Cats · Product picks
The Best Cat Trees
The Armarkat Classic Cat Tree B6802 is our top pick. See four researched cat trees and how to choose by size, stability, weight limit and materials.
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A cat tree gives your cat a place to climb, scratch and rest. The Armarkat Classic Cat Tree B6802 is our top pick for most homes because it is tall, has many levels, and lists a 60 lb weight limit. Below are three more picks for other needs.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Armarkat Classic Cat Tree B6802
- Best wood cat tree: Armarkat Premium Pinus Sylvestris Wood Cat Tree S5103
- Best for large cats: Armarkat Cat Tree for Indoor Cats B4109A
- Best for kittens and small spaces: Armarkat Premium Cat Tree X2905
The best cat trees
Cat trees
Armarkat Classic Cat Tree B6802
Best for: Homes that want a tall, full-size tree
This 68-inch tree has six levels, a two-door condo, two perches and ten sisal-wrapped posts, according to Armarkat. The page lists a 60 lb weight capacity. It needs a floor space of about 22 by 22 inches, so skip it if your room is tight.
- Pro: Six levels, including a condo and two perches
- Pro: Ten sisal-wrapped posts, each 3.5 inches wide
- Pro: Listed weight capacity of 60 lbs
- Con: Needs about 22 by 22 inches of floor space
- Con: Pressed wood and faux fleece, not solid wood
Cat trees
Armarkat Premium Pinus Sylvestris Wood Cat Tree S5103
Best for: Owners who want a natural wood look
This tree is made of Scots pine wood and has a double-layered base, which the maker says adds stability. It has four levels with a playhouse, a perch and a hammock. It is 51 inches tall, so skip it if you want a very tall tree.
- Pro: Scots pine wood with a double-layered base
- Pro: Four levels with a playhouse, perch and hammock
- Pro: Listed weight capacity of 60 lbs
- Con: Needs assembly with the included tools
- Con: Shorter than the tallest trees
Cat trees
Armarkat Cat Tree for Indoor Cats B4109A
Best for: Big cats and small rooms
Armarkat lists this 41-inch tree for up to 75 lbs, the highest limit in this guide. It has two wide platforms and a top perch on a 24 by 20 inch base. Skip it if you want a tall tree with many levels.
- Pro: Listed weight capacity of 75 lbs
- Pro: Two roomy platforms and a top perch
- Pro: Compact 24 by 20 inch base
- Con: Only 41 inches tall
- Con: The product page doesn't list assembly details
Cat trees
Armarkat Premium Cat Tree X2905
Best for: Kittens and very small cats
This small tree is 30 inches tall with a 16 by 16 inch base, three scratching posts and faux fur perches. Armarkat lists a 15 lb weight capacity. It suits kittens or a very small cat, and most adult cats will outgrow it.
- Pro: Small 16 by 16 inch footprint
- Pro: Three scratching posts with faux fur perches
- Pro: Comes with step-by-step instructions and tools
- Con: Listed weight capacity is only 15 lbs
- Con: Too small for most adult cats
How to choose a cat tree
Pick a stable tree
The ASPCA says cats want a post that won’t shift or fall over when they use it. Look for a wide base and check the weight limit on the product page. If you have more than one cat, think about how much weight could be on the tree at once. Check the screws every so often. Armarkat’s page for its Classic B6605 tree says screws need regular tightening, and the same habit makes sense for any tree.
Think about height
Cornell Feline Health Center says a scratching post should be at least as tall as your cat standing on their hind legs with front legs stretched out. Measure your cat, then measure your room. Check the floor space too, since taller trees often have wider bases.
Look at the scratching surfaces
The ASPCA says cats have their own likes. Some prefer vertical scratching and others prefer horizontal. They may also like different materials, such as sisal, carpet, wood or cardboard. Sisal rope is a common choice on trees. If your cat ignores one surface, try another.
Check materials
Three of these trees use pressed wood with fleece or faux fur covers. The fourth is made of Scots pine wood. Read the product page for the model you pick.
Choose a spot
The ASPCA suggests putting scratching posts where your cat likes to spend time. Putting one next to furniture your cat already scratches can give them a better place to scratch.
Safety tips
- Check the weight limit. Don’t go over the limit listed by the maker.
- Look for wobble. Shake the tree after you build it. If it moves, tighten the screws or move it to a flat floor.
- Tighten screws now and then. Loose screws can make a tree wobble.
- Replace broken trees. A shredded surface is fine, since many cats prefer it, according to the ASPCA. A wobbly or cracked tree is not.
- Follow the instructions. Assemble the tree with the tools and instructions that come with it.
Common questions
How tall should a cat tree be?
Cornell says a scratching post should be at least as tall as your cat standing on their hind legs with front legs stretched out. A taller tree gives your cat more room to climb.
Do cats need a sturdy cat tree?
Yes. The ASPCA says cats want a post that does not shift or fall over when used. Check the weight limit on the product page.
What should a cat tree be made of?
The ASPCA says cats like different scratching surfaces, such as sisal, carpet, wood and cardboard. Sisal-wrapped posts are common on cat trees.
Should I throw away a scratched-up cat tree?
Not right away. The ASPCA notes that cats often prefer shredded surfaces because they can sink their claws in. Replace a tree that is wobbly or broken.