Cute Cat Tree Guide from an Artist: How to Choose a Safe and Stylish Cat Tree at Home
I originally just wanted to buy a "cute cat tree", but now even when friends come to my house, they will first go and see it.
To be honest, if someone had told me three years ago:
"Your future work will involve thoroughly studying the structure of cats climbing trees and also discussing the density of wood."
I will definitely roll my eyes and then continue to paint my pictures.
But that's life. One day, you suddenly realize that at 2 a.m., you're eating a cold pizza while comparing the size and load-bearing capacity of the cute cat tree on your phone, and you even send a message to a friend at the same time:
"Do you think 38 inches is too high? My cat seems a little afraid of heights, but it also loves to show its bravery."
She replied to me with:
"You have completely turned into a cat mom."
At that time, I didn't admit it.
Now I do admit it, and I'm quite proud of it.
The beginning of the story is a ruined canvas.
I'm a painter and most of my time is spent working at home.
My studio is actually just a corner of the living room. There are always paints, brushes and two cats beside the easel.
One is called Mochi and is as elegant as a noble.
The other is called Pepper and has a personality like a child who has just learned to run and can never stop.
One morning, as I got up to continue painting a landscape, I noticed four very distinct paw prints on the canvas.
Not the small kind.
But the kind of paw prints that say —
"I jumped here and I don't regret it at all."
I stood there, remaining silent for about ten seconds.
Then I smiled.
Because I suddenly realized:
The problem is not with the cats.
The problem is that I haven't given them a place of their own.
At that moment, I finally understood: Cats really do need a "high place".
Previously, I always thought that for a cat, all it needed was food, water and a soft cushion.
But later, I gradually realized that the thing they liked to do the most was:
Climb up high and then observe the world.
Not lying on the ground.
Not curled up on the sofa.
Rather than:
- Standing on the top of the bookshelf
- Squatting on the window sill
- Or simply jumping onto the refrigerator
Once, Pepper even tried to climb onto the wall rack where my paintings were hung.
At that moment, I suddenly felt a bit scared because if she fell down, she really might get hurt.
That night, I did one thing seriously:
I began to study how cats climb trees.
It's not just buying any tree.
It's a careful study.
For the first time, I realized that when it comes to cat trees, there are actually two aspects to consider: "being effective" and "looking good".
At first, I made the choice purely based on the appearance.
At that time, I saw a pink cat tree. There were little balls, tunnels and fluffy decorations on it, and it looked extremely cute.
I placed the order directly.
After a month, I began to regret it.
It's not because the cat doesn't like it.
It's because it's starting to sway.
It's not the kind of swaying that's about to collapse.
But rather the kind of swaying that makes you feel a little uneasy every time you see it.
One day, Mochi jumped off the top floor, and the entire structure shook slightly.
From that day on, she never went up there again.
Cats are really vindictive.
And it's specifically when it comes to matters of security.
From that point on, I began to pay close attention to the "structure" rather than the color.
This sounds a bit like buying furniture, but in fact, it really is.
Later, I gradually came up with a very simple logic:
A good cat tree is not just cute in appearance, but also reassuring to use.
Now when I watch a cat climbing a tree, I will first look at these:
- Is the base heavy enough?
- Are the pillars sturdy?
- Is the platform wide enough?
- Can the fabric be removed for washing?
It sounds quite rational, right?
But in fact, all of these are experiences forced upon us by life.
Once, my friend came to my house and, looking at that tree that the cat climbed, said something particularly true.
She stood in the center of the living room, looked around, and then pointed to the cat tree by the window and said:
"This thing doesn't look like a pet product; it more resembles a piece of furniture."
I was extremely happy at that time.
Because that was exactly the feeling I was looking for.
I don't want our home to look like a pet store.
And I don't want to compromise the comfort of the cat.
I hope it is both practical and attractive, and can seamlessly blend into daily life.
Later, I gradually realized that many designs are indeed moving in this direction.
For instance, some wooden cute cat trees have simpler lines and softer colors, and they look more like a corner of the home rather than just a toy.
