Why Every Cat Needs a Cat Tree with a Hammock: Insights from a Cat Owner
I originally thought all cat trees were the same, until my cat taught me a lesson.
To be honest, my previous attitude towards buying a cat tree was very casual.
I would open the webpage, sort items by price, look at a few pictures, and think: "Well, it looks quite sturdy. The cat should be able to use it, right?"
And as you might have guessed —
The cat completely ignored it.
That cat tree was placed in the most prominent position of the living room, and the place where my cat liked to rest the most every day was:
- Sofa backrest
- Window sill
- And the clean clothes I just folded
At that moment, I finally realized a fact:
It wasn't the cat that was picky; it was me who simply didn't understand the cat.
Later, I realized that the cat tree with a hammock is the true "must-have for cats."
The turning point came on a very ordinary afternoon.
My friend came over to visit and glanced at my cat, saying something that was later proven to be true time and again:
"Your cat clearly prefers places that can cover its body."
This statement may seem casual, but it really made me wake up and think.
Cats are not dogs. They don't like "lying flat exposed," but prefer to be wrapped up, slightly elevated, yet safe.
And this is precisely the purpose of hammocks.
Later, I replaced it with a cat tree with a hammock. Things changed dramatically —
When the cat used it for the first time, it slept directly in the hammock for four hours.
Four hours.
No turning over, no alertness, no running away halfway.
At that moment, I knew: I had made the right choice this time.
Why do cats get so addicted to hammocks? The reason is actually quite simple.
If you observe long enough, you will find that the logic behind a cat's choice of resting spots is very "cat-like."
First, it fits their body.
The hammock is not a hard board. It will sink a little bit with the weight of the cat.
This sense of fit makes the cat feel "being held" rather than "lying on a flat surface."
Secondly, it wobbles a little.
It's not the kind of shaking that makes you dizzy. Instead, it's a gentle and controllable movement.
Many cats will relax even more quickly due to this sensation, and they can fall asleep in seconds.
Thirdly, its position is just right.
Most well-designed hammocks are placed at mid-level.
Not touching the ground nor reaching the ceiling, they are both safe and offer good views.
To put it simply, this is what cats consider as their "golden seat."
Is it really necessary to have a taller cat tree?
I used to think that "height is just a gimmick."
Later, I realized that the problem lies not in whether it is "high" or not, but in whether it is "high enough" or not.
For instance, a cat tree about 70 inches tall is very friendly for indoor cats:
- It can satisfy their instinct to climb high.
- It won't be such that you start worrying about hearing a "thud" sound one day.
The current daily routine of my cat is as follows:
From the hammock → The top floor platform → By the window → Back to the hammock
It repeats this cycle over and over again, and it's not boring at all.
Modern wooden cat tree: More important than you might think
I used to pay no attention to the material at all; I only cared about whether it "looked like many layers."
Until one night, I was awakened by a "squeak" at midnight.
It was the old cat tree that was shaking.
At that moment, I finally understood how much the structural stability affects the cats' sense of security.
Later, when you come across some modern wooden cat trees (such as those designed by brands like Mewzoom), you will clearly notice the difference:
- Don't shake.
- Not ringing.
Cats can feel safe to use it.
Cats are more averse to "uncertainty" than we are.
Once it feels unstable, it will simply give up.
Grab the pillars, the platform, and the hammocks. Not more is better.
This is another pit I fell into.
I used to think: The more functions, the better.
The result showed that:
The cat only used two or three spots, and the rest were just for decoration.
A truly useful cat tree with a hammock is usually very restrained:
- The guard post is located on the main route.
- The hammock is placed at the "most comfortable height."
- The platform is just the right size to allow a full turn.
Not fancy, but practical.
After using it for a while, you will understand what "stress-free" means.
A good cat tree has one thing in common:
- You will forget its existence.
- Will not collapse.
- Will not tilt.
- Will not need frequent repairs.
The cat uses it every day, but you don't have to worry about it.
The cat tree I have now has been in use for over a year, but the cat still goes to the hammock to log its activities every day.
This feeling of being "continually chosen" is more genuine than any evaluation.
A heartfelt message for those who are still struggling.
If you are currently viewing the cat tree, don't rush to place an order.
First, take a look at your cat:
- Does it like to sleep curled up?
- Is it fond of the window?
- Will it be particularly alert to unstable things?
When you start to view things from the perspective of a cat,
you will find that the cat tree with a hammock is not just a gimmick, but a very simple and cat-oriented design.
Whenever I choose any cat-related products now, I always go through this thought in my mind first:
Will cats really use this thing?
If the answer is yes,
then it is almost certain to be correct.