Stop Buying the Wrong Cat Tree: The Only Guide You Need to Keep Your Cat Happy (and Save Your Furniture)
choosing my cat tree ended up being more painstaking — and pricier — than renovating my whole apartment.
If you have a cat at home too, you probably understand my feelings:
——You think you're the "owner," but honestly you're more like the landlord, and your cat is the picky tenant calling all the shots.
The first time I realized the significance of the cat tree was one day when I came home and saw that my sofa—or rather, what used to be my sofa—had been transformed by the cat into a personal gym, a climbing wall and an emotional venting area. That night, running my hand over the jagged claw marks, I accepted the truth: buy a cat tree or resign myself to a new "abstract" sofa. I picked the cat tree — my tolerance for Picasso-style furniture had already hit its limit.
This is the collection of lessons I paid for (mostly with time and money): from a cheap plush starter tree to wooden minimalist builds, up to the Mewzoom-style tower I have now. It’s everything I learned the hard way — trial, error, and a few ruined cushions. I'll tell you: what to buy, what to regret, how to arrange it, how to guide the cat to use it, and how to determine if a cat tree is the future "throne" for your cat.
This cat tree, if well purchased, becomes a cat's castle; but if poorly purchased, it becomes a huge obstacle in your living room.
Why do cats actually need cat trees? Spoiler: it’s not just decoration.
I once naively thought: "The ground is so vast, surely there will be enough cats?" Pretty quickly I ran into an unpleasant fact: Cats aren’t flat animals. They’re vertical animals — to them, up is better than across. They are naturally inclined to climb to higher places. The higher they stand, the safer they feel and the more control they have over the entire house. Giving them enough vertical territory fixes a surprising number of issues — less anxiety, fewer scuffles, and fewer middle-of-the-night sprints.
Another inconvenient truth: If you don't give it a place to latch onto, it will latch onto whatever you don't want it to touch. (Here, please give my sofa a three-second silent tribute.)
The cat tree can make the cat feel more at ease and more confident, and it can also prevent your home from turning into a battlefield. I only understood later: The cat tree is not a luxury item; it is a stress-relief tool + a furniture safety protector.
After numerous failures, I came up with a fundamental rule for choosing a cat tree:
After plenty of failed purchases I boiled it down to one rule: if it feels wobbly, walk away from it.
Unstable = Do not purchase. You wouldn't want to see a 6-kilogram cat crashing a whole tree to the ground from a two-meter-tall tower. Trust me — you don’t want a six-kilo cat bringing a two-meter tower down with a single leap. I've seen it. The crash was horrific; my cat hid for two days and eyed me like I’d returned as an alien.
So, what exactly does it mean to be "stable"? I have summarized seven points, each of which was earned through hard work and sacrifice.
After years of trial and error, I have identified the following 7 key points for making a purchase (this part is worth taking a screenshot and saving):
1. Stability always comes first.
The base should be large and heavy. It should not shake, not wobble, not float. Just give it a gentle push and it should not stand firm like a post in the wind? Don't buy it.
2. Pay close attention to the cat's temperament and avoid blindly pursuing high status.
Kitten: More platforms, shorter distance.
A strong, energetic cat: The height can be maximized, but it must be stable. My big cat loves the position on the top floor, which is for observing humans' foolish behaviors.
3. The material of the anchor column determines its usage frequency.
My observations can be summarized as follows:
Sisal rope: Most cats love it. Durable and not easy to break.
Carpet fabric: Prone to shedding fibers and difficult to clean
Cardboard: Cheap, soulmate-level grip, short lifespan
If your cat is a “severe claw-marring type,” definitely choose the nylon rope.
4. Platform size = the key factor determining whether the cat sleeps or not
Cats won’t sleep if the space is too small, too soft, or too shaky.
The platform should be slightly larger than the cat’s stretching size — my big cat sleeps like a flopped-out walrus.
If the platform isn't big enough, it will simply ignore it.
