The Cat Tree Tower My Cats Actually Use Every Day
Living with cats over the years has truly helped me understand the meaning of a "cat tree tower."
Before becoming a full-time mother, I considered myself a "pro cat parent." Now that there are children and cats at home, life is lively, but the reality is a daily search for balance.
Many people ask me, since the living space is not large, why must a cat tree tower be placed there?
My answer has always been very simple: It's not to take up space, but to allow the cat to truly "settle down".
Over the years, I have replaced more than one cat climbing frame and stepped into many pitfalls. It wasn't until later that I realized that a cat tree tower is never just a "random purchase" for a cat, but rather a choice for a long-term companion for the cat's lifestyle.
What cats need is not toys, but a "vertical world".
When I first got my first cat, I, like many beginners, thought that what the cat needed were balls, cat toys and snacks.
But what truly changed my perception was when my orange cat climbed up to a high place for the first time, looking around the entire living room with a gaze that was almost like "patrol of territory".
At that moment, I understood:
The cats' need for height is innate.
A suitable cat tree tower essentially recreates a "vertical world" for cats in the indoor environment:
- It can be climbed upwards instead of just moving on the ground.
- Can look down upon the environment and gain a sense of security
- One can choose to rest, observe or be alone at different heights.
When cats have their own elevated space, their anxiety and destructive behaviors on the ground tend to significantly decrease.
Why did I start seriously studying the cat tree tower?
It was only after the arrival of my second cat that I really began to conduct a systematic study of the cat tree tower.
Two cats, with completely different personalities:
One enjoys being in a lively environment, while the other prefers caution; one loves climbing high, while the other likes to hide.
If the design of the cat tree tower is not reasonable, the result is usually just one thing:
- The cats won't use it, and people even complain that it takes up too much space.
- So I began to focus on several key issues:
- Is the structure stable and can it withstand the repeated jumping of adult cats?
- Whether the hierarchy is reasonable, rather than "looking tall"
- Is the material safe and easy to clean?
Whether it truly conforms to the behavioral habits of cats rather than being influenced by human aesthetics
It was during this process that I for the first time carefully browsed the "cat tree tower" series on Mewzoom. I approached this more with a "research" mindset than with the impulse to buy.
A good cat tree tower should meet these 5 core requirements
Over the years, I have come to realize that the cat tree towers that cats actually use for a long time usually have the following characteristics.
1.Stability always comes first.
When a cat jumps, it is much more sensitive to the sense of stability than humans.
Even a slight movement will cause the cat to mentally block out that area.
I will pay special attention to the design of the base, the thickness of the columns, and the overall distribution of the center of gravity.
2.The height should offer true "layering," not just "stacking."
Many cat tree towers seem very tall, but the distance between each layer is not reasonable, and thus they are not suitable for cats to climb continuously.
The ideal situation is:
Each floor can become an independent space for use.
The jumping distance is in line with the natural movement range of cats.
The directions are clear up and down, and there is no need to "force a jump".
3.The scratching area must be truly usable.
Scratching is not a "bad habit" of cats; it is a dual need for both the body and the emotions.
A good cat tree tower will integrate the scratching posts into the structure rather than attaching them haphazardly.
I usually observe:
Is the scratching post tall enough?
Is the rope material tight and durable?
Can it withstand long-term use?
4.The rest area should have a "sense of enclosure"
When a cat is resting, what it seeks is not softness but safety.
The semi-sealed platform and the slightly elevated lying position would be more suitable for cats to use for a long time.
This was a detail that I only realized later.
5.The appearance is for people to see, but it cannot be ignored.
I admit that as part of an American household, I also care about the overall atmosphere of the home.
But now I understand even better:
A truly excellent cat tree tower is one that makes people "get used to its presence", rather than constantly paying attention to it.
The long-term effects of cat tree towers on cat behavior
After using the appropriate cat tree tower, I clearly observed several changes:
- The conflicts between cats have decreased.
- The frequency of nighttime sprints (or 'zoomies') has decreased.
- Cats prefer to rest in a fixed area.
- The time spent observing the outside window has increased, and the mood has become more stable.
These changes did not occur overnight; rather, they were the result of gradual accumulation over time.
Multi-cat households require more spacious areas.
If you, like me, have a multi-cat household, then a cat tree tower is almost a "must-have".
It doesn't address the issue of entertainment; rather, it deals with the problem of territory allocation.
At different heights and on different platforms, this naturally creates a certain order, reducing the possibility of direct conflicts.
A bit of honest words from me, as an ordinary American household user
Over the years, I have come to view the cat tree tower not as "pet supplies", but rather as an essential element of our shared living environment.
Cats do not express satisfaction through words, but they choose by their actions.
When a cat climbs to the top floor at a fixed time every day and settles down to sleep there peacefully, you will understand:
This choice is not wrong.
Final Note
If you are considering whether you need a cat tree tower, I would like to say something heartfelt:
Don't just ask "Is it worth it?", but rather ask "Does the cat really need it?".
When you start to view space, height and security from the perspective of a cat, you will find that the answer is actually right there.
Over the years, my life has slowed down because of the cats, and because of these seemingly insignificant choices, it has become more stable and orderly.
And this, perhaps, is the reason why I am willing to repeatedly study and ponder over the "cat tree tower".