7 Best Cat Trees for Kittens in 2022 – Review & Top Picks
There’s something that you should know. Even though dogs are a man’s best friend, cats too are just as important. Why, you ask? Well, this is why:
We heard through the grapevine that the cat’s purr has the ability to lower a person’s blood pressure, and even calm their nervous system. The source that we got this information from also intimated that there’s scientific evidence out there that explains why cat people always have an incredible cardiovascular health.
The point that we’re trying to drive home is, if you take good care of your kitten, it will also take care of you when it’s all grown. Today we’re going to look at some of the best cat trees for kittens, because we believe getting your kitten will keep them stimulated. Let’s get to it.
What makes the Go Pet Club Cat Tree Furniture 62” our best overall cat tree? For starters, it’s been constructed using compressed wood that’s impressively durable. Durability is an influential factor in this market, and the reason why brands are now investing millions of dollars in the R&D department.
Secondly, the faux fur covering used to wrap all the hard parts is premium quality. So, you know your kittens will always be warm and cozy.
Believe us when we say no kitten will feel less entertained or least of all bored when the Go Pet Club Cat Tree Furniture 62” is in the house. It comes with features like the condo, running ramp, spacious perch, hanging toys, and a basket that’s unique to the brand.
“What if the cat likes to scratch things while playing?”
We have multiple scratching posts that will deal with that particular problem. They’ve all been covered by natural sisal ropes, which are designed to take any form of abuse that the kitten throws at it. The ropes also make climbing a lot easier, and that’s great if you were looking for ways to encourage the kitten to exercise more.
We hope its wide and heavy base will answer any question that touches on sturdiness and stability. But if you still need assurances, take it from us; we’ve never come across a cat tree that’s more stable that the Go Pet Club Cat Tree Furniture 62” cat tree
Also, it’s very easy to assemble. In the package, you’ll find an instruction manual that’s very detailed. The only problem that we had with it was how easy it was for the hammock to fall off.
It will give your kitten a good “claw workout” courtesy of the posts wrapped with top-notch quality sisal. The sisals are remarkably strong, and can comfortably hold onto their claws as they get in a good stretch.
FEANDREA is no small brand. They’ve certainly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, and that’s why we weren’t surprised to learn that this Medium Density Fiberboard product is just as sturdy as an oak. It features a well-engineered wood base plate that won’t budge even if you drop tons of lead on it.
The FEANDREA Cat Tree has two parts. There’s the lower part that acts as a playground, and the upper area that’s basically a roomy suite. They can sunbathe for hours on this top perch without feeling any sort of discomfort.
Not yet sold? Okay, here’s another thing: Unlike other animal-loving brands, FEANDREA usually offers after-sales services for a lifetime. So, you’ll still get assistance 10 years from now, 20, 30, 40 or even 50.
Sadly though, the basket lounger doesn’t swivel. That could have been dope.
From our understanding, the main reason why the Feline Lotus Cat Tower Furniture is that costly is that the materials used in construction are also expensive. And you’ll agree, when you see the berber carpet covering the whole setup.
It’s the type of carpet that you’d use on anything susceptible to wear and tear because it is durable, and doesn’t tear off easily.
The other thing that contributed to that high price tag is Velcro. Velcro are nothing more than fasteners that have replaced zippers, buttons and the likes. We also have a sisal padding that’s high-quality, and long-lasting.
If you look inside the hide-away cubby, you’ll see some soft cushions. You’ll also realize that the faux suede covers are washable, and that’s a plus in our books. Well, that and the fact that it’s been crafted in ply with oak veneer to ensure it’s strong enough.
Regrettably, the Feline Lotus Cat Tower Furniture comes unassembled.
This right here is what we like to call the ‘Recreational Paradise.’ And quite honestly, we kind of feel like that’s an understatement considering it’s one of the most spacious and versatile products on the market.
If the cat wants to feel like royalty, they can either relax at the luxury deep hammock, or climb all the way up to the top perch where they’ll be able to see and marvel at what the world has to offer.
Should they feel bored and wish to be more active, they could climb down to the lower level, where they’ll find a loop and interactive hanging balls meant to keep them entertained. So in a nutshell what we’re saying is, the Rabbitgoo Cat Tree Cat Tower 61″ can and will fulfill all your kitten’s desires, which are to play, exercise a little, and then relax.
And have you checked out the scratching posts? Each one of them has a natural sisal rope reinforcement that is strong enough to withstand any amount of scratching. We also loved the fact that the condo has been strategically placed to give your furry friend a little more privacy.
How stable is it? Very stable. We forgot to mention that this sturdy construction comes with strengthened base plates, and is made of heavy-duty particle wood. That’s one way of us telling you that it doesn’t wobble, and is very durable. The only thing that we didn’t like was that it didn’t have an instruction manual.
The Tiger Tough Tall Cat Tree will have you thinking that you’re looking at a skyscraper. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. If you’re looking for a cat tree that delivers fun and play, it’s the one for you. But if you’re looking for something that won’t fill up the whole room, you should definitely move on to the next one.
