cat trees?

This is probably a dumb question, but what the heck. I'm thinking about getting a cat tree for Snickers since I've moved into a bigger apartment and she could probably use the exercise. But how do they work? For the big tall ones, do you need to install them. I mean, do they need to be bolted to the floor or attached to the ceiling so they don't topple over when the cat jumps on it? Though you would never suspect it from her kitten picture below, Snickers is a big girl. And I wouldn't want the tree to fall on her. So are they generally pretty stable or do they need extra support? Any recommendations as to good brands or styles?

We have a tall one, but my husband made it himself so it's pretty stable (Bijou is 16+ lbs so when he jumps on or off you know!). I'm not sure about store-bought ones, but I think you really need to have a good look at what you are buying. I had thought about buying one on-line, but was afraid it might turn out to be junk when I got it home.

We have a medium to tall Amarkat tree. My 12 lb Chessy loves to sleep on the top ledge. It does wobble a little when he jumps up there (just the top ledge, not the whole tree), but it seems very sturdy. You could get one and then closely observe your cat with it to see if it needs to be bolted to the wall.

If the base is good and sturdy you don't have to bolt it down. I'd get one no taller then 6-7 feet at the most - around 6 would be fine for most cats. Most trees do NOT come apart - its all one piece. So you need a truck if its over 4-5 feet tall.

Hi, I have something called a 'cat condo'. It is not a tree and not really all that tall but tall enough so she can sit in it and look thru my dining room window. The top is sort of like a saddle where she sits comfortably. Under that is a barrel where she also sits but can run thru it if she wants to play. She loves it, it has a nice stable bottom and it does not tip over. Rather than buy a really tall tree, get a shorter one since I heard where the tall ones can topple over. Sorry I don't have a pic to show you of my cat condo.

I have a ceiling high one which has a disc on the top that rests against the ceiling. You're supposed to adjust that so that pressure holds the tree in place. It didn't work very well though and the tree snapped in 2! It's still in 2 pieces and the cats are using it like that so I'm in no hurry to sort it out, but it really needs to be attached to the wall or a stable piece of furniture.

I'd recommend getting a tree that has solid wood posts rather than the cheaper cardboard ones as they're much stronger and less likely to cause the tree to topple over or snap. If you have platforms, hammocks etc hanging out the side of the tree I definitely wouldn't go for one with cardboard posts - mine was like that and the weight of an average sized cat sleeping in the hammock was enough to cause the post to snap.

Drs. Foster & Smith has some floor-to-ceiling ones:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2002+113197
(If I had space, the Kitty City looks totally fun!

)

And CatsPlay has ones that are 84 inches (7 feet), and even one that's 90 inches (7-1/2 feet)!
http://catsplay.com/kitty_gyms.php3

Those huge kitty trees/gyms are HEAVY, and unlikely to top over, unless you've got jumbo-crazy-cats

, then maybe I'll put it a corner, braced by the walls...

Thanks for the links to the web sites where they are sold. Now I just have to start saving up for one. I didn't realize they were so expenseive!

In the long run they are not expensive. Consider if you are putting out $100-200 dollars for a good treehouse.

Then compare to the little ones they sell in WalMart for $10-15 and are very small. The small ones will not last long (IF they even use it). And the treehouses lasts for years and years - I've had some for 10+ years that are still in good shape - divide that and you are only spending $10-15 a year




But do you put carpet pieces in or on the rubbermaid one?

Originally Posted by laureen227

i guess that would be your choice... i think it's Mike, slave of the jellicle tribe, who has them? i think he put carpet pieces inside the boxes. they're really condos, not scratching posts.

Click to expand...

Yep, here is the link to Mike's post about his Tupper Lair:
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...hlight=shelves

Edit: I don't think there are scratching surfaces (that I could see) but you may be able to use your imagination to come up with something. Perhaps attaching carpet to the sides of one? My guy loves his cardboard scratcher and never uses the cat tree for that purpose.