Cute Cat Tree Buying Guide: How to Choose One Your Cat Will Actually Love
The tragic story of my cat's climbing frame: From being ridiculed by the cats to finally finding a cute cat tree that it was willing to look at seriously
If you have a cat at home, you know -
Sometimes, a single look from a cat can make you feel a little less clever. I once bought a cute cat tree that was claimed to be "super cute". But when my cat walked over and sniffed it, it seemed to be saying:
"Did you really think I would use this?" Then it went around and crawled into a cardboard box, sleeping there like a little rat.
So now I choose the cute cat tree not because the cat looks cute,
Now I choose the cute cat tree not because it looks nice, but more because I don't want it to be immediately rejected by my cat. but so that I myself won't be humiliated by the cat.
But I have to admit that when I saw those natural wood-grain cute cat trees by mewzoom,
I suddenly felt that maybe this one wouldn’t be ignored by my cat.
At that moment, I suddenly had a feeling: This time, perhaps the cat won't ignore me. This article is the result of my summarizing my purchasing and usage experiences after going through countless pitfalls,
plus a bunch of real stories featuring my cat as the main character.
If you're planning to buy a cute cat tree for your cat,
or if you just want to know what outrageous things other people's cats have done,
then we might be able to have a good chat today.
One day, I watched the cat climb up on its own for the first time and felt genuinely touched. It happened on a Saturday morning.
I was sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, when my plump orange cat "Fatty" suddenly jumped gently onto the top platform of my newly bought wooden cute cat tree.
It rested there with a calm, dignified posture, looking out of the window, at me, and at the squirrels scurrying by. At that moment, I was completely stunned.
Because before that, I had bought:
- A cute cat tree that easily wobbles like a pirate ship
- A cute cat tree with a woolly fabric covering that has an overly strange smell, causing the cat to avoid approaching it.
- An "adorable" cute cat tree that is so small it's like a table coaster
- There is also a cute cat tree that lasts for three hours, but the cat can jump off it in just three seconds.
I have seen all kinds of unreliable cute cat trees. But this time, Banben simply gave up.
But that time, Banben felt completely at ease and stayed there. Later I realized cats aren’t interested in whether you think they’re cute. What matters to them is more practical:
Is it stable?
Are you feeling okay?
Is it high enough?
Do you have a sense of "territory" of your own?
And that time, it was the first time I realized that the truly adorable aspect of the cute cat tree was not its appearance, but rather that the cat was actually willing to use it.
At that time, I finally understood that "lovely" doesn't refer to appearance; it's about the cat's willingness to use this thing. At that moment, it finally acknowledged me.
It felt like a quiet approval from my cat. I even sensed that in the way he looked at me that day, there was a momentary expression of respect.
Looking into its eyes, I even felt that for a moment it had a bit more trust in me.
Before purchasing a cute cat tree, I always ask myself three soul-searching questions
Now I'm choosing the cute cat tree based on my accumulated experience of being humiliated by the cats.
If you’d rather avoid being embarrassed by your cats, here are some tips.
- Is your cat a "high-up" type or more of a "ground-level" type?
- Does it prefer high perches or staying on the floor? I have two cats: one loves the heights (the orange one, Panben), and the other likes hiding in corners (the black one, Shadow).
So when I pick a cute cat tree now, I pay attention to a few things:
- The top platform should be large and stable.
- The base should include a little cave-like space.
Like the wooden frame with removable soft cushion nests from mewzoom, Shadow treats hers like a tiny office.
Sometimes I can't find her; eventually I discover she’s burrowed inside and curled up into a tiny ball, asleep.
- Can your home actually fit it? (Important.)
Don't laugh — I've seen too many people buy a cute cat tree only to find it won't fit through their door or up the stairs.
My routine is simple but effective:
- Measure the cute cat tree height.
- Measure the ceiling height or space where it will stand.
- Measure the landing area your cat needs for a safe jump.
If your cat zips and races like my Fat Ben, you need to reserve room for takeoff and landing.
- Are you willing to clean it every two weeks?
If you're willing to clean and maintain it, great — you'll have a lot more options. If you’re like me and only clean when absolutely necessary, then be strict about materials: - Choose removable, washable cushions.
- Choose surfaces that don’t trap dirt (wood is much easier than velvet).
