How to Choose a Cat Tree: What I Learned After My Cat Took Over My Bookshelf
I used to think that the Cat Tree was just an ornament until my cat used it as a gym.
To be honest, when I first typed "cat tree cute" into the search box, my thoughts were very simple:
"Could I get something that looks nicer? Not too ugly, and not taking up too much space."
Looking back now, I can see that I was simply too naive at that time.
The whole thing started with a loud crash.
At two o'clock in the morning, I was suddenly awakened by a "thud" sound. When I opened my eyes, I saw my cat standing on the top of the bookshelf, looking at me as if saying, "This is my territory," while a row of books had been overturned on the floor by her.
At that moment, I suddenly understood one thing:
It's not that my cat is naughty; it's just that I never gave her a decent place to be a cat.
The true function of a Cat Tree is not to "allow cats to play", but to "make cats feel at ease".
Many people (including me, in the past) consider a cat tree an "add-on" item.
Having one is nice, and without it, it's still manageable.
But those who have actually raised cats and observed them carefully know that what cats need is not toys, but -
Height.
Cats are naturally inclined to stay in high places:
- See the entire space
- Not easily disturbed
- Always have full control of the situation
If you don't give her a cat tree, she'll find her own.
- Refrigerator top
- wardrobe
- Shelf
- On top of the air conditioner
And you can't get angry either, because in her world, this is completely reasonable.
The first mistake I made: a "too light" cat tree
I have bought that kind of cat tree which looks very cute:
- The color is nice.
- Soft and fluffy
- It looks great in photos.
But the reality is -
As soon as the cat jumped up, the entire shelf started to sway;
She hesitated for a moment, then turned around and continued to climb the bookcase.
At that moment, I realized a cruel truth:
For cats, "safe" always comes before "cute."
It was only later that I began to study the log structure cat tree.
It is heavy, stable, and solid. At first glance, it even looks a bit "big and clumsy", but once the cat climbs on it, it won't come down.
That feeling is quite obvious:
She is no longer "testing", but "occupying".
What exactly does "cute" mean? Not pink, but "just right"
Later, my understanding of the word "cat tree cute" completely changed.
True cuteness is not about being flashy, but rather:
- The size of the platform is just right to allow the cat to lie flat.
- The edge has a curved shape and can be held by the head.
- The heights and lows are uneven, but don't jump too hard.
I found that what cats like the most is often not the highest level, but:
- Being able to see out the window
- Not right in the middle
- A place with a bit of a "private corner" feel
If a cat tree can allow cats to sleep in the same place for a long time, then it is considered a qualified product.
The grab bar is not an accessory; it is a necessity.
I also made a mistake before:
I thought having just a scratching post was enough.
Later, it was discovered that the position, thickness and height of the post directly determined whether the cat would climb onto the sofa.
When a cat claws something, it is actually doing a full-body stretch.
If it claws a pillar:
- Too fine
- Too short
- Too far away from the center.
Then she would go to a more "enjoyable" place, such as your leather sofa.
After I replaced the cat tree with a larger, taller one placed along her main path, the sofa finally "retired".
Multi-cat households? Then it's even more important to buy carefully.
I have a friend who has two cats at home. I always thought they had a bad relationship.
Later, we realized the problem — there was only one high spot in the house.
The cat is not unsociable; it simply doesn't want to share the high spot.
Later, a set of multi-level cat trees was added. Each cat had its own "fixed floor", and suddenly the world became peaceful.
This is why when I look at the cat tree now, my first thought is not "How nice it looks", but:
Can it divert traffic?
Indoor cats are actually much more boring than you might think.
The biggest problem for indoor cats is not the lack of space, but the excessive repetitiveness of their daily routine.
A well-designed cat tree can give cats the following benefits without taking up more floor space:
- Different heights
- Different routes
- Different observation angles
For cats, this is simply "changing the map".
Later, I switched to a wooden cat tree with multiple platforms, a scratching post, and a large sleeping area (from mewzoom). The most obvious change was not that the cat became more active, but rather -
She became quieter.
That kind of quietness is not the kind where one has nothing to do, but rather the kind that expresses "great satisfaction".
Now, when I choose a cat tree, I'm only considering these 5 points.
If you don't want to make mistakes, you can simply refer to my current standards:
1.Is the base heavy enough?
2.Is the structure stable?
3.Can the platform allow adult cats to lie completely flat?
4.Is the scratching post placed where the cat naturally walks by?
5.Is there more than one "good position"?
Those that can simultaneously meet all these requirements are unlikely to be idle.
To conclude, let me say this truthfully.
The cat won't praise you.
But she will tell you the answer by telling you where she spends her time every day.
When a cat chooses to sleep on the cat tree instead of your keyboard, closet or bookcase top, you know -
You have finally given her a decent place to rest.
If you're currently planning to replace your cat's tree, or are still unsure about how to choose, take your time and do some more research on the cat's actual needs.
The right one will make the decision for you.
And you just need to watch her lying there comfortably.