Cat Tree

From LoveToKnow Cats

A cat tree offers your pet a place to call his own. This feline furniture comes in various sizes, shapes, colors and set-ups. All cats love a special place to relax in, take naps and scratch their claws. A cat tree provides the perfect place for it all.

Cat Furniture

Cats need a place to lounge and objects to claw. Besides relaxing, your cat's second love is climbing. Climbing is second nature to cats, and the higher they can go the better they like it. A cat tree satisfies all these natural instincts. These activity trees offer different platforms, cubbies and toys for your cat to bat and amuse himself.

Trees vary in height from two or three platforms to up to ten or more. When shopping around, keep in mind where you plan to put this furniture so you wind up with a unit that fits. Many pet owners find a corner makes an ideal place for Kitty's new hang out.

Cat Tree Material

Cat trees are covered with a material that is designed to give your cat an appropriate place to scratch. Manufacturers often use carpet, and this works great at first, but after time your cat’s claws cut through the fabric loops. What you wind up with is a frayed mess and an eye sore.

Let's look at some better alternatives.

Faux Fur

Engineers recently tackled the unraveling carpet problem and developed an acrylic material called fake fur specifically designed to withstand repetitive cat scratching. This material does not contain loops, so it is harder to destroy. However, cats still seem to enjoy the feeling they get from running their claws over this textured material and seem quite satisfied.

More cat manufacturers are beginning to use faux fur, so make sure you ask which material the tree is made from before you purchase.

Sisal Rope

Sisal rope is another high durability material used in cat trees. The vertical posts of the unit are wrapped with the sisal rope to give cats a material that offers resistance when they dig their claws into it. The rope is made from a plant named Agave Sisalana that is found in Mexico. Cats are naturally drawn to the rough texture of this material and find dragging their claws across it irresistible.

Construction

Wood Posts

The posts used to make the tree are usually made from wooden two by fours or heavy cardboard tubes. The most common wood products used are:

Plywood
Pressed wood
Pressboard (particle board)

Platforms

The platforms of a cat tree are generally made from either plywood or pressboard. These are the “floors” that your cat uses to climb the tree and take naps. They need to be strong enough to bear his weight, so don't be afraid to press on them to make sure they are going to hold up.

Types of Cat Trees

With all the choices you have to pick from, shopping for a cat tree can be a little overwhelming. Space and cost are the two most important factors to keep in mind as you shop.

Free Standing

If your space or budget does not leave you much wiggle room, a free standing tree is a great option. These have a wide base and can stand anywhere. Test the base to make sure it is wide enough to keep the tree from tipping over.

Smaller trees are easier to move from room to room than floor-to-ceiling trees. A shorter cat tree will stand about three to eight feet tall, although this varies based on style and number of platforms.

Floor-to-Ceiling

A floor to ceiling cat tree offers an adjustable post that uses the ceiling to help balance it. Some units use a spring-tension rod to secure the tree between floor and ceiling while others use a screw-based mechanism to semi-permanently connect the tree to the ceiling. The base is often smaller on this model since it is not needed to maintain balance.

Features

While shopping around, you will find numerous features and options including:

Cat Hammocks: Swinging platforms
Mini tunnels: Round tunnels to creep through and hide in
Hanging toys: Balls, bells or mouse toys attached to sisal rope for swatting and play
Cat condos or houses: Often found at the top of the tree, these hide-aways offer a place to hide out and sleep
Sleep trays: Curved platforms designed for comfort
Ramps: Perfect for cats who prefer to climb instead of jump
Ladders: Used as connectors between platforms

Cost

Cat trees range in price from $40.00 for smaller models with a single platform to several hundred dollars for models offering all the features your feline friend could ever want.

While shopping for furniture, keep your kitty’s size in mind. If the tree you decide on has a tunnel or house, make sure the opening is wide enough for your cat to fit through. after all, you want him to make the most of his new play house.