The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Cat Tower with Scratching Post | Real Cat Owner Insights
The cat in my family is named "Sandwich".
Don't ask why. I was hungry at that time. But it didn't care at all about its name.
It only cared about whether there were new places to climb, whether there were better pillars to grip onto, and whether there was a chance to wake me up by flicking my tail at three o'clock in the morning.
If your home also has a member of the "early-morning patrol team", you should understand what I'm saying.
That's why, over the years, I've developed a vague mix of love and stubbornness for cat towers with scratching posts with scratching posts. Every time I see a new one, I can't help but take a closer look, as if evaluating a potential peace treaty: "Will you please spare my sofa this time?"
So after repeatedly running into problems, returning items, making modifications, and even re-tying the rope countless times, I finally figured out criteria that could truly satisfy both cats and people. Occasionally I check the Mewzoom website, which specializes in cat products, to see if there are any new arrivals. Because their clean, North-American minimalist cat towers with scratching posts usually don't clash with my furniture — but that's just my personal preference. I don't make any recommendations or promotions. You know what I mean.
Now I will lay out all the pitfalls I have encountered and the key insights I have gained over the years.
If it can help you and your cat avoid family conflicts, then I would consider it a great achievement.
Why am I willing to spend money on a good cat tower with scratching post?
Because I have a sofa at home and my sofa and I get along well, but the relationship with "Sandwich" has always been tense.
Cats scratch things not because they are mean, but because that's what is encoded in their DNA: sharpening claws, stretching, relieving stress, and marking territory.
The scratching posts on the cat tower with scratching post are like a transfer mechanism, moving all these behaviors away from your furniture.
To put it simply:
You're not buying the cat tower with scratching post — you're buying extra years of life for your sofa.
Additionally, the upper area is a soothing space for the cats. The cats lie on the elevated platform and overlook the living room, as if saying, "The entire territory is under my control."
This sense of security cannot be replaced by just two little toys.
The five things I care about most (a summary of mistakes I've made)
1. Stability comes first — non-negotiable.
I've seen too many cat towers with scratching posts that look decent, but when a cat jumps onto them, it's like knocking over a stack of building blocks.
The expression on my "Sandwich" cat's face when it first encountered this kind of tower, I still remember to this day —
It looked at me with that "Are you making me climb this thing? How big of a heart do you have?" kind of look.
So if you choose a cat tower with scratching post, you must:
Choose the ones with a larger base and thicker legs.
The multi-layer structure should have an enhanced framework.
The tower should either be reinforced with walls or have a sufficiently heavy base.
As long as it's stable, the cat will love it more than you do.
2. The material of the support column is absolutely crucial (it's the single most important aspect).
I tried paper rope, fabric columns, velvet... but none of those appealed to Sandwich.
Then I bought a column wrapped with sisal rope. Suddenly, Sandwich latched on to it as if they'd found their true love.
The reason is simple:
The resistance, fiber density, and texture of sisal rope are closest to the "tree-bark" feel that cats prefer to scratch.
This is also one of the configurations I often see on the Mewzoom site. It's a pretty reliable standard.
3. Tiered structure and platform layout should not go against a cat's nature.
Some cat towers with scratching posts look very beautiful, but their structures were completely designed randomly by the designers.
Either they can't be climbed, or once you climb up, the entire tower starts shaking.
My old rule is:
Kitten: Number of levels doesn't matter as long as the platform spacing is a bit wider.
Senior cat: Steps should be narrower and the slope should be gentle.
Large/overweight cat: Platforms must be wide, otherwise they'll push the cushion right off.
If you live in a multi-cat household, be sure to have multiple feeding stations and multiple access points to prevent "climbing battles" up high.
4. The key point is the pad must be washable.
I have no idea who invented the "sticky, cat-friendly, and non-washable felt pad" in this world.
That thing is truly a hair-sucking wonder. It's adorable to look at for a day, just so-so for a week, and then it turns into a biological experiment after a month.
So my current rule:
Anything that can't be machine-washed, I won't buy.
5. Footprint and Style (The cat tower with scratching post's look matters, too)
I'm not the kind of person who would transform the entire house into a cat paradise just for the cats.
How attractive the cat tower with scratching post is also matters a lot to me.
Solid wood, modern North American style, clean-lined tower — the furniture in my home generally suits me;
The fluffy freak style — my taste just doesn't match theirs at all.
Some of the wooden models in the Mewzoom series are well-made and don't make the home look like a pet store.
How to choose for different household situations? (Real experience)
Single cat, small space
The narrow and tall type, with a heavy base and uneven platform spacing.
Multicat households
Multiple platforms, multiple outlets, multiple contenders.
Make sure the cats feel there is sufficient resources; otherwise, you will witness one "high-ranking throne competition" after another.
Large/overweight cat
Make sure you understand the terms "load-bearing" and "platform size".
Otherwise, the tower will soon turn into "useless tall grass beside the furniture".
Senior cat
Don't make it too tall or too steep.
Comfort for the cat is more important than its appearance.
Installation and placement: a key point often overlooked by 90% of owners
Place it where the cat usually hangs out
Don't place the cat tower with scratching post where you think it will be suitable.
Instead, place it where cats tend to stay.
The cat's choice is always more accurate than your intuition.
The windowsill is always the best spot.
Being able to bask in the sun, watching birds, and seeing the neighbor's dog go to the bathroom — for a cat, this is like having Netflix and a massage chair all in one.
Entice with toys and catnip
Sometimes I would tie the toys to the bottom of the climbing pole. The moment the cat jumped towards it, that was the first step for it to fall in love with the climbing pole.
Never force. When the cat tower with scratching post is set up, what if the cat won't get on?
Don't worry.
The cat needs to get familiar with the smell, the environment, and the route.
What it wants is a sense of security, not instructions.
Long-term maintenance (simple, but crucial)
Check and tighten the screws every week.
If the column is badly worn, replace it immediately. Don't wait until it falls apart.
If the cushion can be washed, then wash it.
The base foot pads should be replaced in time if they become worn out.
These small actions will help the cat tower with scratching post outlast your home Wi-Fi.
Finally
Over the years, the money I spent on Cat Tower with scratching post could actually buy a bicycle.
But every time I see Sandwich dozing off, snoring, flicking their tail, and acting like royalty on the top platform...
I always felt that these funds were worth more than buying a steak at a restaurant.
Choosing a cat tower with scratching post, in simple terms, is picking a place your cat will accept as their "second home".
As for the aspects like style, material and height, follow the principles I mentioned above. You'll probably be able to find something suitable for your home.