The best cat tree is tall enough for a confident lookout, heavy and stable enough not to wobble, and wrapped in sisal rather than carpet for scratching. Match the design to your cat's age and habits — this cat tree buying guide shows what cats genuinely use, so you don't waste money on a tower that just gathers dust.
Why do cats need a tree or scratcher at all?
Scratching and climbing aren't bad habits — they're hard-wired needs. Cats scratch to shed claw sheaths, mark territory and stretch, and they climb to feel safe by watching the room from above.
Give them a proper outlet and your lounge, curtains and skirting boards survive much longer. Ignore it and the cat simply picks its own target, which is usually the most expensive thing in the room.
What are the key factors when choosing a cat tree?
A few features separate a tree that gets used daily from one the cat ignores. Weigh these up before you buy.
Height and vantage points
Cats love to perch high and survey their domain. A taller tree with a top platform gives the elevated lookout most cats crave, especially in busy households.
Look for at least one enclosed level too. A covered cubby offers a bolt-hole when visitors arrive or the vacuum comes out.
Stability and base weight
This is the factor owners most often overlook, and it's the one that makes or breaks daily use. A tree that rocks or tips when the cat leaps on will be abandoned fast.
Choose a wide, heavy base, and wall-anchor tall models where you can. Bigger cats need a noticeably sturdier frame than a kitten does.
Scratching surface material
Sisal rope is the gold standard — it's coarse, satisfying and long-lasting. Cats also enjoy plain cardboard scratchers, which are cheap to replace when worn.
Avoid trees wrapped only in soft carpet. It frays quickly and, worse, teaches the cat that carpet everywhere is fair game, including the floor.
Scratcher orientation
Watch how your cat already scratches. Some stretch upward against vertical posts; others prefer to rake horizontally along the ground.
Many cats like both, so a tree combining vertical posts with a flat scratch pad covers all bases and suits multi-cat homes.
Which cat tree suits which cat?
There's no single best tree — the right pick depends on the cat in front of you. Use the guide below to match the design to your household.
| Your cat | Best features to look for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten or young cat | Lower platforms, dangling toys, soft cubby | Safe heights while coordination develops, plus play to burn energy |
| Senior or arthritic cat | Low steps, wide ramps, ground-level scratcher | Easy access without big jumps that strain ageing joints |
| Large or heavy breed | Heavy base, thick posts, wall anchor | Real stability under weight so the tree never tips |
| Nervous or indoor cat | Tall lookout, enclosed hideaway | A high, private retreat lowers stress in busy homes |
| Multi-cat household | Multiple platforms, two scratch surfaces | Reduces squabbles by giving each cat its own spot |
Where should you put a cat tree?
Placement matters as much as the tree itself. The exact same tower gets loved or ignored depending on where it stands.
Position it by a sunny window so your cat can bask and watch birds — a built-in cat TV. Keep it in a social area rather than a spare room, because cats want to be near the family, not banished.
Put a scratcher right beside the spot the cat currently claws, then gradually shift it if you must. Sprinkling a little catnip on the posts helps seal the deal early on.
Making the space work for cats and people
A cat tree is furniture, so it should suit your room as well as your cat. Neutral tones and a tidy footprint help it blend in rather than dominate the lounge.
If your tree sits in a reading nook or bedroom corner, soft cordless lighting like these rechargeable wall sconces keeps the zone cosy without trailing cords for paws to bat. You'll find more pieces to build out the space in our broader home furniture range.
Care and cleaning tips
A little upkeep keeps a tree appealing and hygienic for years. Cats avoid grubby, matted scratchers, so stay on top of it.
- Vacuum platforms weekly to lift shed fur and dander
- Trim frayed sisal threads so claws don't snag
- Refresh catnip occasionally to renew interest
- Replace cardboard inserts once they're shredded through
Keep a box of heavy-duty 60L garbage bags handy for bagging worn scratch pads and general clean-ups, and a pack of disposable gloves like these Vileda Ansell WORKmates gloves makes handling litter trays and messy jobs far more pleasant.
Don't forget play and enrichment
A tree gives a cat somewhere to be, but toys give it something to do. The two together prevent the boredom that leads to furniture-scratching in the first place.
Rotate a handful of small toys so novelty never fades, and add a plush companion like this Bazza the bin chicken plush for the ones that like to wrestle and carry a soft toy about. Browse plenty more options in our toys, kids and pets range to keep the enrichment fresh.
Frequently asked questions
What height should a cat tree be?
There's no strict rule, but taller trees with a top perch suit most cats, since height gives them the lookout they instinctively want. Kittens and senior cats do better with lower platforms and easy steps. Whatever the height, prioritise a heavy, stable base and wall-anchor tall towers so nothing wobbles or tips during a leap.
Is sisal or carpet better for a cat scratcher?
Sisal is far better. It's coarse, durable and satisfying to scratch, and it stands up to years of use. Carpet frays fast and can teach your cat that carpet everywhere — including your floor — is fine to claw. Cardboard scratchers are a good, cheap alternative that you simply replace once they wear through.
How do I get my cat to actually use its new tree?
Placement and scent do most of the work. Put the tree in a sunny, social spot near where your cat already spends time, ideally by a window. Rub or sprinkle catnip on the posts, dangle a toy from it, and reward your cat when it climbs. Position any scratcher right beside the furniture it's currently targeting.
Where is the best place to put a cat tree?
By a window in a room the family uses, rather than a hidden spare room. Cats want to watch the outdoors and stay near their people. A sunny sill spot doubles as entertainment, and keeping the tree in a busy area — not banished away — makes your cat far more likely to adopt it as a favourite perch.
