For the uninitiated, cat trees are purposeful cat activity centers with in-built features like lounging spaces, scratching posts, staggered platforms, and cat caves. However, let us be frank: cat trees aren’t cute. They’re bulky, take up space, and are difficult to move, but they’re important for your feline’s enrichment and exercise for them to stay happy and healthy. When we looked up the best cat trees from Chewy, we found them to be great for giving our cats their personal space to relax and help fulfill their natural instincts for privacy, playing, scratching, and climbing. Moreover, they’re the perfect outlet for helping felines explore their natural instincts and could very well help avert any possible destructive behavioral issues.
With so many different types of cat trees available, you could find it a bit overwhelming to pick the perfect one for your cats and your home. Here’s a detailed guide to choosing these important enrichment outlets for your felines on Chewy.
Frisco 42-in Heavy Duty Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo
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We begin with the Frisco 42-in Heavy Duty Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo, one of the sturdiest cat trees we’ve ever seen. There are a lot of things we loved about the tree, starting with the fact that it was very easy to assemble, thanks to the image-led instructions and intuitive design. Despite being fairly heavy, we liked that the tree had a sturdy base and came with a set of wall anchors. No matter how rambunctious our cats were, the tree stood steady, even when all four of our felines climbed atop it.
Coming to its design, the tree had three levels, including a roomy plush bed at the top, an open platform on the second, and a cat cave at the base. Moreover, the entire tree was covered in faux fur and all three posts were covered in scratchable sisal. The best bit? There was even a dangling faux fur ball for swatting.
Pros
- There were many wide platforms and multiple scratching posts for our multiple cats.
- The cat tree is sturdy and even comes with optional wall mounts.
- Our cats loved the faux fur-covered tree and the scratch-worthy sisal.
- The padded cat bed was removable and washable.
Cons
- The cat tree is very heavy.
Trixie Lilo 48.2-in Plush Three-Story Cat Condos
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It sounds so cool when we say we have cat condos in our homes! Well, that’s exactly what the Trixie Lilo 48.2-in Plush Three-Story Cat Condos are. This three-storied stacked design had as many as three cushioned nooks for our cats to cozy up in. Since it’s designed from engineered wood and lined and wrapped with ultra-soft plush fabric, our cats absolutely loved cozying up against it. The sisal accented posts for scratching were the icing on the cake.
Since there were just five pieces to attach, it was very easy for us to assemble this cat condo in just 15 minutes. Finally, it’s very sturdy and decently sized, making it an excellent choice for our mad household with multiple cats.
Pros
- It has a three-story design.
- It’s sturdy enough to handle multiple cats.
- It has decorative appeal.
Cons
- It’s heavy, and thus cumbersome to move around.
Frisco 32-in Real Carpet Solid Wood Cat Tree with Toy
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Whoever would have thought real wood cat trees would turn out to be the best? We’re talking about the Frisco 32-in Real Carpet Solid Wood Cat Tree with Toy. This double-decker hand-built cat tree boasted solid, wood posts, ensuring durability and a sturdy feel. What’s more, it was wrapped in our cat’s favorite material for its plush and rich texture — a thick and real household-grade carpet. The two sisal scratching posts and the two levels were perfect for our feline to nap, play, and lounge on, but it was the included toy perfect for play that was the cherry on top. Finally, this is one of the very few cat trees that came completely assembled, so our kitty could hop right on, out of the box.
Pros
- The carpet-wrapped cat tree is perfect for cats to scratch on and play against.
- Thanks to the real wood construction, the tree was sturdy and durable.
- It comes in two colors.
Cons
- It’s meant only for a single-cat household.
Frisco 33-in Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo
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It’s not surprising that Frisco features multiple times on this list; that’s just how attuned this brand is to what your felines want. The Frisco 33-in Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo is another product from the brand’s able stable. The 33-inch height was perfect for our two kitties (who weigh less than 33 lbs, for reference). What’s more, it has two sisal-wrapped scratching posts that connect all three levels. On the first and second levels, there were two cute “kitty apartments,” a.k.a. hidey holes that were nicely covered in plush faux fur. A staggered perch atop the tree completed the look. What we particularly loved about the tree was that it came in two different colors, and we opted for dark charcoal to match our furniture.
“With a 4.7 rating from nearly 1,000 reviews, there was no way we weren’t going for this cat tree!”
Dizzzi
Pros
- The tree is strongly built and well-designed.
- It was very easy to put together.
- Our cats took to it immediately.
Cons
- It might be better for older cats as there’s no place to jump around.