I once bought a dark, thick-pile cute cat tree. When I flipped it over, I found it packed with dust and clumps of hair — gross. Since then I've vowed never to buy something I can't inspect and clean by touch.
A major upgrade in our household: from “wobbly” to “solid as old wood”
When Baoping first arrived he was as small as my palm. Back then I bought a fluffy cute cat tree. But as he grew, that toy-like tree turned into a stack of blocks about to collapse. Once he jumped and the whole thing nearly toppled — I had to grab it before it fell. Baoping just sat there calmly, as if to say: “This was a bad design.”
That day I made a firm decision: no more flimsy cute cat trees. From now on, I only choose ones solid enough to feel safe about. I studied construction styles — base size, post thickness, how pieces connect. For the first time I noticed some wooden cute cat trees are built like real furniture: heavy bases, thick posts, large platforms.
Especially designs like mewzoom’s, made from natural wood boards with thick platforms — after reading the manual I could clearly picture my cat sprawled on top like an old man. As expected, when I put it together and Fatty jumped up for the first time, the whole tree stayed rock-steady. I was thrilled with that stability. I even wanted to climb up and sit there myself (but I managed to resist the urge).
Why cats pick certain cute cat trees (it’s not about looks)
Honestly, cats run the house, and the cat tree is their favorite spot.
So they ask themselves a few basic questions:
“Can I stretch out comfortably?”
Fat Ben stretches out like a pancake, so I always check the platform’s lying area to ensure he can fully extend. Some wooden cute cat trees are genuinely big enough; Fat Ben lies on them without looking squashed.
“Will it wobble or fall?”
Cats need a strong sense of security. If it shakes the first time they jump on, they won’t go near it again — I've seen it happen several times.
“Will the height let me see everything?”
Cats love vantage points — a spot where they can look out the window, watch the room, and keep an eye on their human. After I put the cute cat tree by the window, Panben climbed to the top for the first time and watched the delivery guys below with a look that said, “I’m keeping watch.” Since then he's been on duty every day. I half-jokingly say that he's training for a second career as a security guard.
The most effective ways I’ve found to get a cat to actually use the cute cat tree (these work)
- Place the cat tree near the window instead of in a dark corner - cats prefer to have a view and don't like being confined.
- Put familiar-smelling items on the lower levels—old T-shirts or small blankets the cat already likes; it really helps.
- Put a little catnip or a few treats on the top level. Fat Ben climbed up voluntarily the first time because I secretly put a small snack up there. His face then looked like he’d discovered a new land: “Huh—this is nice.”
- Don’t force it. The more you push, the less they care. A cat’s dignity runs deep.
- If you have multiple cats, create two “strategic strongholds.” Once Fat Ben and Shadow fought over the top platform so loudly I almost expected the neighbors to knock. Having separate high spots cuts down on that drama.
Cleaning and maintenance: how I went from lazy to tidy
If you choose the right materials, cleaning isn’t hard. Wood doesn’t trap fur like plush does — a damp cloth and a wipe down usually does the trick. I keep two removable cushions and wash them alternately.
Plush cute cat trees used to drive me nuts — they act like fur magnets, hiding hair and debris deep inside. I now stick to one rule: if it’s hard to clean, I don’t buy it. Easy-to-clean cat trees make life much simpler.
Budget: think of it as the annual fee for your cat’s happiness
I’m not saying you must buy the most expensive, but I’ll be honest: cheap cute cat trees tend not to last. My practical experience is that very cheap cat trees are prone to collapse very quickly, and they start to malfunction within a few months; even mid-range priced ones often begin to wobble within a year. A slightly pricier, solid wooden cute cat tree has lasted us over two years and still looks and performs like new. If we calculate the cost over the course of a day, the durable model turns out to be a better deal - and my cat uses it every day, so it's well worth it for me.
Conclusion: “Cute” really means the cat chooses it
I didn’t buy a cute cat tree to decorate; I bought it to give my two floofs proper territory. Later I realized: “cute” isn’t color, fabric, or fancy design — cute is the cat actually jumping on, snoozing on, and flopping over on it. When you see that, your heart melts.
No matter if you like natural wood, a modern style, or an artistic design, the best sign is that your cat actually enjoys it.