Anyway, for those of you looking for a cat tree that will engage and mentally stimulate your kitten, we highly recommend this. Its towering design will for sure promote a healthier and active lifestyle, seeing as it offers more levels for exercising and climbing.
The plush ball toys, interactive IQ busy box, sisal wrapped posts, hinging ropes, and the prey-looking toy, are all features incorporated in there to offer mental stimulation.
And now that we’ve mentioned sisal, this sounds like as good a time as any to let you know that they are not the typical kind. They’re unique in the sense that they make the posts have that bark-like texture of a tree, thereby satisfying the kitten’s scratching needs. Also, they can withstand the test of time.
The Tiger Tough Tall Cat Tree can accommodate more than one kitten, just so you know. The design has two separate condo hideouts, that are spacious enough to provide cozy nestling to more than one. The whole thing is also easy to clean, and made of a composite board.
The one drawback that we would like to address is the issue we had with the top perch. We didn’t quite understand why they had to make it smaller than all the other perches. It’s almost like it was meant to encourage those painful falls.
Did you know kittens always learn the art of hiding when they’re only five weeks old? Because we sure didn’t. It’s something that we got to learn from Armarkat, while explaining to them the type of tree we were looking for. This 58-inch tree was deliberately designed with a well-hidden compartment for kitties trying to master that skill. A skill that later evolves into the stalking and hunting technique.
Comfort is an important aspect of stalking, so Armarkat made sure comfortability was at its best by covering it with a high-density faux fur. And beneath those covers you’ll find a 15mm pressed wood material, that makes the whole set up look thick and strong.
There’s also a second and third perch, and a condo, in case it gets tired and wants to close its eyes for a few minutes. The sisal ropes are there to do what they do best—guarantee years of “scratchability.”
Would we recommend this product to cat lovers? Definitely. Especially now that we know it comes with pet bed covers that are not only soft and cozy, but also stain resistant, pretty resilient, and washable.
We just wish the tree was stable like the trees that we’ve used before. This one is a little bit wobblier.
Don’t let that word ‘large’ in that name fool you. The BEWISHOME Large Cat Tree will most certainly cater to your cat’s needs, together with her kitties. They made sure this design included three cushioned beds, with adequate space to accommodate more than one fur baby. The bed’s edges are all raised by the way, so that everyone can have a place to lay their heads while resting.
BEWISHOME knew keeping peace in the house would be problematic, seeing as siblings fight all the time. Therefore, they added 2 spacious hideaway houses, and a lounging room, for those looking for a timeout.
The cozy hammock will also serve the same purpose, but the scratching posts are meant to prevent the cats from ruining your furniture. Leaping on and off the tree, or playing with the jingly balls, won’t look like a dangerous act because the BEWISHOME Large Cat Tree is sturdy and stable.
The anchor strap feature wasn’t added to cast doubt in your mind. It’s there to give you a peace of mind, should you feel like securing the structure by attaching it to a wall is the surefire way to guarantee safety.
This CARB P2 grade environmental board construction comes in plush material, which is an incredible cover. It’s so soft, very comfortable, and appealing to the eyes. We also found it to be very easy to assemble.
The only thing we didn’t like was how the sisal covering the posts didn’t extend far enough.
Pros
Can accommodate more than one kitten
2 spacious hideaway houses
Anchor strap for guaranteed safety
CARB P2 grade environmental board construction
Aesthetically pleasing
Sturdy and stable
Easy to assemble
Comfortable
Cons
Sisal doesn’t extend far enough
Buyer’s Guide
A cat tree is definitely the most expensive item that you’ll ever buy for your kitten. Is it necessary? Yes. Why? Well, because you wouldn’t want the kitten to mark your favorite couch as it’s personal property. If you let it get to that stage, your relationship will eventually be strained, and you guys won’t live harmoniously.
Don’t think of it as something that you HAVE to buy. Think of it as an investment that will help you bond better with your furry friend.
You should know cat trees are just like any other pet product in the market. They are all made of different materials, and come in different shapes and sizes. The ideal cat tree for your kitten will depend on a couple of factors, including the kitten’s personality, and your aesthetics preference—Nobody wants to buy anything hideous.
Anyway, these are the things that we think are important when shopping for a decent cat tree:
Material
Image Credit: Chewy
All the cat trees currently being offered on the market are made of carpet and wood. But there’s a subtle difference, and it will only be noticeable to someone who’s been investing in this product for eons.
You see back in the day, they used to manufacture trees that were mostly covered in carpet. You’d hardly feel any wood. But then people realized the carpet encourages scratching, and that was a huge problem—Not to the cat, but to the owner.
Because cats loved that sense of satisfaction drawn from scratching carpets, they started destroying designer rugs in the house and even the furniture. So, what the carpet was essentially doing unwittingly, was training the kitten to destroy anything that had a soft fabric.
Not to mention, these types of cat trees weren’t as durable as the wooden ones, and really looked ugly once they became shredded. Long story short, don’t invest in a cat tree that’s all carpet.
