The Very Best Heavy Duty Cat Tree
Table of Contents
Heavy Duty Cat Tree
A cat tree or cat condo from Huge Maine Coon Cattery is an excellent way to make your home both more inviting and more exciting for your kitty — especially if they’re an exclusively indoor cat. “Heavy Duty Cat Tree are great because they allow your cat to climb and observe what’s going on in their environment, it provides them with a safe place that’s entirely theirs, and it’s a scratching surface as well,” says cat-behavior consultant Dr. Mikel Delgado. If your cat is constantly shredding your couch, perching on your counter, or clawing up your curtains, it may be worth investing in a piece of furniture dedicated to letting them act on their natural instincts. Below, I’ve consulted with multiple veterinarians and cat experts on what makes a great Heavy Duty Cat Tree , to help ensure that it doesn’t become a futile expense for a disinterested feline friend. And on that last note, I’ve also assembled or installed some of our recommendations and presented them to actual feline testers so that I could observe firsthand testing by the cats themselves.
What we’re looking for in a perfect Heavy Duty Cat Tree
Height
Aesthetic
If you’re not a fan of the look of traditional cat trees with bland beige carpeting, there are plenty of good-looking, design-forward cat trees out there — just ask Kate Benjamin, founder of the stylish cat-gear website Hauspanther. “There’s a lot of different looks that can work with different décor. There’s some darker woods that work with more traditional interiors. There’s a lot of white and gray that looks good in modern and contemporary homes. There’s super fun, eclectic things like cat trees that have fake leaves,” Benjamin says. “My take on it is you can either find something that matches your décor, so it just blends in seamlessly, or you can find something that really stands out, like a conversation piece.”
Heavy Duty Cat Tree Construction
Most cat trees are constructed from hardy structural materials like plywood or corrugated cardboard, then covered in a textured fabric like carpet or sisal. When shopping for a cat tree, look for one that’s durable, well-built, and can withstand some roughhousing. “Stability is really important. It may need a really big base, or you might be able to attach the top to the wall,” Benjamin says, and Delgado agrees: “It should not tip over or wiggle too easily because cats are going to jump on it and play and they don’t want feel like they’re going to get knocked over.” You also want to make sure that it’s “easily cleanable — you can vacuum or wipe it down,” advises Dr. Brian Evans, veterinarian and clinical director at Dutch, a 24/7 online vet-care service. And though the look of sleek, sculptural wooden cat trees may be tempting, function should always come before form: “If it’s too slick, like if it’s just really beautiful wood, they’re not gonna be able to grab onto that and climb. So make sure that there is enough texture, that it’s going to be a functional tree for them,” Dr. Evans says.
Features
Many Heavy Duty Cat Tree come equipped with a host of features to entice your kitty. Some have built-in scratching posts to give your cat traction for climbing and something to sharpen their claws on; some have little cubbies or hidey-holes (a must if your cat prefers to be covered rather than out in the open); some have fluffy feathers or balls for your cat to bat around. Think about what you already own and what you know your cat is interested in — if you already have a separate scratching post, or a pile of cat toys that often go untouched, such add-ons may not be necessary.
Best Heavy Duty Cat Tree overall
Frisco Modern Cat Tree & Condo – 47.5″
Height: 47.5 inches tall | Aesthetic: Traditional design | Construction: Wood, sisal | Features: Scratching post, cubby, rope toy
When former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson went shopping for a cat tree for her cat Lovey, she had a few nonnegotiable criteria in mind. It had to have “multiple levels for lounging and surfaces to scratch. It also had to be somewhat decent-looking and preferably not made of cardboard, which she would shred in minutes. And I wanted it to have some height,” Adelson writes. This Frisco tree that ticked all her boxes: “Just shy of four feet tall, it would let Lovey get up high enough to feel safe but not overwhelm the space, and it had durable sisal scratching posts, a fluffy white carpet lining the top perch, and an enclosed cubby for lounging.” Adelson was able to assemble it herself in less than an hour, and Lovey immediately took to it, “jumping from level to level, exploring her new digs, before ultimately settling on the top perch.”
