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Shop for a cat tree with me? Need opinions!!

post #1 of 22
2/1/12 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 

My dad knows I've been wanting a taller tree for my cats. I mentioned that when I get my tax refund check, I'll be buying one. As he hates it when I spend money (Especially he knows about the many vet visits and the costs!), he said he'd buy one for the cats for their birthdays in March!

 woohoo.gif (we need more 'spazzing' emoticons...)

 

So I've picked out a few trees.. based on reviews, Armarkat has the best reviews and best prices on Amazon that I can find.

 

I've posted a few on my wish list for you guys to see. I want to keep it around $100 (the $150 is out, I am sure. I don't want to take advantage of my dad!)..

http://amzn.com/w/3SKAL4LLZEKHO

 

It's my first time buying a tree like this. Here's my requirements:

Must be at least 57" tall (but can't touch the ceiling)

Can't be too large as it's a small space it's going to.. 24-30" max width

Strong and sturdy

Best for jumping and climbing as well as sleeping

Cat approved

 

Feel free to post your tree, where you got it and its cost! I want to hear your cat's opinions on the trees they got and what they like/don't like about it. I want to get the perfect tree for my kitties for their birthdays!

 

Shop with me!

 

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post #2 of 22
2/1/12 at 9:14am

Hi.  How fun to be shopping for cat trees.  We've done all the research twice because the first tree we bought ended up falling over when crazy kitty boys took flying leaps onto it.  (It was a Whisker City brand and a very good design except for the tippiness, probably would have been fine if we had stuck with our one lightweight female cat.) 

 

The second time we went with Molly and Friends, which has a reputation of being untippable.  And it is very sturdy.  I don't think they would fit your price range requirements, though.

 

The brand you are looking at is very popular, and I've read that a lot of folks are very pleased with the amount of tree they get for the money with that brand.  Sometimes, from what I've read, they need to be placed in a corner or against a wall for extra support.  Some people even come up with ways to anchor them to a wall or the ceiling for extra stability.  Good luck!

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post #3 of 22
2/1/12 at 9:42am
From seeing what my cats like in their various trees, I'd go for:

Armarkat 62-Inch Cat Tree, Model B6203, Ivory

When having multiple cats, multiple higher perches are very important or you have a lot of "king of the hill" battles going all the time. laughing02.gif
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post #4 of 22
2/1/12 at 12:17pm
Thread Starter 

thanks for the input, you two!

 

WCL, that's what I am leaning towards. Whoot!

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post #5 of 22
2/1/12 at 12:32pm

That is a tall one. Looks like the tallest and more cat friendly. I like the 88.00 too though. Shipping is costly. And then there is the monkeys that work at the postal service. They use to be gorillas but they are smaller minded now. They seem to like bouncing on stuff. Hope eveything works out.

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post #6 of 22
2/1/12 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 

I think shipping is free if I am not mistaken.. and better to have the gorillas carry it up the stairs to my apartment than me! LOL

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post #7 of 22
2/1/12 at 1:37pm

Not to get you totally confused, but I think the best ones are here, http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/.  I have an Armarkat, and one from "Cozy", and the latter is better quality and heavier.  I'm not going to recommend a specific one because I don't know your home set up, or your cats.  I will say that my Armarkat one serves its purpose, but is made of thin wood.  If you buy from "Cozy" they usually make it to your specs. For instance, you can get carpeted perches with roped supports (for scratching).  Or, you can order the whole thing carpeted.  And you can always choose from several colors.  My only suggestion would be, if you have a bookcase, or a very high piece of furniture, put the tree next to that, and give your kitties access to additional high perches.  In other words, the more high places that the cats can access the better they can exploit all three dimensions of your room(s). 

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post #8 of 22
2/1/12 at 3:25pm
Thread Starter 

Some of the trees on Cozy looks the same as Armarkat (And pricier). Cozy's price range is slightly higher than I am looking for, though I did find a few that isn't too terrible.

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post #9 of 22
2/1/12 at 4:55pm

I bought one on Amazon.com and it was cheap,and it is fine they said in a review that it tips over but it has never done so and the cats love it as much as if it cost a fortune and is holding up well. So don't be fooled into paying a mint for one! Good Luck hope they love it (don't forget the spray catnip to make it more enticing!) 

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post #10 of 22
2/1/12 at 5:07pm
This is my absolute favorite: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BYQ18M/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1328144681&sr=8-2

I have one, my mom got one and bought one for my cousin. It's the best I've found and not tippy at all. But only buy the Armarkat one! I also bought the "same" model from Go! Pet Club (it looks the same in the pictures) and it's definitely lesser quality.

And just a note because I work for the Postal Service. . .these are delivered by UPS or FedEx. No blaming us if they come damaged! tongue.gif
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post #11 of 22
2/1/12 at 5:09pm

I have two really big cat trees...and this one is my favorite:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-Pet-Products-A7401-Beige/dp/B003BYQ18M/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1328144773&sr=1-2  It is $117, but free shipping.  Of my two, this one is the biggest and has the most nooks and crannies for climbing, playing, and sleeping.  I even like the "carpet" type covering.

 

My other one is this one:  http://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-B5701-57-Inch-Tree-Ivory/dp/B003BYQ100/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1328144773&sr=1-1  It is less expensive at $88.  I do not love the "sherpa" that covers it, though.  I have 3 black cats and the hair just does not want to come off of that stuff at all. 

