What Does a “Lovely” Cat Tree Really Mean? Understanding Cats’ Vertical Space Needs
What does a "lovely" cat tree mean in the world of cats?
The first time I seriously studied the cat tree was in the year when the second cat moved into our home.
At that time, I realized that what cats truly needed was not more toys, but a "three-dimensional space" of their own.
A place where they could climb, hide, look down, scratch, and sleep peacefully.
Many people search for "cat tree cute", seemingly looking for a "beautiful cat furniture", but in my opinion, behind this keyword actually lie three more fundamental questions:
- Is the cat at home a little bored?
- Does it have a truly safe and stable independent space?
- Is my home truly evolving from a "space for human habitation" into a "space where humans and cats coexist"?
This is also the reason why I later delved deeper into the design of log-style cat houses, especially those like the 33-inch log structure cat house.
Cats are not "using the cat tree", but rather "utilizing spatial logic".
If you observe cats carefully, you will find that their understanding of space is completely different from ours.
Cats are vertical space animals.
They are naturally accustomed to obtaining a sense of security, control and emotional stability through height.
This is why:
- The cat likes to jump onto the wardrobe.
- They like to stand at a high place and observe.
- They like to retreat into semi-secluded small spaces
- They like to repeatedly scratch the same pillar
A well-structured cat tree essentially mimics the tree trunks, branches and caves found in nature.
To take the type of log-style cat tree houses that I later came across as an example, they usually have several crucial design features:
1.The raw wooden columns are not for decoration; rather, they serve as the fulcrum for the action.
The natural wood grain and weight of this product will give cats a more "realistic" feeling when they climb.
Compared to the lightweight composite boards, cats trust this stable structure more.
2.The position of the scratching post determines whether the cat "likes to use" it.
Many cat trees merely "appear" to have climbing posts, but their height and angle do not match the natural movement of a cat stretching its body.
The truly useful climbing posts are those that cats will actively use to climb every day, rather than just scratching them symbolically a couple of times.
3.Large-sized cat bed, especially important for adult cats
I have seen too many cat trees. They look cute from the outside, but the cats simply can't fit inside.
Adult cats need enough space where they can fully curl up, turn over, and not be compressed.
Behind the term "lovely" lies respect for the cat's psychology.
To be honest, I used to think that fluffy puff balls like these were just for decoration.
It wasn't until I noticed that my rather timid cat would frantically paw at that ball of fur when it was nervous.
Later I came to understand:
That was its outlet for expressing emotions.
Cats, unlike dogs, do not directly express stress to humans.
Instead, they rely more on "objects" to release energy and soothe their emotions.
A well-designed cat tree usually fulfills several functions at the same time:
- Exercise equipment
- Safety Base
- Emotional buffer zone
- Observation point
- Sleeping Space
When these functions are integrated into a sturdy and environmentally friendly cat tree, the behavior of the cats will change significantly.
Why did I start to prefer the wooden structure cat tree?
This has nothing to do with words like "advanced" or "natural", but is purely derived from long-term observation.
✔ More stable, cats are more willing to jump
The wooden base is usually heavier, so the cat won't hesitate when it is at a higher position.
✔ Not easily overlooked
Many cat trees are bought home, but once the cat smells them, it ignores them.
However, the wooden scent is closer to the natural environment for the cat.
✔ More suitable for multi-cat households
Multi-layered structure + independent spaces can effectively reduce resource conflicts among cats.
Later, I noticed that for brands like mewzoom, when designing the wooden cat tree, they tend to prioritize the "cat's usage habits" over the visual aspect.
You won't see exaggerated designs, but you will see very realistic dimensions, widths, and proportions.
This design concept in itself has won my favor.
The cat tree is not bought for the cat, but for "the future daily life".
Many people have asked me:
"Is it worth buying a cat tree?"
My response is usually:
This is not a one-time expense, but an investment in the daily situation for the next few years.
When cats have a stable vertical space, you will notice:
- The frequency of sofa being grabbed has decreased.
- Cats prefer to be alone rather than feel anxious.
- Nighttime parkour activities have decreased.
- The sleep quality of cats is better.
These changes won't be written in the manual, but they will truly occur in real life.
Final note: What is truly "lovely" is a cat that is understood.
I have always believed that when the word "cute" is used for a cat tree, it should not merely refer to the appearance.
What is truly adorable is -
The peaceful sleeping posture of the cat on it
The very same pillar that it goes to scratch every day
The gaze of it looking at you calmly from a height
When a cat tree becomes an integral part of a cat's life rather than just an ornament, its very existence is already of sufficient value.
If you are also looking for a truly "suitable" space for your cat, you might consider focusing more on the structure, materials, and the cat's behavioral habits rather than just relying on the pictures.
The cat will tell you the answer in its own way.