All Cat Trees are not created equal...

We often talk about enrichment opportunities to help keep our feline family members engaged, healthy and avoiding undesirable behaviors such as inappropriate urination and undesirable scratching (on furniture, drapes or flooring) to name a few.  One of the simple ways we can improve our home environment for our feline friends, is to add a cat tree! But are all cat trees created equal?....Cat trees differ drastically from materials, to height, to purpose (play, clawing material). Here are a few tips to consider when looking for the right tree for your cat:

1) Height does matter!  It's no secret, cats love to be perched vertically where they can survey their minions below!  Consider a tree that allows them to be elevated at minimum a few feet from the ground.  The elevation allows them to feel safe whether it's just to sunbathe and be able to look out the window at the same time, or to escape other pet family members or small children.  Providing a vertical space meets this need and as long as it is safe, often the higher the better!

2) Materials.  Remember that scratching is a normal behavior for cats that is required to help shed their claws.  The key is to help encourage them to scratch in an appropriate place! If you are using a cat tree that you wish for your cat to use an acceptable scratching post, consider the material being used on the posts.  Many cats prefer sisal rope and others soft carpet.  Other options may be corrugated cardboard or actual pieces of wood.  Be mindful that if choosing a carpeted post, sometimes cats will associate that material with being acceptable to scratch on wherever it's located (including undesirable areas such as the floor carpet or the stairs).  

3) Pheromones.  Cats will often 'mark' property/resources with the pheromones from around their whiskers or between their paw pads.  This can be a good thing when making the association to use the post as an appropriate scratching outlet, or that the baskets/hideaway platforms are 'safe' areas.  You can encourage this further by spraying the hammocks and posts with the Feliway pheromone spray.  Pheromones are also the reason why new cat trees should be introduced rather than ones that have been previously used by other cats- sometimes the scent of the other cats on the carpet or hammocks immediately deters them from using it.   

4) To Sleep, Play or Both!  Cat trees can be fantastic multi-purpose items that provide hammocks or hide-a-way boxes for resting and personal space, as well as attachments for fun items like toys and catnip.  Based on the breed and size of your cat, always make sure the hammocks are large enough to support their weight and allow them to sleep comfortably.  Sprinkling catnip or hiding a favorite toy in one of the cubbies can be a great way to entice play and form a positive association with the cat tree you wish them to use!