Size
Size is for sure a deciding factor, especially if we’re talking about the perches and condos. We all know these territorial animals like to spend most of their time in confined spaces, but sometimes it’s difficult to get a good nap in, if the space is… restricting. That’s why you need to opt for one that comes with perches or condos that are reasonably large.
For the record, we’re not saying that it’s impossible for your kitten to curl up on a perch that’s far smaller than them. It’s very much possible. However, you have to think about comfortability. In our opinion, the best perch size is one that’s at least ¾ the length of your kitten. And it has to have a raised edge, or something that could support the kitten’s head while it’s napping.
Capacity
Image Credit: Yaheetech, Chewy
This will only be a factor worth taking into consideration if you have more than one kitten or a dog. And it’s all about how territorial these animals are. Look for cat trees that have more than one perch or condo. That’s the only way you’ll solve this problem of being woken up in the middle of the night by the noises made during altercations.
The levels
Might not look or even sound like a big deal, but it is if you want your kitten to be entertained and exercise more. More levels mean more spots for your cat to explore.
Cat trees can have up to six levels. Those that only have three levels or less, will be classified as small. Small doesn’t mean that they won’t have bigger perches or condos. It’s their way of telling you that they won’t have a pronounced impact on your home décor, unlike the six-level tree. But they’ll still do the job, which is to provide your kitten with the enrichment that it deserves.
Stability & Durability
More often than not, you’ll hear brands market their products around these two factors. That’s because they know consumers are normally more willing and ready to invest their hard-earned money on things that exude quality. And quality is an aspect best defined by stability, and more importantly, durability.
What does a stable cat tree look like?
Well, it will have a firm base. Firm in the sense that it won’t start wobbling the minute the cat jumps on it, or plays with the jingly things. Ironically, this is something that a lot of cat owners quickly forget. Just because cats usually move in a stealthy fashion doesn’t mean that they’ll be gentle at the top of that tree. All that scratching and rolling will need a firm base.
Cat trees are not just homes. They aren’t designed for single-use either. They are there to accommodate the kitten in different ways, so they have to be durable. If you sense it will go through wear and tear fast, move on to the next one.
Versatility
Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
Is it something that will keep the kitten engaged in all sorts of ways? Because if it can’t challenge the cat physically and mentally, it’s not worth a dime. The toys, tunnels, and ramps/ladders are also features to consider.
Assembly
You could get a pre-assembled cat tree or an unassembled one. But we can’t tell you what’s right for you since consumers’ tastes and preferences are never the same.
However, this is what we know; guys who find it easy assembling IKEA furniture have never really struggled assembling any cat tree. That’s just an observation we made.
Price
Oh, this is definitely a big one. And we’ll be addressing pet owners who think premium costly products are the only good products in the market.
The truth is, they’re not. As a matter of fact, you could invest so much money in something that’s good looking, only to be disappointed the minute the cat jumps on it. You should never let your decisions be based on pricing. It’s certainly a factor, but not THE factor.
Do your due diligence, talk to other users, and then go for what you think will be great for your kitten. Remember, the features and specifications are the things that mostly define suitability. Not pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Essence of Having a Cat Tree in the House?
Image Credit: Go Pet Club, Chewy
Despite what people think, cat trees are actually important household items if you own a cat. Human beings have needs, and so do cats. And the perfect example is their need to scratch things.
It’s through scratching that they are capable of eliminating all the dead nil sheaths, and sharpen their claws. Just like onions, the nails grow in layers as well. Something that can be quite uncomfortable, if left unchecked.
The other reason why they scratch stuff from time to time is to mark their territory, and while exercising.
What is The Best Place to Put a Cat Tree?
At the furthest corner of the room. This will ensure the cat always sleeps in the same room as you, and never wakes you up in the morning while pawing at your door. Also, it prevents it from spending too much time on your bed, and leaving cat hair everywhere.
What is The Best Height for a Cat Tree Designed for a Kitten?
Image Credit: Frisco, Chewy
Anything that’s above six feet is ridiculous, and quite frankly, dangerous. Ideally, the tree should be tall enough to promote different exercises, but short enough not to risk the kitten’s safety. So what we’re basically saying is, if it’s able to keep your furry friend occupied for hours on end without risking it’s safety, it’s a good tree.
What is The Right Time to Buy a Cat Tree for a Kitten?
A cat tree is more or less like a jungle gym. And you don’t go to the gym before you learn how to walk. We think you should wait until they know how to walk, or at least jump. That would be after 3-4 months.
It’s been fun, but it’s time to wrap this up. Before we go, we feel morally obligated to tell you this: A lot of people don’t talk about it, but cat trees also have toxic chemicals that could easily compromise your kitten’s health. So once again, remember to do your homework before investing.
Nicole is a lover of animals of all sizes but is especially fascinated with the feline variety. She’s the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese, and works every day so he can relax in the sunshine or by the fire. She’s always had a cat in her home and has spent countless days with others, observing behaviors and softening up even the grouchiest of the lot. Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat can live happy, healthy, and care-free.
