If you have a cat tree, do your cats use it?

**GILL** · 08-25-2010, 03:55 PM

We have 3, 2 home made 1 I made has 5 cubbies in it, the other home made was given to us as was the commercial one. All three are always full.

**aTailOf2Kitties** · 08-25-2010, 05:23 PM

I don't have a cat tree but I did add a platform to the top of one of my 30-inch scratching posts and put a table between the 2 posts. That way they can look out the window. As far as scratching goes, some cats are very picky about carpet types. The 2 posts I got came from online but my boys didn't like the type of carpet that was on them (cut pile or shag). I knew they loved the loopy type carpet so I covered both posts in this material and they use the posts exclusively now- no scratching on furniture. I have a wavy scratcher board that has some sisal on it, but they seem to like the carpet or cardboard types better.

I'm sure that your cats will like laying and playing on the tree, but the scratch-ability is kinda up to them. If it was me I'd get a few cheap scratching posts with different materials on them before I spent a big wad of money on a tree...if scratching is the main issue for its purchase. But that's just me... and I'm cheap, LOL

**mrspunkysmom** · 08-25-2010, 05:23 PM

Ditto on all above. Most important?

Location. Location. Location.

Mine ignored their first tree until I placed it so they were the center of attention. The other smaller trees are by windows and in the center hall.

I routinely scent the trees with nip. And the sisal rope saves the furniture.

Also mine seem to like the half-pipe better than the flat surface. It's more like a box.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 08-25-2010, 06:32 PM

Thanks! It seems the answer is an overwhelming YES to a cat tree.

I haven't quite decided which one to get yet but I want it to be tall with at least 3 areas for cats to sit/lay. I have a few weeks before I can afford to buy one so hopefully I can find a good deal in that time.

**Laura's Babies** · 08-25-2010, 07:01 PM

katladyd- Can you just redo the one they wore out? I recovered my babies tree that we made them..

Pembroke_Corgi- If you have someone to help you build one you can get a lot more bang for your bucks... A lot of those electrical places have those big wooden spool they will just give away.. add a section of 4 X 4 a smaller wooden spool circle, cover and you got it! Or build what you think you need... This is one that a buddie helped me build for mine and I recently redid it.. Cost me about $100 for materials to build it.

You can see how much lighter the new sissel rope is than the old. I had carpet there and it got totally shredded so I put all sissel rope on it. That perch Giz is on is 2ft from the floor, the next one is 3ft from the floor and the other one is at window level.. I tell you right now, like they said LOCATION is everything. Put it where the sun shines in at least part of the day.

**katladyd** · 08-25-2010, 09:26 PM

[QUOTE=Laura's Babies;2292220]katladyd- Can you just redo the one they wore out? I recovered my babies tree that we made them..

Pembroke_Corgi- If you have someone to help you build one you can get a lot more bang for your bucks... A lot of those electrical places have those big wooden spool they will just give away.. add a section of 4 X 4 a smaller wooden spool circle, cover and you got it! Or build what you think you need... This is one that a buddie helped me build for mine and I recently redid it.. Cost me about $100 for materials to build it.

It is not the scratching material that concerns me, that is worn, but I know it can be replaced. I just have a 20 lb. Ming jumping and climbing on it all the time. The screws are so loose they can no longer be tightened. The darn thing tips all the time. I want a brand new one, anyway. I've had this one for about 8 years now. But thanks for the suggestion.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 08-26-2010, 12:39 AM

I bought my 7' cat tree on ebay as well as the similar smaller looking one that I put next to it. The rest I either bought at cat shows,Big Lots, or pet stores. Here are a few old pictures of them. I've had the 7' cat tree since Jan.2003 and I got the smaller similar looking one a little while after that. Both are still going strong. I've only had to add some sisal rope to them.

**Freedom** · 08-26-2010, 07:53 AM

I wanted to add: YOU are going to enjoy this as well. Nothing more entertaining than watching a cat watching the world go by. Those ears twitch and flick, turn this way and that. And the moment something grabs kitty's attention, everything seems to just STOP!

And of course, nothing more amusing and calming that observing your kitty enjoying a sunbeam, lol.