Best Cat Trees for Indoor Cats: Stability, Size, Placement and 2 Picks

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A cat tree gives an indoor cat three things in one place: somewhere high to watch from, something to scratch and a safe spot to nap. This page explains why cats need height, how to pick a tree that will not wobble or tip, how to size it for your cat and your room, what to change for kittens and older cats, and our two picks.

The short answer: buy the sturdiest tree your space allows, with a wide base, sisal posts tall enough for a full stretch and platforms big enough for your largest cat. Fix it to the wall if it came with a strap or anti-tip kit, and put it where your cat can see out of a window.

How we wrote this: what cats need from perches and scratching posts comes from The Ohio State University’s Indoor Pet Initiative, and the buying advice from PetsRadar, which quotes a vet, Dr. Hannah Godfrey, linked where used. Product facts come from the makers and the reviews cited for each pick. We have not tested these cat trees ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings: check them on Amazon. If your cat has stopped jumping or climbing, or seems stiff or sore, see your vet.

Why indoor cats need a cat tree

Ohio State says cats need something that lets them get up off the ground: cats like to climb, and a perch gives them a safe and private place to watch the action from above. It calls a perch a must have for cats, and says cats may feel safer sleeping somewhere high, where no other animal or person can sneak up on them.

A cat tree is also a scratching post. Ohio State says cats scratch to stretch their muscles, shed old claw sheaths, sharpen their claws and leave scent marks, and that sisal posts are ideal because they are satisfying to scratch and tough enough for repeated use. PetsRadar quotes vet Dr. Hannah Godfrey: cat trees let cats show natural behaviors like climbing, jumping and hiding, and help fight boredom, which matters most for indoor cats.

How to choose a cat tree

Sturdy first

PetsRadar warns that the taller a cat tree is, the more likely it is to topple if it is not designed well, and says a large base and a well balanced layout are the best choice. Check whether sleeping platforms sit on a single long post, and whether that post can take the weight of a big cat. Ohio State gives the same rule for scratching posts: sturdy enough not to fall over during use.

Our view, not a quote from the sources: if the tree comes with a wall strap or anti-tip kit, fit it, even if the tree feels solid on day one. A cat that has a tree wobble under it once may stop using it.

Posts tall enough to stretch

Ohio State says vertical posts should be tall enough for your cat to stretch up to scratch, and that most cats prefer a rough material they can shred, such as sisal. Some cats prefer to scratch flat surfaces, so a tree with a sisal pad or ramp as well as posts covers both.

Platforms that fit your cat

PetsRadar says to think about how big your cat is, whether it will fit comfortably on the platforms and in the beds, and whether you have more than one cat, in which case you will need a bigger tree. Check the maker’s weight limit against your heaviest cat.

Measure the space

PetsRadar advises measuring the space before you buy, including whether the tree needs to fit a corner or stay under a certain height.

Where to put a cat tree

Ohio State says cats need to see what is happening outside, and suggests placing a perch where your cat can look out of a window; a bird feeder in the yard makes the view more interesting. If you are not sure where a perch should go, it says to watch your cat: it will show you where it feels comfortable, usually by curling up and falling asleep there.

Ohio State adds that cats often scratch near where they sleep and at room entrances, so a tree with posts in a shared room, near the cat’s resting spots, is more likely to be used than one in a spare room.

Kittens, older cats and more than one cat

• Older cats. PetsRadar says a cat with mobility issues may do better with a tree of just one or two levels that are easy to reach, and Cats.com recommends step-like platforms that a stiff cat can walk up rather than jump. If your cat has started to avoid jumping, see your vet before you assume it is just age.
• Kittens and small cats. Many small trees have low weight limits. Cats.com found that a small budget tree it tested could tip when its larger cats jumped on the top bed, so match the tree to the cat it will be when grown.
• More than one cat. Dr. Godfrey, quoted by PetsRadar, says many cats will share trees and posts if they get along, but that it is probably best to have one cat tree, scratching post or mat per cat, plus one extra.

Our picks

Feandrea 37.8-Inch Multi-Level Cat Tree

Best for smaller rooms. The Feandrea 37.8 in stands 37.8 inches tall on an 18.9 inch square base, with a cave, a basket and a padded perch, and comes with an anti-tip kit. PetsRadar picked it as the best medium-sized cat tree for packing those features into a modest footprint, noting that the plush is not machine washable.

Best for: apartments, kittens and cats that like a mix of hiding and perching. Skip if: you want a floor-to-ceiling tower or have a very large cat.

Mau Ivy 73-Inch Modern Cat Tree

Best tall, furniture-style tree. The Mau Ivy has four wicker baskets at heights up to 73 inches on a curved, sisal-wrapped trunk, with a 23 inch base and machine-washable cushions. Mau lists it for cats up to 18 lbs each and sells replacement parts. Cats.com named it its premium pick for the solid wood frame and wide base, with the caveats that the baskets may be too small for very large cats and some buyers found it hard to assemble.

Best for: climbers that like to nap up high, and homes where the tree is on show. Skip if: your cat is over 18 lbs, or is old and stiff and needs low, easy steps.

For scratching posts and flat scratchers on their own, see the best cat scratching posts. For window perches and beds, see the best cat beds and window perches, and for play, the best toys for indoor cats.

Cat tree safety

Our view, not a quote from the sources:

• Fit the wall strap or anti-tip kit, and recheck bolts and joints every few weeks.
• Replace worn toy strings and frayed sisal before they come loose.
• Do not put a tall tree where a jump from the top could land a cat on something hot or breakable.
• Watch how your cat moves on the tree; if it starts to hesitate before jumps, ask your vet.

FAQ

Do indoor cats need a cat tree?

Ohio State calls a perch a must have for cats, since cats like to climb and watch from above. A cat tree gives a perch and a scratching post in one, though Ohio State notes a perch can also be one that attaches to a windowsill.

How tall should a cat tree be?

Tall enough that the posts let your cat stretch up to scratch, as Ohio State advises, and no taller than you can make stable. PetsRadar notes that taller trees are more likely to topple if badly designed.

How many cat trees do I need for two cats?

The vet quoted by PetsRadar says cats that get along often share, but that one tree, post or mat per cat plus one extra is probably best.

Where is the best place to put a cat tree?

Ohio State suggests somewhere your cat can see out of a window, and says your cat will often show you where it feels comfortable by napping there.

What cat tree is best for an older cat?

PetsRadar suggests one or two easy-to-reach levels for cats with mobility issues, and Cats.com recommends step-like platforms. If your cat has stopped jumping, see your vet.