How To Buy A Cat Tree

Before I began my zero waste journey, I used to buy cat gear like Christmas came everyday for cats … which is why I ended up with seven cat trees in an one-bedroom apartment.

I’ve since learned that sourcing well-made, durable cat gear is not only good for the wallet but also vital for the environment. I’ve also learned that not all cat trees are made equal. To help you avoid the chemical-laden and the wobbly, I’d like to share with you, friend, some do’s and don’ts of buying cat trees. Here we go!

What to avoid:

• Cat trees covered in shag or “faux fur” carpet, ex. this one from Go Pet Club. Though an overwhelming percentage of cat trees sold in the US fall into this category, this type of carpet contains numerous toxins. In fact, noxious chemicals is a pervasive problem with carpets sold in the US (see this Center for Environmental Health report "New Report Finds Toxic Substances in Every Major US Carpet Tested" on human grade carpeting. Regulations are even less strict for animal grade carpeting.)

• Mounted trees. There are three categories of cat trees, structurally speaking: (1) Free-standing, (2) wall-mounted, and (3) floor-and-ceiling-mounted. Free-standing trees are least likely to have structural issues, while floor-and-ceiling mounted ones are most prone to collapsing. Wall-mounted is a mix bag. This Fukumaru one, for example, had such weak joinery that I could see the tree pull apart immediately after install. On the other hand, this PetFusion one was so sturdy I could sit on it (but it is also ridiculously tall and does not have enough steps for a safe descent. It is excellent training equipment for cats with ambitions to be coconut pickers, though ;) If you like the lower profile of wall-mounted catification, consider installing shelves in a staircase pattern with some locally sourced wood and L-brackets - it’s also much cheaper than pre-fab cat trees!

• Exposed sharp materials. Most manufacturers use staples to affix sisal rope around the scratching poles. Some, unfortunately, are less detail-oriented and leave sharp ends of staples exposed. If you are shopping online, scan for reviews noting any exposed or sharp materials. After assembling the tree, run your hand over all surfaces to verify there are no sharp points.

What to look for:

• Optimal height - Keep the life stage and mobility status of your cats in mind when buying cat furniture. Cat trees between 50 - 75" tall tend to be safe for kittens and stay engaging as they grow into adulthood. Trees taller than this present safety challenges because (1) your kitty might leap and injure themselves, and (2) you might not be able to be able to reach them during an emergency. On the other hand, cat trees shorter than 50” are likely to be ignored, especially by grown cats. After all, a throne from which to lord above you is what most cats are after ;)

• Fortified support, esp. for top level planks - Most trees start with 3-4 legs to create a strong foundation, but many trees have only a single pole supporting the top plank. Sooner or later, you will have a Leaning Tower of Pisa, potentially with a stubborn cat perched on top of it. Not the most secure situation. Look for cat trees that have two or more poles supporting each level, or at least a centered support pole.

• Cat accessible - Cat trees are essentially lounge-friendly staircases. So, the distance between levels should be no more than 7-10 inches apart (safe for ascent and descent for most cats), and the planks should be large enough for lounging (at least 12 inches long and 8 inches wide). Ideally, your cat should be able to chose between at least two steps or paths for every level. This is especially important if you have two or more cats. Note, the levels don’t actually need to be spaced the same at every level. In fact, I recently learned from a catio expert that differently spaced shelves adds to the mental enrichment.

• Rounded corners - Cats’ favorite spot for their heighted thrones is near the human activity centers of the house. To avoid bruises and cuts for everyone, look for cat trees with rounded or protected corners. Alternatively, you can always use a laminate trimmer to round the corners or install corner protectors.

• Meaningful components - What engages each cat is going to be different — sisal rope, hammock, hideaway box, oh my! — but there are some designs that have components that few self-respecting feline will pay attention to, like stuffed animal above a tunnel. These are just clutter and sometimes compromise the structural integrity of the tree.

• Removable and washable soft padding - Since cats like to rub their jujus and spread their litter generously, having soft padding that is amenable to cleaning is a nice to have.

Do you have a favorite cat tree? Better yet, have you built your own cat tree masterpiece? Do tell!