The 10 Best Cat Trees
This wiki has been updated 20 times since it was first published in February of 2015. If your house is ruled by a furry feline, make sure it stays entertained and comfortable with one of these cat trees. They provide large and small cats with enough towers, sleeping areas, and scratching posts to, hopefully, stop kitty from clawing your furniture -- or worse, your legs. Just try not to be too jealous when you realize your pet has a nicer sleeping space than you. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. If you'd like to contribute your own research to the Wiki, please get started by reviewing this introductory video.
Editor's Notes
January 31, 2020:
Our latest round of updates saw the removal of the Kitty Mansions Redwood, Molly and Friends Simple Sleeper, and K&H Hangin' Cat. The Redwood is still a solid choice, but does not have much to differentiate it from the rest of the list other than some included faux vines, which while decorative, are not ideal for curious chewers. The Molly and Friends became unavailable, and the Hangin' Cat, which has a design meant to save space, is still rather bulky, makes a lot of noise, and runs the risk of being opened into a wall while kitties are inside.
We took the opportunity to recommend three solid replacements. First is an introductory-level option, the Trixie Original Baza. Its low price tag makes it an ideal selection to bring home before investing in more expensive units. If your kitty likes this one, she'll likely appreciate more elaborate ones down the line. It also has a small footprint that makes it suitable for apartments and bedrooms.
Also joining the ranks today is the Vesper V-High, a piece that's as high quality as it is attractive. As most of the trees on this list (and in general) are not exactly interior-design friendly, we thought this addition would complement our other elegant choice, the Refined Feline Lotus, but at a lower price. Finally, we added the New Cat Condos Premier, a hardy, American-made model with strong, reliable parts. Pet owners who want to avoid particle board and MDF will appreciate this one. It also has a tiered design that is fun for cats while not being overly challenging, so it's forgiving for bigger and older kitties.
Keeping indoor cats stimulated is crucial to their happiness and health. Trees like these, engaging toys, laser pointers, balls, and cat grass are all great items to have around to create an environment that mimics the outdoors. It's also advisable to place your tree in front of a window, as cats are known sunbathers and love to watch what's going on outside.
Special Honors
Tuft + Paw Milo Ideal for multi-cat households, the elaborate, handmade Milo is built to last a lifetime. It features two covered treehouses, a unique crystal hammock, two perches, and two slide-like scratching posts upholstered in a durable carpet fiber. It's crafted from natural birch plywood, features animal-friendly curved corners for safety, and covered with a white UV coating so you can leave it in the sun. tuftandpaw.com
Neko Modern Notably expensive, the Neko Modern is an artfully designed piece that uses premium materials. Its three wooden perches are surrounded by a see-through outer structure that can be opened like a door for maintenance. All of its wooden parts come from Japanese forests and include oak, beech, and maple. The Greek marble base helps the cat regulate body temperature and provides a low center of gravity to stabilize the tree, and the posts are covered in replaceable Japanese hemp. rinn.com