all, cats don’t fill out a form and politely ask permission before jumping.

They launch.

Is a Solid Wood Cat Tree Worth It?

Personally, I like solid wood construction for a pretty simple reason:

It generally feels more substantial, and visually, it can look much more like real furniture.

That’s especially nice in homes with Scandinavian, Japandi, minimalist, or modern organic interiors, where a traditional carpet-covered cat tree can sometimes look a little out of place.

A solid wood cat tree can blend into the living room much more naturally.

Mewzoom currently uses solid wood construction across several of its cat tree designs, including the Mewswing, Okra, and Natural Dainty.

But I wouldn’t automatically give a cat tree five stars just because the words “solid wood” appear on the product page.

I’d still look at:

The base, the connections, the platform size, the scratching posts, and the overall weight.

The name of the material doesn’t replace good structural design.

My Final Checklist Before Buying

If you’re shopping for the best cat tree for a Norwegian Forest Cat, I’d quickly go through these questions before hitting the checkout button:

• Is the base wide and stable enough?
  
• Can my cat fully stretch out on the platforms?
  
• Are the scratching posts thick and tall enough?
  
• Does it use durable scratching material such as natural sisal?
  
• Is the top platform large enough for a big cat?
  
• Can my cat comfortably move between levels?
  
• Is there a quiet place to hide?
  
• Are the cushions easy to remove and clean?
  
• Does the structure wobble after assembly?
  
• Is the height appropriate for my ceiling?
  
• Can I place the cat tree somewhere away from things the cat could knock into?
  
• If my cat gets older, can it still use the tree without making huge jumps?

If I can’t confidently answer three or four of those questions, I’d slow down before buying.

The One Thing I Really Want to Remind You

When you’re shopping for a cat tree for a Norwegian Forest Cat, it’s incredibly easy to get distracted by words like huge, luxurious, extra-tall, and multi-level.

But what does your cat actually care about?

Pretty simple stuff:

Can I climb up safely?

Can I lie down comfortably?

Does this scratching post feel good?

Can I sit at the top and see out the window?

Most of the rest is for us humans.

I’ve always thought a good cat tree shouldn’t just be another piece of “pet furniture.” It should become a real vertical living space that your cat actually wants to use while still fitting naturally into your home.

If I were setting up a space for a Norwegian Forest Cat today, I’d prioritize a height somewhere around 60–70 inches, generous platforms, a sturdy base, sufficiently long scratching posts, and a combination of open platforms and enclosed resting spaces.

And the appearance?

Of course it should look good, too.

After all, the cat gets to treat it like a throne.

I’m the one who has to look at it every day.

The least we can do is make the deal fair for both of us.