Excellent cat tree
We bought this cat tree 9 years ago after a previous tree broke in an “incident”, and it has been fantastic for us. We specifically chose this model because there is not a straight line post-over-post in one corner — it is offset midway, so they have to shift over and can’t hang from the top. Things I most appreciate about this model: - The tall scratching sisal posts really allow for a good stretch, minimizing our furniture being used for that. And the posts hold up well, but you can buy individual replacements when needed (or rotate worn ones with less used posts). - The balanced post positioning keeps it from being tippy. - The two mid-level smaller steps allow our less agile cat to go from level to level and not have to do a big jump (I’ve had cats who couldn’t get to the next level of a tree before, and wanted the accessibility). It’s a great combination with tall posts. They get used a lot and are ready to be replaced due to wear (we swapped the lower one with the upper to buy some time). - The step and level arrangement also allows for more sharing, as we didn’t want one cat to feel trapped and unable to easily get down if overwhelmed. They need to be able to get around each other. - The hut — which some reviews suggest is too small for an adult cat, is THE spot for one of our adult cats. She isn’t a tiny cat, but she’s not a chonker like her sister, and she craves warmth and a snuggle. She curls up in it on any sunny morning, leaning against the flexible curved side, getting up every so often to rotate and nestle in again. We turned the opening angled toward the window for the sunshine. If you ever can’t find that cat, she’s usually in her hut, secluded from sight, but still in the listening zone. Turning the opening opposite from the step also means she can nap while her sister goes up the other side and doesn’t bother her at all. - The durability is great, and being able to order replacement parts. After nine years, we are about ready for the two smaller shelves and two or three posts to be replaced. What a bargain, when you leverage the cost over time (so glad they care about quality!). Things I could do without: - The rope on the third level is unnecessary, so we just removed it (actually just bolted it under the shelf, so there wouldn’t be fabric holes there that could get clawed). The big shelf is awesome, otherwise. They ought to provide bolts with caps to attach from both sides to just hold that area tight, or skip the rope. Our cats both love to just look out over the yard from that shelf, to take a bath and stretch out. Sometimes one cat is in the hut while the other cat stretches out above, and it’s high enough that they can’t reach down to pester the sleeping cat. - The hammock that hangs under level two, we tried it and it’s too wiggly, awkward, and small (maybe nice for kittens), the cats did not go for it. We removed that, too. The ground level gets used much for the scratching posts (which they love and need that long stretch) and for interactive play, like stalk the red light. The previous tree we had was this same company, and similar height, but had a box house with two openings, which was a hit, but one of the cats liked to climb straight up to the top shelf using the corner posts really fast like it was a tree trunk, and the whole unit would sway as they reached the top. We tried rotating it, but that made both box openings not face the windows at all. Well, one day it fell backward from their momentum and snapped the top level off as it hit the couch—the post tore the carpeting and busted the shelf plywood from the box hut roof. The cats were pretty scared, but luckily no injuries and no other damage. Rather than simply get replacement parts (it had seen some additional wear), we went with this stable model for their particular needs for where it’s positioned (near a window, no way to affix a tipping bracket). The old model went to the basement, shorter with the top post and shelf removed, a carpet remnant on the roof, and a replacement post installed down lower. This model wins over that one heavily due to stability, not due to the extras like rope and hammock.