The Complete Guide to Cat Trees: Are They Worth It?
Cat trees, scratchers, towers, and perches—these multifunctional accessories serve important purposes for our feline friends. They cover a wide variety of essential components in cat care and make for a great investment in your home.
Here’s why:
Why Cats Need Indoor Cat Trees or Towers
Domestic cats retain many of their wild instincts and needs. A cat tree offers them a way to satisfy several of these instincts in a healthy manner, which can also mitigate unwanted behaviors such as scratching furniture and inter-cat aggression.
Nail Care - Most cat trees are designed with scratching surfaces, which help cats keep their nails in check. Placing a cat tree near a favorite sleeping spot is ideal, as cats love to scratch when they wake up from a nap.
Stretching - Cats enjoy a good stretch after waking up, and a tall, sturdy cat tree provides the perfect place for this morning ritual.
Spreading Their Scent - Scratching is not only about nail care but also about scent-marking. Cats use their scent to communicate with each other, which helps manage conflicts and provides a sense of security, especially in multi-cat households. A cat tree offers more opportunities for this behavior, reducing stress and spraying around the home.
Vertical Space - Cats feel safer when they can observe their surroundings from a high vantage point. This is crucial in a household with other pets, children, or visitors. High cat towers and trees allow cats to distance themselves from potential stressors and avoid conflicts by providing separate levels for different cats. Placing the tower next to a window allowing your cat a view of the outdoors from a high point is a bonus.
Hiding Spots & Play- Many cat trees come with cubby holes or deep beds, providing cats with secure hiding places that can significantly reduce stress and allow for burrowed rest. Additionally, you’re likely to find your cat playing actively with you or your other cats using the nestles of the tower as a hiding place. Having string toys attached to the tower can keep your kitten entertained for hours.
Resting and Sleeping Spots - Though cats can sleep anywhere, designated resting spots on cat trees can help them feel more secure. These spots are considered key resources for a cat’s well-being.
What to Look for In an Indoor Cat Tree
When shopping for a cat tree, consider these factors:
Location: Ensure you have enough room both on the floor and vertically. A spot near a window is ideal.
Material: Choose materials that your cat prefers for scratching, such as carpet, sisal rope, or cardboard
Levels: Ensure your cat can easily move between levels and that there is plenty of room on each level (especially with more than one cat in the home)
Resting Preferences: Consider whether your cat likes enclosed spaces, cushioned beds, or shallow perches
Stability: The tree should withstand vigorous scratching, stretching and climbing without toppling over
Size: It should be tall enough to get a good view of the room with wide enough ledges for a good stretch
Design: Choose a design that provides both comfort as well as play for your cat, allowing for both rest & entertainment
With all of this in mind, we found 3 incredible and affordable options for cat owner’s like yourself to consider. They incorporate all of the essentials listed and then some!
We strongly recommend the following cat towers:
If you’re willing to give your feline friend a fun, comfortable and exciting place in your house to call home, a cat tower is 100% worth it. A good Cat Tower bridges both instinctual and domesticated essentials into one tall standing structure.
