We have always had cats in our household. Although I cannot imagine our living room without a cat tree today, I know our cats thrived without one.
Cat trees provide opportunities to scratch, stretch, climb, rest, hide, and play. Cats can do just fine without a cat tree but they need to have other items that fulfill the functions of a cat tree. Alternatives to a cat tree include cat perches or shelves, and a separate scratching pole, which can be designed at home.
WHY CATS LOVE CAT TREES
Cat Trees Provide a Setting to Act on Instinct
Most cats enjoy sitting high up on something, such as cabinets, doors, or trees. Climbing a tree is an instinctive behavior since cats are both predators and prey. Being high up on a tree makes the cat unreachable but allows him or her to see everything.
Having a tall kitty tree at home provides a sense of security and a cat’s own space. It also allows the cat to act on his or her automatic behaviors. For that reason, most cats gravitate toward cat trees or items that serve the same function.
Cats Use Trees to Stretch and Scratch
Most cat trees are tall enough for the cat to have a perfect stretching post, which is essential for cats.
Cat trees usually also provide something to scratch on. If you are buying a tree that does not provide a scratching opportunity, you can wrap natural sisal rope around a part of the tree. Make sure it is at a level high enough for the cat to stretch while scratching.
Cat Trees Provide Entertainment and a Place for Energy Release
If you know cats, then you are well aware that these independent animals love to observe things from above. Tall elaborate trees are expensive but they are worth the investment in the sense that your cat is more likely to enjoy a multi-level tall tree.
Having a vertical space to climb is valuable to felines. Being able to watch from above is entertaining for most cats on its own but many trees also have pendants, feathers, or other toys attached. Cats love such toys.
If you are creative, you can also decorate the tree with toys, especially if you know what your kitty enjoys the most.
Safe Personal and Resting Space
If you have a couple of cats, they will probably share a cat tree. Other than that, a cat tree is the cat’s retreat space.
Felines can hide for rest from their human family or other household pets, especially dogs. Even if your kitty feels perfectly safe and content at home, escaping to his or her tree might add a sense of autonomy and security, which is something cats value so much.
HOW TO CHOOSE A CAT TREE
First of all, cats are known to be opinionated and unpredictable for a reason, and that applies to how they like or dislike things for a reason that may not be apparent to us. That is why I always purchase new trees from sellers that allow returns. That said, I have only had to return a tree because it did not seem large enough, not because the cat did not want to use it.
Recognizing that cat trees can get expensive and your family’s budget might be the deciding factor, we will look at some other important characteristics when choosing a cat tree.
Determine What Size Is Appropriate for Your Cat or Cats
Your cat tree does not have to be large but it needs to be appropriate for your cat and for the number of kitties you have.
Most cats will utilize any cat tree but, from our experience, one large, fun-to-explore tree is a better option than a couple of basic ones.
Vertical Space, Several Shelves
Cat trees replicate the experience of climbing an actual, real tree outdoors because they provide vertical space! Many shelves at different levels are a lovely feature your cat will most likely greatly appreciate. For that reason, a large, multi-level cat tree is a good option.
The Tree Needs to Be Sturdy
Unless your cat is old and dignified, the tree should not move or fall over easily.
Our cats chase each other and they all weigh quite a bit, so we have been purchasing trees that are heavy and have a large surface on the floor for support. Our smaller tree has fallen on occasion, so we kept it away from windows.
Other Features
In addition to the number of shelves and the height of the team, consider other features:
- Toys incorporated into the design
- Availability of at least one long pole for stretching and scratching
- Sisal rope is a must but don’t dismiss a good tree if it does not have a rope. You can easily wrap a part of the tree with it.
- A covered shelve, or a house, is nice to have since cats love being in contained, private, spaces
WHAT ITEMS CAN REPLACE A CAT TREE IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE
Although most cats love cat trees, a tree is not the main component of your pet’s well-being, and other things can replicate the functions of a cat tree.
As a rule, cats enjoy being able to escape and be unreachable but able to see things from above. So it is nice if your cat can get up on some shelves or cabinets to rest or observe. It is especially important if you also have dogs or other pets that the kitty likes to get away from on occasion.
Window perch or wall perch designed specifically for cats can be an excellent alternative to a cat tree. These items address both the need to climb and the need to watch from a safe spot above.
This wall perch is a sturdy, wide shelf, so you can get a couple of them from Amazon or another seller and position them in a way that makes sense for your cat’s size and energy levels.
You can wrap sisal material around a leg of a table to provide a scratching post. If your cat seems to prefer a sofa or carpet for scratching, then use a similar material to wrap around some vertical object. Alternatively, you could get a manufactured tall scratching post for your kitty.
As for the toy/entertainment function, there are so many opportunities in this realm! All our animals seem to have different preferences when it comes to the choice of toys. Certainly, not having a cat tree is not equal to not having enough toys for entertainment.
