FEANDREA Cat Tree, Cat Tower, Widened Perch for Large Cats, Light Grey PCT51W

Product Information

Once your cat is 11 years or older they are considered seniors, and may begin to suffer more limited mobility. As much as 93 percent of cats show evidence of osteoarthritis or joint degeneration on X-rays. Cats can be very good at hiding pain, but signs to look out for include difficulty jumping on to furniture, irritability, and less flexibility when grooming. By identifying the features your cat is most likely to use, you can narrow down your search. For example, if you hope a cat tree will alleviate furniture scratching, then scratchers should be an obvious priority. Similarly, if you have multiple cats, you'll want to select a cat tree that includes duplicates of some features. A cat tree with a narrow top perch might become a permanent battle for king of the hill—better to find a cat tree with multiple elevated spots, so all of your cats can feel like royalty. While several of our favorite cat trees have removable pads and other surfaces, machine washable features are much more rare. For removable items, your best approach is to typically to hand wash them in the sink and allow them to air dry fully before replacing them on the cat tree. The Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo has a whopping 10 scratching posts, two condos, and three high-up perches. Crucially, while there is a single, highest perch, there are two additional perches that are nearly as elevated, so multiple cats will be less likely to constantly fight over a single perch. As the name would suggest, this cat tree towers at 6-feet high, satisfying your cat's instincts to attain the high ground to observe their surroundings. Our testers also liked that the Feandrea Cat Tree was compact, taking up a lot less space in a tiny apartment than taller cat trees with larger footprints. Testers found it to be consistently sturdy too, even with cats jumping in and out of the playhouses.

Our Whisker Cat Tower is still as indestructible and unchanged as when we first set it up several months ago. It's hard to imagine a more durable alternative. The only real downside is the assembly, which requires a Phillips screwdriver, hammer, and an electric drill with two different drill bit sizes. While the results were worth it, we did spend nearly two frustrating hours getting it together. After that, you can customize even further with optional parts and accessories, like a platform with a built-in food bowl, or replacement sisal scratch pads. Most platform accessories, like the cushions and scratchers, are secured to the platforms with velcro-like strips, making it easy to swap out replacements or remove cushions for cleaning. As previously mentioned, I would go for a cat tower which is at least 100cm in height. Materials of the cat tower The majority of cat play towers come covered in furry type material, this is generally there for comfort as well as for grip when climbing.The Catit Vesper High Base cat tree is available in three different colors. There are also a wide range of smaller and alternative designs in the Vesper line. We had two cats try out the On2Pets Modern Cat Tree, and both of them loved the combination of perch and hiding spot provided by the foliage—"it seems to make them feel more in touch with their wild instincts," our tester noted. Our cats also loved the artificial turf base, and, despite using it as an occasionally scratch pad, we've yet to notice any wear and tear. Scratching Posts: Fully stretching to access scratching surfaces is excellent exercise for older cats. The Vesper High Base is named for its top observation platform, which is 47.8 inches off the ground—a maximum height usefully in between more compact and much larger cat trees. Beneath the top platform is a "cubed den" middle level, a lower cushioned platform, and the 22.1-inch square base, which provides access to all four wrapped pillars for scratching. Rather than the more commonly found sisal, the posts on the High Base are wrapped in seagrass, which is generally regarded as softer and more stain-resistant. While your cats will love scratching it, there's a good likelihood that you'll need to re-wrap the legs of the Vesper High Base sooner than you would with a sisal alternative. Annoyingly, this does not help for hygiene and generally, most cat towers are not washable. To get around this, every so often you use an odour and stain remover on the tree, however, try not to do this too frequently, as cats rely on having their own scent on items to feel secure.

The Whisker Cat Tower was the sturdiest of any cat tree we tested, and it still looks brand new after more than a year of two fully-grown cats scratching and jumping all over it. It's got broad sisal scratching surfaces, and comes with a cat bed that slots perfectly into the bottom of four carpeted platforms. The Feandrea Cat Tree for Large Cats boasts two "condo playhouses"—which provide enclosed spaces for your cats to hide, play, and nap—in addition to the perch on top. The higher of the two condos includes two exits/entrances, so that your cat can zoom through on their way to a different platform, or simply have a place to hide where they don't feel cornered. Between the two condos, the base, and the top perch, there are four different elevation levels available on a cat tree that's only 33-inches high. It’s important to find a cat tree that offers enough space for your cat, or else they may feel less likely to use it. It needs to have ample space for them to turn around and settle down. Firstly, make sure the tree is placed in a location that is easily accessible and appealing to the cat, preferably near their favorite resting spots,” Fadl told The Spruce Pets. You can encourage their interest by placing treats or toys on the tree. Additionally, you may want to consider a cat tree with different features or designs that might be more appealing to your senior cat's preferences. Cats who love hiding will appreciate the cubed den (which has another removable memory foam pad inside), and there's an entrance on either side, so they won't feel trapped. But while we think the Vesper High Base is an excellent all-around cat tree for most cats, we wouldn't recommend it for older cats, since there are no ramps and the cubed den requires a dexterous little leap to enter.We particularly like the 22 by 16-inch top perch, which is plenty roomy for large cats. It's also got a cushioned rim for long naps. Combined with the two "condo playhouses," the Feandrea Cat Tree offers several different hiding, napping, and lounging zones well-suited to seniors. It also splits its perches across four different levels across a total height of 33 inches, which means that it's easy for cats to climb between the different elevations. While the rotating perches lets you turn the Tuft & Paw Frond Cat Tree into a new challenge every day, the perches are limited a little by their size, since they aren't really large enough for naps. This is more of an active cat tree, suitable for high-altitude surveillance more than snoozing. Not only will it save you a lot of money in the long run, if they get used to it from a kitten they will be more inclined to use it throughout their whole life.

Finally, our testers observed how their cats interacted with the tree over a two-week period. They noted any wear-and-tear, while also recording which features of the tree their cats used and didn't use. The Frond's perches are plywood with an ash veneer, and are shaped like petals, with curves that make it look more like curio shelves than a cat toy. However, the Frond also isn't trying to disguise what it is—it looks like a cat tree, just an attractive one. Plus, it's easy to assemble and finds a nice middle ground size, with a 24-inch diameter base and a height an inch over four feet tall. Many cat trees will arrive a lot smaller than expected or will be flimsy and unsuitable for a big cat. When shopping online it is hard to know which large cat tower to buy, which is why I have put together our favourite large cat scratching posts to make the decision easier.A common mistake and one which I have previously made myself when getting a kitten is buying a tree for its current size. This article was written by Steven Asarch, a freelance writer and product expert, for The Spruce. A devout cat dad of two, he has expert experience figuring out which products are perfect for them.Steven has previously analyzed testing data, tried out products at home, and provided recommendations for other categories of cat products, including catnip toys, wand toys, litter disposal systems, and also wrote an exhaustive list of the essentials you should have before welcoming a new kitten into your home. In our testing, the Cat Activity Tree didn't shake at all while in use, and its components fit together well. While we're always wary of the relative durability of carpeted cat trees, the seven different scratching posts should keep your cats claws in the right place.