It was on the day when I saw a cat tree shaped like the moon and stars that I truly began to make a serious comparison.
It was a very ordinary Sunday afternoon.
I was coloring an artwork when my phone suddenly vibrated.
It was a link sent by a friend of mine who also has a cat.
She said only one sentence:
"This is a bit like your style."
I clicked on it and saw that it was a cat tree with the "moon and star" design.
It's not the kind of overly childish card animation.
It's more like the gentle design that would appear in a fairy tale book.
My first reaction wasn't "So cute".
Rather:
This thing actually has a bit of an artistic touch.
As a painter, I am really sensitive to the visual environment.
I want the things in my home to look comfortable rather than messy.
At that moment, I suddenly realized:
Cat trees can actually also be a kind of design.
But what really made me decide to choose carefully was this issue of cleanliness.
If you have a cat, you surely know.
Cat fur is really everywhere.
There is on the sofa.
There is on the floor.
There is on the clothes.
Once a friend of mine came to my house and wore a pair of black pants.
Less than five minutes after sitting down, she looked at the cat hair on her legs and said:
"I look as if I just held a bear in my arms."
We both laughed for a long time.
But cleanliness is indeed a practical issue.
I once bought a cat tree. The cushion on top was fixed and couldn't be removed or washed.
After half a year, it began to have a slight smell.
It's not very serious, but you will notice it.
And once you notice it, it's very difficult to ignore.
Since then, I have almost only considered one design:
The cushion must be detachable for easy washing.
This is not about being meticulous.
This is about survival experience.
There was another detail that I never thought of before: The number of layers is really crucial.
Many people think that the higher a cat climbs the tree, the better.
But that's not true.
What cats prefer more is:
There are multiple stopover points.
For example:
Jump onto the first floor and stop for a moment.
Then jump to the second floor and observe.
Finally, go to the top floor.
It's like we climb the stairs instead of jumping directly to the roof.
Later on, I realized that the three-layer structure was just perfect.
It won't be too complicated or too monotonous.
And it is very natural to use with cats.
One of my favorite little things is seeing them peacefully resting on top at night.
Previously, I was often awakened at night.
At two o'clock in the morning, Pepper will sprint in the living room.
It will jump from the sofa to the table and then to the window ledge.
This kind of situation has become much less common now.
Because they have places to play, places to climb and places to rest during the day.
It becomes easier to be quiet at night.
Sometimes when I get up to drink water in the middle of the night, I would see Mochi lying high up, with its tail gently swaying, looking out at the street lights outside.
That moment was truly quiet.
And also very gentle.
If you are currently considering buying a cat tree as well, I will offer you these suggestions as if you were a friend.
It was not an expert's advice.
It was just the real experience of an ordinary cat owner.
First: Stability is always more important than appearance.
If it keeps shaking, the cat will soon give up.
Second: Choose a more complex structure, which usually makes you feel more at ease.
Especially the designs featuring solid wood or thick bases.
You might complain a little when you move.
But after using it for a while, you will thank yourself.
Third: There should be at least three stops.
Cats need a place to rest, not to keep jumping all the time.
Fourth: The ability to be disassembled and washed is truly of great importance.
In the future, you will thank yourself for the decisions you made now.
I promise.
Fifth: Treat the cat tree as a piece of furniture when making the selection.
Because it will stay in your house for a long time.
And it will be seen every day.
Finally, let me say something truly honest.
I used to think that cats were just a part of life.
Now I think they are actually gradually changing our lives.
For example, at present:
When choosing furniture, I would first consider:
"Will the cat like it?"
When I arrange the rooms, I will first ask myself,
"Is this place suitable for them to stay?"
It sounds a bit exaggerated.
But if you have ever owned a cat, you surely understand.
Sometimes happiness is really quite simple.
It was just an ordinary afternoon. You were sitting on the sofa, holding a cup of coffee in your hand.
Looking up, you saw your cat lying quietly on that cute cat tree.
The sunlight was shining right on its back.
At that moment, you will suddenly feel:
This family is truly complete now.