cat trees

I am consdering building a cat tree for my two cats.

But before I go through the expense / work involved, I'd like to know if most cats enjoy cat trees.

Do your cats use cat trees at all?
Is there any particular design that cats seem to prefer? (lots of places to hide? or a more open design?)

Is it worth it?

I'm sure it all depends a lot on the individual cat... but if you could let me know how your cats react to a cat tree, it'll give me an idea of what to expect.

My cats use their cat tree on a daily basis so I'd say it's worth it. My kitten loves to climb the sisal rope covered posts. Both of my cats also enjoy lounging/sleeping on the top tiers (there are two of them). They also enjoy playing with the dangling toy that hangs from the tree. They ocassionally are found sleeping in the box. Oh and of course, cats like height so I'd say that is important too.

It really depends each cat. Charlotte won't climb the posts simply because she is 4-paw declawed (and that was done well before I adopted her).

Here's a picture of one I purchased. Now you can visually see what I'm referring to.

Originally Posted by marie-p

I am consdering building a cat tree for my two cats.

But before I go through the expense / work involved, I'd like to know if most cats enjoy cat trees.

Do your cats use cat trees at all?
Is there any particular design that cats seem to prefer? (lots of places to hide? or a more open design?)

Is it worth it?

I'm sure it all depends a lot on the individual cat... but if you could let me know how your cats react to a cat tree, it'll give me an idea of what to expect.

Click to expand...

IMHO yes, Jasper is on his every single day, he prefers the top platform just to hang out, but likes to play in the tunnels the best. I am getting ready to try and build on as well, the only thing holding me back is where to find the "tunnel" material as his tree has the small 12" tunnels and he need the larger size. Also if you build it yourself it will be more sturdy and you can look at some to get an idea of what plan you like, size...etc. I bought the one he has now on ebay and he has outgrown it, plus my husband had to put a brace on the tall platform side to keep it stable and to keep it from tipping when he runs and JUMPS on it! The only thing I would suggest is that if you have more than ONE cat, make more than ONE "top" platform or they might fight over who gets it! Your cat/cats will love you for it, oh and wrap some of the upright posts in sisal rope, good for kitty, and good for your furnature too!Good luck, maybe you could post a picture for us to see when you get finished!

I just bought a tree for my two new kittens and they both love it. The one I picked is all open, so I also bought a little cubby hole box for one of the ledges. So far they've both ignored the cubby. They seem to like the highest ledge best. This also works as a great place for feeding them away from my piggy pug dog! I paid $149 and I think it is well worth the money. They are having so much fun with it that I will probably buy (or build) more for variety.

My cats ALL LOVE their tree. It took a few days for them to warm up to it. cause it was odd and didnt smell like the house.but now there is always someone on it. as i type there are three kittens wrestling on it. They wrestle and jump and climb and play and scratch

I got mine on ebay for around $50 with shipping.

Aragorn playing with the toy...

full shot of the tree with the babies on it.

My cats have a tree that I am replacing. It had 2 platforms and a cubby hole, but one cat that I had ate the rug and I had to take the platforms down but the cats still have the 3 feet cubby box and I am expecting an new one this weekend. My cats love the sissal on the cat trees, and one of my cats love to play in the cubbies, my other cat loves to lay on the top of the tree. I would recommend a tall one and sissal is great for cats to scratch on. IF your cats or one of your cats love to climb in things a tree with a little cube , would be great. I just know that cat trees/furniture is a must.

I love those pics Scamper.

I too ordered one from ebay - with shipping =- $43.00.

It is to arrive tomorrow! I'll post after she checks it out.

I think she will like it...there's a perch for window gazing, a cubby for sleeping (she likes to hide) and lotsa rope for her good paw to get a claw workout. Heck, she likes everything I ever get her actually...and will eat anything as well.

Originally Posted by CDubbie

I love those pics Scamper.

I too ordered one from ebay - with shipping =- $43.00.

It is to arrive tomorrow! I'll post after she checks it out.

I think she will like it...there's a perch for window gazing, a cubby for sleeping (she likes to hide) and lotsa rope for her good paw to get a claw workout. Heck, she likes everything I ever get her actually...and will eat anything as well.

Click to expand...

Thanks i am partial to those pics too, lol and I LOVE our perch from Armkat cant wait to see pics of yours! and hope she likes it..Ours LOVE theirs, LOL

The cat tree I have is also made by Armarkat and I bought off of Ebay.

Our 2 kitties love our cat tree. Someone is always on the top tier snoozing if it's nap time. They tend to not hang out in the round part, but they like to pop out of it and swat at the one sitting on the top tier. I think it was a very worthwhile investment. Ours is 5' tall. We spent $65 USD for ours at Costco.

We made ours and the cats LOVE it.....

http://public.fotki.com/bobbie0253/r.../dsc_3625.html

Bobbie

Three of my four (Meeko, Phineas and Henry) love the cat tree - there's usually at least one of them up there at any given time. Esmeralda has never used it, she's very, well, lazy, to be honest, and hates to jump or climb, so that didn't come as a surprise. Mine love the flat platforms and the little 'house'. Here's my tree, I paid I think $150 for it.

I only have one cat, so I just bought a window perch...

But let me tell you how quickly it became a regular part of her life!

After setting it up, I came back into the kitchen to think about how I could "introduce" it to her and how I could "entice" her to start using it. I decided to spray it with catnip mist and then leave treats on the platform to encourage exploration.

Well...five minutes later I walked back to the perch and found her fast asleep on it. That's how quick she acclimated and Nano now spends about 12-16 hours a day either sleeping on the perch or "standing guard" as she looks out the window.