According to a behaviorist, cat parents should seriously consider investing in a cat tree.
In the wild, cats are naturally drawn to high spaces. These elevated spots offer them a sense of security, safety, and a strategic vantage point to observe their environment while remaining protected from potential threats [1]. Cats, being both predator and prey, find comfort in being high up, as it mimics their natural instincts and allows them to monitor their territory, watch for prey or danger, and have protective barriers around them [1]. Such spots are usually less trafficked by people or other animals, providing peaceful sanctuaries to relax [1].
To support these natural instincts, cat owners can provide sturdy, appropriately designed cat trees placed in locations that encourage use. Key considerations include stability, design, placement, and familiarity [2]. A cat tree must be solid with no wobble or shake, as instability signals danger and discourages use [2]. It should have accessible perches or platforms at varying heights and be sized appropriately for the cat's size and agility [2]. Positioning cat trees where cats feel involved but safe—for example, near windows or family activity areas rather than quiet, unused corners—ensures they can watch their surroundings comfortably [2]. New cat trees may be initially ignored because of unfamiliar smells; owners can encourage usage by rubbing the tree with familiar scents or allowing cats to explore gradually [2].
Providing cat trees meeting these criteria helps satisfy cats’ natural climbing, scratching, and perching behaviors, which can reduce boredom, prevent destructive scratching of furniture, and improve their mental and physical health through exercise and stress relief [4].
Cat trees offer vertical space for cats to express their natural instincts and provide benefits such as scratching surfaces, cozy beds, hidden nooks, and plenty of spots to leap and explore. A model of the cat tree features an especially cozy hammock and a staircase-inspired layout. Cat trees can be particularly beneficial in multi-cat households, as they can help avoid conflicts and increase space and separate pathways for cats to avoid each other [3].
Stephanie Merlin, a certified feline behaviorist and cat well-being educator, recommends the Go Pet Club Foldable Cat Tree as one of her favorite models, which features multiple tiers, scratching posts, and a cozy cave for your cat to rest [5]. Merlin also suggests looking for cat trees with removable parts for easy cleaning and maintenance. For older cats who enjoy lounging, a perch-filled cat tree is recommended.
An especially tall cat tree made for enthusiastic scratchers has received 15,000 5-star ratings. A super-spacious cat tree with 18,000 5-star ratings is another option. There is a version of the recommended cat tree that comes with scratching posts. A cozy, extra-tall cat tree with sweet details is an option. A cat tree designed for large cats and suitable for corner spaces is available. A climbing tree with multiple levels of beds and perches is available.
In summary, a heavy-duty cat tree with multiple beds and easily-accessible tiers is highly recommended for cat owners. By understanding and catering to their feline friends' natural instincts, we can provide them with safe, stable, well-placed cat trees that encourage natural hunting and resting behaviors, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being.
- For cats, the right home-and-garden setup could include a sturdy cat tree that caters to their natural climbing and perching behaviors, offering a suitable lifestyle akin to their wild counterparts.
- To facilitate a content lifestyle for pets at home, pet owners can opt for tall cat trees equipped with multiple tiers and scratching posts, providing them with vertical space for exercise, relaxation, and expressing their instinctual behaviors.