 

Of the ones you have in your cart, I would probably go with the second option.

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post #12 of 22
2/1/12 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 

http://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-Pet-Products-A7401-Beige/dp/B003BYQ18M/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1328144773&sr=1-2

 

this one does have a lot of great reviews and I do like this one a lot. I'll have to measure the spot to make sure it'll fit. Since I can't edit my first post anymore.. I finally measured and 24" wide would be my absolute max. 30" would give me like a foot walking space. 26" would be pushing it, but the linked tree might work well.

 

it's going to go on the right side of this unit where the current post is at.The food dishes can be moved, so that's not an issue. I will be moving my iPod speakers and pictures off the top of the unit to let the cats jump on there as well (they do anyway, but easier access). It's pretty much the only spot I can put a tree that would be best. but if the tree doesn't fit there (if its too big), I can move it to the other side and move my curio to the right. I just need to make sure I can still walk through the area since (unseen in the pic), I have a divider wall leading to my galley kitchen pretty much right where the pic ends on the right. I'd rather not because the right would give more open room for them to jump and play. Or maybe if I push my cube furniture against my galley kitchen wall over, I can put it there... LOL. I'll have to get it and see.


Can you count how many cat sculptures I have? LOL

 

IMG_3562.JPG

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post #13 of 22
2/2/12 at 1:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willowy View Post

This is my absolute favorite: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BYQ18M/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1328144681&sr=8-2
I have one, my mom got one and bought one for my cousin. It's the best I've found and not tippy at all. But only buy the Armarkat one! I also bought the "same" model from Go! Pet Club (it looks the same in the pictures) and it's definitely lesser quality.
And just a note because I work for the Postal Service. . .these are delivered by UPS or FedEx. No blaming us if they come damaged! tongue.gif


Actually FedEx is worse. Sorry if I stepped on your toes there. But it just seems the boxes are so smooshed coming through the lines.

Draco you are one lucky kitty.I been looking too. Great thread as well. Good advise. That is the best thing about this forum. People give great advise when they answer you. 
 

 

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post #14 of 22
2/2/12 at 6:41am
Thread Starter 

I've decided on this one:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BYQ18M/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1328144681&sr=8-2

 

My dad's ordering it, but I am not going to set it up until this annoying ringworm clears up. my poor babies :(

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post #15 of 22
2/3/12 at 2:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Draco View Post

I've decided on this one:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BYQ18M/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1328144681&sr=8-2

 

My dad's ordering it, but I am not going to set it up until this annoying ringworm clears up. my poor babies :(


You inspire me Draco. And It won't take long for them to get over the ringworm. Your place will look even more beautiful. Love your statues. Love seeing people who decorate with the real thing too laughing02.gif
 

 

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post #16 of 22
2/4/12 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 

I realized the one I wanted was too tall! Good thing I looked at the measurements again, lol.

 

I ordered this one tonight with my dad:

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Armarkat-57-Faux-Fleece-Cat-Tree-in-Ivory-Cats/12393132

 

I think it will work well :)

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post #17 of 22
2/7/12 at 1:49am

You inspried me Draco, I made my cat tree. I don't have father who is so nice as yours.

I made mine with an old shelf I had, some brackets and put that as high as I could, in a corner of my living room That is their cubby hole( they are afraid of it right now)

 I already have a series of those plastic pipes and hammicks made out of net. So I redesigned them into a super long one that goes along one wall, with ups and downs and secured it to the wall. They come a apart and are wobblily.

I feel a kodac moment coming on, as soon as I buy one of my handy dandy throw away cameras. you guys want to see don't ya'?

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post #18 of 22
2/7/12 at 4:38am
Thread Starter 
I would love to see it! Sounds like its awesome!
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post #19 of 22
2/7/12 at 7:48am
Thread Starter 

I changed my mind again on the tree.. lol.

 

http://www.petco.com/product/113203/Trixie-DreamWorld-Alicante-Cat-Tree.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductListTopRated_Cat_4-_-Trixie%20DreamWorld%20Alicante%20Cat%20Tree-113203

 

4011905438672C.jpg?Lo0P=fdac6a70d4f7d659073d43ba9bc638316550

 

Petco, on sale for $60, free shipping. Original price $85. It's smaller (17.5"L x 17.5W" x 55.75"H)

 

A friend pointed this one out to me. it's BLACK to match my apartment (but a wise idea with white cat? lol) and smaller length/width wise to give me more walking room. The other piece would make it pretty hard for me to walk around. It has good reviews, and I will be making sure it's sturdy against the wall unit and the wall.

 

THIS is it. lol. Can't wait to set it up in a few weeks!

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post #20 of 22
2/9/12 at 2:30am

Your choice is good. Not as big and maybe better for your space.

I am in the process of taking pictures of my homemade one. Wish I had a digtal camera. But no, I have to do this the old way

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post #21 of 22
2/9/12 at 12:24pm

Mine was a $40 one from WalMart...

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post #22 of 22
2/21/12 at 7:14am

A little late, but I ordered this one  from all pet furniture and free shipping.

http://www.allpetfurniture.com/Armarkat-B7801-ATM1027.html?refid=EH&mmid=66406878&csnid=538C8352-D31C-4967-82C6-035E5860B3CA

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