5. Whether the material is easy to clean is crucial for long-term use.
Is the cover washable?
Does the surface avoid loose hairs?
Can a cat-hair vacuum handle it?
When you bought it, you didn't pay attention to it. But during the first shedding season, you’ll be begging for answers.
6. Is the style suitable for your home?
To be honest, many cat trees look as ugly as those weird 2008 hotel carpets. I prefer this modern style with wood and clean lines (Mewzoom follows this approach). Placed in the living room, it won't make people think I'm running a pet playground.
7. Is the installation process difficult?
Some cat trees are assembled in a way that resembles the IKEA "hell" style. Whether it can be easily and stably assembled really affects whether you will want to return it.
My rules for arranging the cat tree (non-negotiable rules, not suggestions)
My cat has a peculiar little habit: It likes to cause chaos up and down in my work area. Later I discovered that if I place the cat tree in a spot where the cat can see you but doesn't interfere with your activities, the overall harmony of the room will skyrocket.
✔ Place it by the window. Cats can see birds, cars and things that don't exist in the air. The entertainment value is high.
✔ Stay away from the noise. Next to the TV? No. The entrance corridor? No. Cats prefer a sense of security and dislike busy thoroughfares.
✔ Provide "upward paths" for cats. They don't like big jumps. They prefer a “staircase” formed by the window sill or the sofa.
✔ A family with multiple cats = Multiple paths. Cats hate traffic jams the most. Multiple entrances and exits = less fighting.
How to really make the cat use it? (Key point: Don't lift it up and force it!)
The first time I bought a cat tree, I lifted the cat onto it. She gave me a look, as if saying: "You're committing a crime." Then she was completely indifferent to the cat tree for a full three weeks.
Later, I finally figured out the correct way:
Put its familiar scent on the lowest platform.
Blanket, old clothes, little den.
"Smells like my territory" = more willing to approach.
Put in a few snacks.
My cat would rush up to the 30th level for a snack.
Use toys to guide them.
The feather wand is the WiFi of the feline world. As long as it connects, you can take the cat anywhere.
Give big praise the moment they climb on.
Don’t make it seem like “strange and dangerous new furniture.”
Make it feel like “the new throne.”
I have used all three types of cat trees. Here is my summary:
● The modern wooden model (my personal favorite)
Attractive, stable, durable, and not prone to getting dirty. The style blends with interiors. The Mewzoom series follows this approach.
Suitable for: Those who want aesthetics and less hair cleanup.
● Fur blanket (first generation standard model)
Cheap and soft
But during shedding season... you’ll cry.
Suitable for: Small budgets + cats not obsessed with ropes.
● Minimalist column + wall-mounted setup
The savior of small apartments
The visual lightness is a bit weak.
Suitable for: Families with limited space or those building “vertical paths.”
10 safety alerts I wish I knew sooner
1.The tower must be securely fixed to the wall.
2.Check screws every three months.
3.If the anchor screw loosens, replace it immediately.
4.If the platform edges have loose threads, don’t let the cat eat them.
5.Do not place heavy ornaments where the cat can reach.
6.Older cats need lower levels and ramps.
7.Avoid boards or adhesives with strong odors.
8.When strangers visit, ensure the cat has a “sheltering spot.”
9.Don’t use the cat tree as a drying rack.
10.Children must not climb the cat tree — it’s dangerous.
Finally, I’d like to say something sincere:
The significance of the cat tree is not just for the cats to play on. It makes the cat feel: “This room has a place just for me.” When a cat truly regards a place as its own territory, it becomes more relaxed, quieter, more affectionate, and more willing to approach you.
My cat now sits on the highest platform of the cat tree every morning, watching me turn on the computer, drink my first cup of coffee, and pretend to work hard. That scene is soothing — like a fluffy little companion quietly participating in your life.
If you are looking for a cat tree — wooden, modern, minimalist, or a sleek Mewzoom series — remember this:
Choosing a cat tree is actually about shaping the lifestyle you and your cat will have in the future.