How to Choose the Perfect Cat Tree: A Real Guide from a Human Trained by Cats
The "Decoration Guide" for My Cat: The True Experience of a Human Under the Control of Cats When Choosing a Cat Tree
Every time I start researching new cat trees, I can't help but recall the expression on my cat's face when it first saw the tall tower-shaped cat tree. Standing at the top, it looked like it was about to go live and announce its promotion to 'CEO of the household.'
That absurd little ‘promotion ceremony’ is exactly why I started taking cat trees way more seriously. You can ignore the color of the walls, the lines of the sofa, and the material of the carpet, but this cat tree—it's basically my cat’s emotional security blanket.
Recently, I came across the "new arrivals" section on mewzoom. Several new products featuring woven baskets, thick hemp rope handles, and wide bases caught my attention. As I looked, I found myself thinking, ‘Wait — haven’t I basically designed this after years of being trained by my cat?’
So I decided to jot down everything I’ve learned buying cat posts, scratch posts, sleeping nests, and jumping platforms — the mistakes, the surprises, and the hard-won truths.
If this helps you avoid one needless cat-tree climb or spare you a disapproving glare from your cat, it’s worth it.
1.The first lesson I learned: Don't let the cat tree dictate the style of your home
Most people buy cat trees by looking at the colors, photos and heights on the display page.
But me, I look at it from the perspective of my cat at home.
Have you ever tried it?
Try crouching down to cat level and take a look around.
The first time I did it, I had a small, alarming revelation:
"Oh my god, that's why it always jumps onto the dining table…
From its perspective, there is simply no 'vantage point' from which it could overlook the entire room."
From that moment on, I no longer regarded the cat tree as just decoration, but as "a second-floor loft for the cat".
If you place it in a dark corner, it's no different from having it in an underground parking lot.
Later, I discovered that some of Mewzoom's new products have particularly friendly dimensions—not those that are extremely tall or wide, but with reasonable increments, resting spots, and observation platforms.
Some even have specific heights marked, such as 33 inches, 51 inches, and 70 inches.
These details are simply a salvation for someone like me who is obsessed with measurements.
These little measurements are a lifesaver for someone like me who’s obsessed with dimensions.
2.Lesson 2: Height is not necessarily better the higher it is; stability is what matters.
When I was young and naive, I thought the taller the cat tree was, the more prestigious it was.
As a result, when my cat jumped onto it for the first time, the entire cat tree shook as if it were participating in a full-blown California earthquake drill.
I immediately realized a fact:
High doesn’t equal safe — being up there just makes accidents worse.
Later I learned that:
The height needs to be evaluated along with the base, the fixing components, and the material.
For instance, I particularly like the following several stable designs:
- Strengthened base (not the kind of "fluffy design" that looks good in photos)
- Coarse rope post (The thicker, the more stable)
- Can be fixed on the wall (especially suitable for multi-cat households)
- The shelves shouldn’t be made of flimsy materials that could break if a cat so much as brushed against them.
Some of the new models of cat trees from Mewzoom have done a good job with their bases.
There are several rattan basket styles, which look lightweight, but the bases are very professionally stable—I really like this contrast.
3.Lesson 3: First ask the cat, then ask yourself
Every cat I know has its own unique "house preference."
Don't laugh. I'm serious.
If your cat is of the "ninjutsu-jumping" type
Then it requires:
- Multi-level platform
- Buffer landing point
- High-level rest platform
If your cat is of the "observatory type"
Then you need to:
- Choose the one with a high platform
- Placed near the window
- The platform is slightly higher than the backrest of the sofa
If your cat is a "relaxed sleeping type"
Then:
- With a cat bed and a rattan basket
- Soft fabric
- Semi-enclosed space
If your cat is the "senior version of retirement"
Then you definitely shouldn't buy it with a 70-inch model.
It might get tired just by looking at it.
4.Lesson 4: Don't Be Fooled by the "Cute Little Furry Toys"
The biggest mistake I've ever made was buying a cat tree that looked very gentle and felt very soft, but turned out to be as weak as non-existent in terms of strength.
The cat scratching post is not a cushion.
The cat scratching post must be hard, have resistance, and be able to help the cat relieve stress.
If your cat is a "professional scratching expert," then you should pay particular attention to:
- Thickness of the rope (the thicker, the more durable)
- Column diameter (the thicker, the more stable)
- Replaceable post section (save money and be practical)
Some of the scratch post designs by Mewzoom are very practical—
thick, long, stable, and it's obvious just by looking at them that they can withstand a cat's claws.
5.Lesson 5: After getting a cat, I realized that "utility is more important than appearance."
I thought a cat tree wasn't just a piece of furniture? Wrong.
The cat tree is more like your cat's "therapy room + gym + single-person apartment."
Later, I developed a set of my own selection criteria:
✔ Focus on stability
✔ Check if the height fits your cat’s personality
✔ Material friendly to paws
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Matches the home
6.Where exactly should the cat tree be placed? (90% of people place it in the wrong location)
Do you know what cats hate the most?
A lonely corner.
The best position for the cat tree:
✔ By the window
✔ Beside the sofa
✔ Against the bedroom wall
Never put it in:
✘ Behind the door
✘ Hidden corner
✘ Under direct AC wind
7.To be honest, the mistakes I've made are more numerous than the salt I've consumed.
I have done these stupid things before. Don’t be like me — seriously.
"It seemed quite stable" but was knocked over by the cat.
The height was chosen too high, but the cat at home is a short-legged little dude.
Ignored the load-bearing capacity.
The cleaning difficulty was not taken into account (I genuinely thought my life was falling apart).
Bought a model that looked impressive but didn't suit the cat's temperament.
But after making many mistakes, I also figured out the truth:
A cat tree is not bought for its appearance, but for its functionality; not for its low price, but for its safety.
Conclusion: Choosing a cat tree is a kind of "spiritual practice"
Sometimes I think the cat tree is like a mirror.
It can reflect the temperament of your cat, as well as your lifestyle.
You made the right choice.
The cat will love it so much that it will stretch itself, bask in the sun, and climb the pillar like it's hitting the gym.
If you made the wrong choice, it will tell you with its triple-layered indifference:
"What? I don't live here."
If you are about to choose a new cat tree, cat post or scratch post from mewzoom's new arrivals section,
we hope that the following experiences from "humans who have been dominated by cats for many years" can significantly reduce your chances of making a wrong choice.