Freestyle Cat Tree - Indoor (2024)

FAQs

Why doesn't my cat use the cat tree? ›

Make sure the cat tree has been securely built, as wobbly structures can feel unsafe and cats may be less likely to use them.

The Advantages of Two Trees

“If you have the space, I'd recommend more than one cat tree, even in single-cat households,” Buis says. “For two-cat households, a second cat tree may be even more important.

Cat trees are great for you and your pet. You can redirect clawing and climbing to your cat's special toys, keeping them from destroying your home. Also, your cat feels fulfilled in having a place to claw and climb while staying safe. Keep in mind that your cat may still scratch furniture and climb around other places.

Yes, most cats will be very happy to have a cat tree in their lives. A good tree will allow cats to fulfill most of their natural instincts - climbing, scratching, hiding and resting. It can be a great improvement for your furry friend and provide endless fun, as long as you find the right cat tree.

Cheetahs are not natural climbers. Cubs can, and do, clamber up the trunks of trees, but they tend to stay close to the ground. Cheetahs are unusual for big cats, in the fact that their claws do not retract – much more like dog claws than cat. This limits their tree-climbing abilities.

Put simply, felines love cat trees because they're a lot of fun to climb. Kittens and adults like using their bodies to balance and reach high places, and it's a great form of exercise.

A cat tree provides your cat with a place for playing, resting and for watching over their territory. Ideally, it should be installed in a spacious room and in a spot from which they can have as broad a view as possible.

Consider a fake one.

Real trees can be great, but pine needles can be dangerous for cats who love to chew on foreign objects. If ingested, they can pose a serious health risk. You can easily find a fake tree that still looks realistic, and you can use it year after year.

Cons. Can be an eyesore: Cat towers are ugly. Sure, companies try to make them look as good as possible, but they aren't nice pieces of furniture. Hard to maintain: If you have a cat throw up a hairball on a cat tower, you'll see how hard it is to clean it up.

Beige or grey usually work best because these neutral colors blend in and don't stand out too much.

Is it OK to buy a used cat tree? ›

Another reason to avoid used cat trees and similar items is that they may cause adverse reactions in your cats and other pets. “I wouldn't use cat trees secondhand as they'll have the odor of the other cat, and the cat now using it could start urine marking it,” Dr. Truitt says.

The life of a cat tree tower usually lasts from a few months to several years. It depends on the quality and the material of the tree. A wooden cat tree may last longer than cardboard or a fabric one.

Put a dab of hot glue right by the old rope and place the new rope right on top so that the two ends become as seamless as possible. Place a small line of glue (about 1/2" to 3/4" long) on the bare post about 2" away from where you last glued. Pull the rope tight and place it on top of the glue.

If the tree is less than 20 feet tall, try rescuing the cat with a tall ladder. More advanced rescuers can try attaching rope to a weighted object (like a tennis ball tied up with rocks) and carefully tossing it over a branch next to the cat. Then, use the rope to pull up the cat carrier.

Cat trees also act as a safe space and provides your cat with overall happiness. They are comfortable and hold a lot of functions. Not only are they beds for your cat to nap on, but these trees also help your cat groom themselves and live an active and playful lifestyle.

Cats love to be up high where they have a great view of everything going on in the home. Most cat trees have high perches where your cat can curl up, feel safe and get away from that horrible dog! Having the structure near a window also gives them a great nature channel to watch while home alone.

“But if you have a cat who is athletic and climbs on your table, who is running across the back of the sofa, then they might want a cat tree that's very tall.” When in doubt, choose a tree that's about the same height as your windows; that way, your cat can have “something to look at.

Cats do not fight with their front claws. They bite and scratch with the rear feet. They can still climb trees (to escape) without front claws.

Try surface or noise deterrents.

Here are a few of the most common ones that tend to have good results: Double-sided tape—cats hate the sticky feeling. Aluminum foil—they'll hate the feel and the sound of this one. Loud noises—put some coins in an empty can and shake it when they climb somewhere they aren't supposed to.

If your cat gets stuck in a tree, you should always try to call a certified professional first, before contacting emergency services. Thankfully there is an online international directory of tree servicers you can call for your area called Cat In A Tree Emergency Rescue.

Do cats need their own cat tree? ›

The Verdict. Ultimately, no, your cat doesn't need a cat tree to live their best life. What they do require, however, are opportunities to act on their feline instincts, such as scratching, climbing, and hiding. And a cat tree gives them a safe space to do just that.

Worse, a cat may eventually become too weak to climb down, and after a point, even if rescued, may die later of starvation, dehydration, or exposure. We don't see cat skeletons in trees because of a well-known law of nature called gravity: Kitty becomes too weak to hold on, lets go, and falls.

Use treats, toys or catnip to entice your cat onto the tree. If your cat responds to catnip, sprinkle it generously on the cat tree. Hide your cat's favorite treats on various levels of the tree, or dangle a favorite toy just high enough that your cat needs to climb the tree to reach the toy.

Choose a Calm, Quiet Location

So, pick a place where there is not a lot of foot traffic or noise. A calm, quiet space, such as a spare bathroom, spare bedroom, or a hallway, will help keep cats relaxed, so they can eat in peace.