Intrigued by Adelson’s endorsement, I tested the tree out for myself — or rather, for my roommate’s cat, Harry. Assembly was quick and straightforward, and though we did have to rearrange some furniture to make space, the tree occupied a fairly minimal footprint in the corner of our living room — about the same stature as a flourishing fiddle-leaf fig. After an initial cautious inspection, Harry gladly took advantage of the rope toy and the scratching posts. Since he’s more of a lounger than a leaper, he had a bit of trouble jumping onto the middle and top tiers, but for a more athletically inclined kitty, the platforms likely won’t pose a problem. I placed the tree in front of a window, and once Harry had settled comfortably into his perch, he seemed to like lording over the passersby on the street.
Best Heavy Duty Cat Tree for multiple cats
Frisco XXL Heavy Duty Cat Tree – 76″
Height: 76 inches tall | Aesthetic: Traditional design | Construction: Wood, sisal, faux fleece | Features: Scratching post, cubbies, ball toy
According to McKeon, if you have multiple cats, you want a tree that has “lots of hidey-holes so that everybody has some space that they can share and switch off.” Ideally, you would get multiple trees so that each cat has their own territory, but if you can’t spare that kind of space, then a tree with several nooks and crannies is the way to go. This heavy-duty Frisco cat condo has six different platforms and two cubbies; since it’s furnished with hammocks, flat open spaces, and sheltered holes, all your cats can enjoy it no matter what kind of lounging spot they prefer.
Best cat tree for kittens
Armarkat Classic Real Wood Heavy Duty Cat Tree – Silver Gray
Height: 78 inches tall | Aesthetic: Traditional design | Construction: Faux fur, press board | Features: Scratching post, cubby, rope toy, rope ladder
Young, spry kittens have a lot of energy and may benefit from cat trees that challenge by requiring them to perform a variety of maneuvers. “There are various trees that are almost connected by extremes,” says Dr. Evans. “They have to walk across ladders and do big acrobatic things to get around. As much as you can encourage the chaos for these kittens, the better for them.” This Armarkat tree, which is approved by cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy (of My Cat From Hell fame), is equipped with an assortment of obstacles; kittens can bat at the hanging toys, scamper up the rope ladder, balance in the hammock, or leap through the air to reach the farthest perch. The tree is championed by Benjamin, who likes it for its “modern and streamlined look.”
Best cat tree for senior cats
Tangkula Multi-Level Heavy Duty Cat Tree with Scratching Posts and Ladder – 36″
Height: 36 inches tall | Aesthetic: House design | Construction: Faux fur, particleboard | Features: Scratching post, cubby, ramp
Unlike kittens, senior cats may not be quite so thrilled at the idea of having to perform feats of gymnastics to access their favorite resting spot. If your feline friend is on the older side, look for a cat tree that’s lower to ground, “has platforms that are not as far apart, and more soft places to lounge,” says Benjamin. This 36-inch-tall cat tree isn’t too complicated, is lined all over with plush faux fleece for maximum coziness, and comes with a nice gentle ramp, in case your cat has trouble with jumping or climbing. It’s also a good choice for cats who are a bit heavier or just have a more laid-back personality.
Best modern cat tree
MAU Modern Cat Tree Tower
Height: 46 inches tall | Aesthetic: Modern design | Construction: Wood, wicker | Features: Basket perch, cave, ball toy
Michelle Humphrey, owner of “catfluencer” Rosie, wanted a sleek, chic Heavy Duty Cat Tree that would be a good-looking addition to her space. This Mau tree came up in her search because “the brand has some really beautiful images” on its Instagram: “They just look really clean and elevated,” Humphrey says. Of course, just because a cat tree is aesthetically appealing doesn’t mean your cat will use it, but according to Humphrey, Rosie took to the tree like a duck to water. “She’s obsessed with it. She seems to gravitate toward the basket design — she’s always napping and cuddling up in them,” Humphrey says. “I think she feels really snug and secure.” The tree shows little wear and tear even after a year of use, with next to no fraying or shedding, and its sturdy design means Rosie can easily claw her way to the top to look out the window and observe “the birds, squirrels, and people walking by.”
