The 8 Best Cat Trees, According To Rigorous Feline Testing
Many people think of cats as low-maintenance pets, but they still need enrichment in the form of toys and exercise to stay happy and healthy. For indoor cats, the best cat trees provide a safe way to express their natural behaviors. “Cat trees offer vertical space for climbing, perching and exploring, and this enrichment is crucial for their physical and mental well-being,” explains cat trainer Albert Colominas of OutdoorBengal.
Along with five feline testers, we evaluated 17 cat trees for over a month to find the very best … [+]
With the help of five cats, I tested 17 of the best cat trees available on the market today. After rigorous testing for over a month, our top pick is the Mau Cento cat tree. Not only is it one of the most aesthetically pleasing options we tried, but it was also beloved by multiple cats, who enjoyed scratching its wooden posts and curling up in the padded baskets.
After over a month of use, the Mau Cento cat tree was the clear winner among all the products we tested. Although it is a bit pricey, this tree takes the top spot because it achieved a rare feat: It was a hit with multiple cats and stylish enough to be loved by people, too. The Cento’s attractive design is made from real wood and soft faux-fur fabric, making it both sturdy and cozy. It can easily be incorporated into your home’s decor as an accent piece, not an eyesore.
This cat tree has a variety of features that made it a hit with two of our furry friends, Piper and Sophie. There’s a cozy hideaway at the base of the tree, as well as two spacious rattan baskets lined with machine-washable pads. The baskets are big enough to accommodate most average-sized felines, and they immediately became a favorite spot for midday naps. Sophie made herself at home in the cozy basket before the tree was even assembled, a process that was quick and straightforward.
Piper putting the stylish and sturdy Mau Cento cat tree through its paces.
The natural wood posts that support the two baskets give the tree a slightly rustic look, and they’re wrapped in sisal rope, which Piper loved to claw. The tower also has a large, sturdy base that prevents wobbling, even when Piper would hang perilously off the top basket to bat at the hanging pompom underneath.
While the Mau Cento cat tree is a bit more expensive than other options, it has another huge selling point that makes it worth the investment: All its components are replaceable. The brand’s website has a section dedicated to replacement parts where you can purchase new pompoms, sisal rope, baskets and pads for the tree. So even if your cat rips up certain pieces, you’ll be able to replace them instead of sending the whole product to the landfill—not only is this more sustainable, but it will also save you money in the long run.
For a smaller, more budget-friendly cat tree, we recommend this 38-inch option from Frisco. The three-level design has all the features of a good cat tree—a “condo” for hiding, multiple scratching posts and a plush bed on top—and I thought it was well-made for a fairly reasonable price. Plus, it was another favorite among the cats, who particularly enjoyed sleeping in the cozy bolstered bed on top.
A quick-to-assemble and affordable tree that was a hit with both our human and cat testers.
This cat tree was quick and easy to assemble using the included Allen wrench, though I don’t love that the bolts are visible once the product is assembled. The fleece-like material also shed quite a bit for the first few days, leaving flecks of fiber on the floor around it.
Because Piper likes to be cradled as she sleeps, she frequently chose this tree’s bed over models with flat platforms. She also liked hiding in the base and popping out to grab my feet, and the middle platform provided a nice perch for grooming. Plus, I love that the bolstered bed can be easily removed from the tree and put in the washing machine for cleaning. So while it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option out there, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a small, practical and inexpensive tree for your cat.
The Frisco 72-Inch Large Base Faux Fur Cat Tree and Condo was the tallest product the cats tested, and its oversized form is spacious enough to accommodate two or even three cats at a time. Piper loves climbing, so she had a blast leaping between the extra-high perches and often hung upside down off them to bat at the hanging toys underneath. Even Henry, one of the older cats who helped with testing, liked hanging out on this tree, using the ramps to climb up onto higher platforms. Because it’s so tall, this cat tree does wobble more than others (especially if your cat is rambunctious while playing), but it comes with wall-mounting hardware to prevent it from tipping over.
The Frisco 72-Inch Large Base Faux Fur Cat Tree and Condo was the tallest product the cats tested, … [+]
As you might expect, assembling this cat tree takes longer than others, as there are many pieces that need to be screwed into place. It took over an hour to put together by myself, but overall, I was impressed with the quality and size of this product, especially for such a reasonable price.
One of the biggest problems with cat trees is that most are too small for breeds like Maine coons or rag dolls, so I wanted to test an option that would work for bigger cats. The Cat Trone XXL fit the bill; this oversized cat tree was designed specifically for big, heavy animals, and the construction is extra sturdy, with plenty of room for even the largest felines to lounge.
This oversized option is ideal for comfortably accommodating larger cats.
This cat tree has a basic design, with a jump-up platform and bed on top, but the brand does offer other designs with features like condos and hammocks. Because there were just a few pieces, the tree was quick to assemble, and I was impressed by the thick sisal-wrapped support poles, which are a whopping 8 inches in diameter and extremely sturdy. The pole also proved to be a great scratching post—Sophie loved that she could wrap her paws around it to sink in her claws. Despite being a smaller cat, she loved curling up on the spacious top platform to sleep, and it could easily accommodate an animal twice her size.
If you’re short on space, this basic cat tree from Amazon has a small footprint that fits neatly into a corner, yet it was a favorite for Piper and Henry. It comes in either a three- or four-tier design, with the taller version being ideal for cats to perch and gaze out of a nearby window. The carpet-covered tree provided ample traction for climbing, and Piper often napped in the round top area, perfectly sized for her to curl up in.
This sturdy and simple option is best suited for cats under 10 pounds.
The cat tree is quite sturdy, with all posts wrapped in jute for scratching. However, the beige carpet fabric may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option available. It’s best suited for cats under 10 pounds; Henry, who weighs around 12 pounds, found the top bed a tad cramped.