What Kind of Christmas Tree Should You Buy? Live trees: Choose a Christmas tree with pet-friendly, pliable needles, such as a Douglas fir or white pine. Their needles won't stick in your cat's paws. Some cats like to eat stray needles, which can cause choking and seriously upset tummies.

Large cat trees require more assembly and often come with anti-tipping hardware for extra safety. Cat Condo: Cat condos are enclosed, cube-like structures that can come as stand-alone cubbies or built into a larger cat tree. These are ideal for cats that like enclosed spaces.

Low Maintenance. Unlike live Christmas trees, artificial trees don't need to be watered. They also don't drop pine needles or sap like real trees, so you don't have to spend as much time cleaning up after them.

A cat who likes to hide under the bed might have more fun with a small cat tree that's low to the ground, while a cat who's always perched on the highest surface in the room would thrive with a tall cat tree.

Do cats get bored of cat tree? ›

No, cats don't get tired of playing on the cat trees and special playing complexes. Indeed, it's very healthy for them.

Large Cat Trees

To avoid painful falls, wait until a kitten is at least 4 months old before introducing them to your tallest jungle gym. In the meantime, encourage scratching behaviors by providing scratching posts and pads, and give kittens smaller objects to climb such as kitten-sized trees.

Purple is a calming color and helps cats sleep better.

Calming Colors for Cats

Blue and violet are the most calming colors to cats. These colors can actually help reduce stress in your cat. They are the preferred shades in veterinary offices because of how cats react to them.

You might save yourself some money, only to find your cat won't go near it – and is stressed out by this 'foreign'-smelling object in their space. Nowadays, cat trees come in all shapes and sizes. You can invest $50 a get a solid cat tree now whereas before you'd have to spend at least $100.

Treatment for a Cat Who Swallowed String

If it's been a while since your cat swallowed the string, then your vet may try to retrieve it with an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera attached that's inserted into the stomach via the mouth. If they locate the string during the endoscopy, it can be safely removed.

Sisal Fabric for Cat Scratching Posts. Many cat scratching posts are covered with sisal rope, but sisal fabric is a better option. As a cat scratches at the rope, its fibers become dislodged and are sharp. This will dissuade the cat from continuing to use the post.

Pulling on the string can cause irreparable damage to the intestinal tract. If you do find your cat with string hanging from his mouth or anus, do not pull on the string or otherwise attempt to remove it. Instead, transport your cat to your veterinarian as quickly as possible.

(These are professional tree climbers, after all.) Generally, fire departments aren't going to respond to a call about a cat in the tree, since they need to be able to respond quickly to humans in emergency situations. So don't call 911 if your cat takes to the branches.

Who to ring if a cat is stuck in a tree? ›

You can't call 911 or any emergency services. Despite how desperate the situation may seem, emergency services like police or fire departments will not help your cat get down the tree. You can however call an arborist, animal rescue, or utility company.

Cats have good night-vision

However, they do have better vision than we do in low light conditions, such as on a moonlit night. This is because they have more receptors in their eyes called rods, which are sensitive to light, helping them to see six to eight times better than we can in the dark.

Use treats, toys or catnip to entice your cat onto the tree. If your cat responds to catnip, sprinkle it generously on the cat tree. Hide your cat's favorite treats on various levels of the tree, or dangle a favorite toy just high enough that your cat needs to climb the tree to reach the toy.

Make sure the tree is sturdy and was put together properly. If the tree is wobbly, kitty will not trust the tree. You may have to add some weight to the base if the tree wiggles too much.

Cats, and older cats in particular, want to feel solid ground when sleeping, hunting or playing. If the cat tree is wobbly, chances are your cat won't use it. If it has scratching posts, they have to be stable enough for your cat to sharpen her claws without shaking the entire tree.

Cats who find themselves out on a limb can survive in trees for a while, up to two weeks, Sears says. Your cats might come down on their own, but don't wait too long to take action.

Where to put your cat's cat tree. A cat tree provides your cat with a place for playing, resting and for watching over their territory. Ideally, it should be installed in a spacious room and in a spot from which they can have as broad a view as possible.

“But if you have a cat who is athletic and climbs on your table, who is running across the back of the sofa, then they might want a cat tree that's very tall.” When in doubt, choose a tree that's about the same height as your windows; that way, your cat can have “something to look at.

What can you do? Don't panic, cats are excellent climbers and will rarely fall out of a tree. Most cats might come down on their own, if given some time to calm down.

Cats can sometimes get bored with their surroundings, including their cat trees.

Why do cats climb trees if they can't get down? ›

Frequently, putting food out will just attract the same predators back to the base of the tree. 2) What goes up can't always get down. Cats' claws are shaped like fish hooks, and trees are nature's escape routes for them. They will often climb until they feel safe, then stop and realize they're stuck.

Another reason to avoid used cat trees and similar items is that they may cause adverse reactions in your cats and other pets. “I wouldn't use cat trees secondhand as they'll have the odor of the other cat, and the cat now using it could start urine marking it,” Dr. Truitt says.

Reusing a cat tree too many times can cause a risk of breakage, which can put your cat's safety in danger. So, it is better to replace the cat tree once in a few months, and if your cat is gentle and calm, replace it once a year.