Mau Cento 46-in Modern Wooden Cat Tree & Condo
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Cat trees can also be lifestyle towers, right? After all, our cats like to lord over us all the time. Also, whoever said that cat trees had to look ugly and couldn’t be stylish pieces of decor at home. Behold the Mau Cento 46-in Modern Wooden Cat Tree & Condo, one of the best Chewy.com cat trees for large cats. This modern, design-forward take on traditional cat trees boasts a stylish, nature-meets-minimalist aesthetic. However, what bowled us over was the fact that it could accommodate our longest cat, which weighs around 17 lbs!
With hyacinth leaf perches, faux branch posts, and a natural look, the cat tree fitted in very well with our home decor. Moreover, the twine-wrapped branches were perfectly placed for a good scratch and stretch, with the cozy faux fur-lined basket-style perches providing ideal nap support. Did you know the brand planted one new tree for each cat tree sold? Yes!
The best bit? It was fairly easy to put together too.
Pros
- It blends into almost any room’s decor.
- It’s gorgeous to look at.
- The cat tree is very easy to set up.
Cons
- It’s on the expensive side.
Frisco 72-in Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo
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Do you have a whole cat convention going on at home? The Frisco 72-in Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo is exactly what you and your felines need. This 6-ft tall tree, while having a considerable footprint, doesn’t have a difficult setup, taking about 1.25 hours to assemble. We loved the durability of this well-made product, which featured as many as seven tiers. These included three perches and two covered nooks, as well as a few dangling toys, two ramps, and quite a few sisal-wrapped scratching posts. It was perfect for our home with four large cats as this was their personal and exclusive space to exercise, play, and lounge indoors. So, if your cat likes to lord over you all the time, you know exactly what to get for them.
Pros
- It’s a multi-level structure perfect for households with multiple cats.
- It came with an optional wall mount for additional stability.
- The per-cat weight limit is high.
Cons
- None.
How To Choose The Best Cat Trees From Chewy?
Size
Always double-check the dimensions of cat trees, as many models could be disappointingly small in real life, making them suitable only for kitties or felines in the 8-10 lbs range. So, you need to ensure that your kitty won’t outgrow the tree soon. Also, pay attention to the size of any enclosed spaces, beds, etc., which could be cramped for larger felines. You should also consider the tree’s height (take one that’s at least 4 ft tall) and see that it’s spacious with multiple levels.
Safety
Safety is another important factor and one of the top priorities when choosing cat trees. Firstly, check for any parts that come off that could harm your kitty or they could ingest it. Moreover, the trees should be sturdy enough to support the total weight of all your cats. Also, you need to keep in mind that extra-tall cat trees could be prone to wobbling and tipping, which means you might need to anchor them to the wall.
Materials
While cat tree frames are usually crafted from plastic, engineered, or real wood, cats find real wood the most appealing. Since wood is a natural scratcher, it’s enticing for even the pickiest of cats. Also, consider the material that the tree portion features. For instance, carpeted cat trees come in colorful and playful styles, and are economical too. However, they do tend to trap dander, litter, and dust and shed excessively, thus quickly showing wear and creating a mess. Laminate and wood-finished trees are a great alternative, as they’re easy to clean and have options with replaceable/removable pads.
Features
Since cats like to play with different features depending on their moods, a tree with many features for playing and resting is a great idea. Some features that you might want to look for include ramps, hanging toys, scratching posts, condos, beds, and perches. Are there any features to avoid? Most cats usually dislike bridges or elements that tend to move.
Assembly
Finally, it’s important that the cat tree assembly isn’t too complicated or long. Most cat trees are shipped flat-packed, thus requiring significant assembly. While some models use screws that either twist into place easily or can be tightened with an Allen wrench, many modern designs might involve more complex assembly.
Are you looking for other stuff on Etsy? Here are some useful home decor items: Etsy radiator covers, Etsy antique rugs, and antique picture frames from Etsy to put your beloved kitty’s photos up.
How long does a cat tree typically last?
Good and well-maintained cat trees will hold up for years before they will require replacing. The lifespan is a result of the use and its durability.
How much should I spend on a cat tree?
The cost of cat trees depends heavily on the quality of materials and the size of the tree. So, while smaller cat trees could begin at USD 30 or so, larger ones with premium fabric could cost as much as USD 500.
How tall a cat tree should I get?
Cat trees need to be tall enough for your felines to get an enriched vantage point, so let them be 3-6 ft high at the minimum.
Some images in this article are copyrighted by Chewy.