Experiences with I.Life cat trees?

Just wondering as to whether anybody has had any experience with the following cat products: i.Life Cat Trees & Scratching Posts | Wayfair Australia

In particular, I'm looking at the 185cm tree (I'd have preferred the 244cm, but unfortunately, unless I want a nice big hole in the ceiling, it's not quite going to fit ). Also, there appears no way easily to inspect before purchase (on-line only). Last, the price seems almost too impressive: $219 retail; $106 purchase, which makes me a little suspicious as to the sturdiness and quality.


So, thought it would be worth checking to see whether anybody else has had any dealings with i.Life products before I went ahead, or, alternatively, what others might recommend that would be similar.

Magister said:

Just wondering as to whether anybody has had any experience with the following cat products: i.Life Cat Trees & Scratching Posts | Wayfair Australia
In particular, I'm looking at the 185cm tree (I'd have preferred the 244cm, but unfortunately, unless I want a nice big hole in the ceiling, it's not quite going to fit

). Also, there appears no way easily to inspect before purchase (on-line only). Last, the price seems almost too impressive: $219 retail; $106 purchase, which makes me a little suspicious as to the sturdiness and quality.

So, thought it would be worth checking to see whether anybody else has had any dealings with i.Life products before I went ahead, or, alternatively, what others might recommend that would be similar.

Click to expand...

I'm afraid I have no experience with this particular product. We do have quite a few members from "downunder" so hopefully my reply will bump the thread and maybe someone will add their review.

I would make definitely check the return policies with any products that you can only order online and can't inspect before purchase.

I think it's likely that this is a company which imports from China, which most of them do. This is another company with similar deals in Australia, although the one you found may be just a little cheaper.  It's a little difficult to know without seeing the quality.  But I think they might be right about the retail prices as the ones you buy in pet shops are very expensive... whether they're comparing apples with apples is hard to know.  I know I was unimpressed with the range I found in pet shops (and the prices!).

 I bought mine from a woman who has set up her own company making very sturdy, high quality trees at a good price and who designs them to suit your situation.  But she's in Brisbane.  It might be worth checking to see if there are any where you are.

Mani said:

I think it's likely that this is a company which imports from China, which most of them do.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I'd say that's very likely.

I know I was unimpressed with the range I found in pet shops (and the prices!).

Click to expand...

Exactly. I searched all over the place, and from what I could find, without exception, they were overpriced, undersized rubbish! Megapet, MyPetWarehouse, PetDirect: none had anything even approaching reasonable!


I had a look also at the Funky Cat range (funkycataustralia), but although they look very sturdy, the prices are absolutely absurd for what one gets, particularly as I wanted something at least 6' in height!

I bought mine from a woman who has set up her own company making very sturdy, high quality trees at a good price and who designs them to suit your situation.  But she's in Brisbane.  It might be worth checking to see if there are any where you are.

Click to expand...

I ended up buying the I.Life. It's far from ideal (bits look very cheap), but the base and polls are sturdy, so it may do the job. Also, should it prove necessary, it should b possible to replace the dodgiest bits (the bed cubes and house) with something hand-made, and come out still miles ahead. My main concern is that the materials might not be cat-safe. One hint of any allergic reaction from the little rumblers, and it goes straight back together with a refund claim (especially as Wayfair claim it meets all safety standards).


What irritates me most in all this is that, quite simply, every pet shop I tried have proved a monumental disaster in finding anything decent; it was all rubbish from start to finish!