Cat trees do one thing your furniture does not: give the cat height it is allowed to have. A cat that has a tree stops climbing the bookcase. That is the whole sales pitch, and it is true.
This is the hub for cat trees on Pet Approves. Types first, then sizing, then the deeper guides for big cats and multi-cat homes.
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The types of cat trees
| Type | Height | Best for | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy duty tower | 60 to 80 in | Cats over 15 lbs | Large cats |
| Multi-perch tower | 65 to 80 in | Two or more cats | Multiple cats |
| Compact tree | 35 to 45 in | Apartments, kittens, seniors | Below |
| Wall shelves | Any | No floor space | Below |
| Window perch | Sill height | One cat, one window | Below |
| Scratching post | 30 to 35 in | Every cat, next to the sofa | Below |
Cat trees for large cats
A 20-pound cat needs a tree with a printed weight rating, a wide base, and perches around 18 inches. The Globlazer S72 and the Gitelsnour Maine Coon tree are the two rated 20 pounds and up. The full cat trees for large cats guide covers ten, with a sizes table and the tall, real-tree, wooden, and budget picks.
Cat trees for multiple cats
Two rules: two top perches, two caves. The Globlazer F80 has three top perches. The Feandrea 81-inch is rated for six cats. The short cat trees for multiple cats guide has five picks and the how-many-cats-per-tree rule.
Cat trees for small spaces, kittens, and seniors
A 43-inch tree like the Heybly tower fits an apartment corner and a kitten’s legs. Feandrea makes a 65-inch mid-size with a cave for the step up. Seniors want the same thing kittens do: short jumps and a low cave.
Feandrea’s 65-inch is the middle of the road: tall enough to matter, small enough for a bedroom, with a cave and a perch. It is the tree to buy when you are not sure which tree to buy.
Wall shelves and window perches
No floor space? Put the tree on the wall. Homiflex’s nine-piece wood set and the Catails farmhouse shelves make a staircase up the wall, and FUKUMARU’s four-piece set is the starter. Anchor into studs, not drywall. A cat landing on a shelf is a small hammer blow.
A window perch is the cheapest cat tree there is. Zakkart’s foldable perch clamps to the sill, and AMOSIJOY’s metal-frame perch mounts without cords. One cat, one window, done.
Scratching posts
A post is not a tree but it is the part of the tree the cat uses most. Tall enough for a full stretch, 30 inches or more, sisal wrapped, and heavy enough not to tip. PAWSCRAT’s 32-inch post and the Amazon Basics post both clear that bar. Put it next to whatever the cat is scratching now.
How to pick a cat tree
- Weigh the cat. Over 15 pounds, go to the large cats guide and buy a rated tree.
- Count the cats. More than one, count perches.
- Measure the spot. Base width and ceiling height. Most tall trees are 24 to 30 inches square at the base.
- Sisal posts, not carpet posts. Carpet posts teach the cat to scratch carpet.
- Anti-tip strap. Ships with the good ones. Use it.
- By a window. A tree in a dark corner is a coat rack.
Bonus tip: a cat ignoring a new tree wants catnip on the top perch and the old scratching spot blocked for a week.
Outdoor cats get their perch outside. The outdoor cat house guide and the heated outdoor cat house guide cover the shelters.
Frequently asked questions
Are cat trees worth it?
If the cat is on your furniture, yes. A tree gives the height and the scratching surface the cat is taking from you.
How tall should a cat tree be?
Tall enough that the top perch is the highest spot in the room the cat is allowed on. Sixty inches does it in most rooms. Big cats care more about the gap between levels than the total.
What is the best cat tree for a large cat?
One with a printed rating of 20 pounds or more and a base over 24 inches wide. The large cats guide lists them.
Where should I put a cat tree?
By a window, in the room you use most. Cats want the view and the company.
Do cats need a scratching post if they have a tree?
The tree’s posts count if they are sisal. Add a standalone post next to the sofa anyway. Cats scratch where they are, not where the tree is.