We all want out cats to be happy and healthy, which is why we go looking for the best cat scratching tree. Cats have a natural instinct to scratch and climb, they need it. It’s important for their wellbeing.
So, that’s why I’ve done a lot of research and picked out the best cat scratching tree I could find. I wanted to find out what I could and review it so that you and your cat can have what you guys need to have a happy home (without clawed up couches and ottomans).
There are so many different options out there, it’s hard to pick just one as “the best”, especially when trying to take into consideration all the different needs different people might need. Which is why we have a few different categories here. But first, let’s start off with the overall best and our top pick.
Our Top Pick: The Lazy Buddy Modern Cat Tree
Yup, this is our top pick! It’s a delightful cat tree with plenty of scratching posts built in for your cat to enjoy. It’s got multiple levels for lounging, so if you have a super active high energy feline (or one who just enjoys the high life watching birds) it’ll work out great. It’ll also work well for a multi-cat home.
It’s nice and tall, coming in at 67” at its highest point, aka the top bed. It has five unique areas for your cats to explore, lounge and romp on. Each supporting pillar has been turned into a scratching post.
This gives your cat not only enough space to play on, but also lots of places for them to get out their need to scratch in a healthy way that isn’t destroying your furniture. They are made from durable sisal rope.
It’s made from CARB-certified natural particle boards, this is to help keep costs down while making safety still a high priority.
Quick Note: CARB stands for California Air Resources Board, or the “clean air agency” of California. This means that the particle board meets their high standards and regulations for safety.
The platforms each come with a soft wool mat that attaches using velcro. It’s a simple but effective system that gives your cats a really cozy place to snuggle up but is still super easy for you to clean.
Just pull off the mats, toss ‘em in the wash, let them dry and your cats have a nice clean bed again.
And it includes all the tools required to assemble it when it arrives, so you don’t need anything prior, all that you need is included in the purchase.
The only con I have for this tree is relatively minor, which is why it still made it to the top of this list. It comes with little rubber “feet” to help keep it from sliding, but the holes for them are not pre-drilled, so that is one added step. But I don’t think it detracts from this cat tree anywhere near enough to bump it down on this list.
If you are in a hurry, here is a quick summary of why this is our top pick:
- Affordable, especially for what you are getting
- A great size with lots of areas for your cat to lounge
- Lots of scratching posts built in for your cat
- Super easy to clean
- Bonus cat condo for your cat to snuggle in
- Pretty, modern feel that will go with most any decor
And that’s why we think this is the best cat scratching tree overall.
The Runner Up: Feandrea’s Rustic & Vintage Cat Tree
I feel like it’s pretty easy to see why this is the next runner up. It’s sleek, but still has a nice kind of rustic feel to it.
There are several levels for your cat to leap onto and snuggle up in, or just play around on. It has a central scratching post that’s tall enough for your cat to get a good stretch on while clawing away.
It’s nowhere near as tall as the top pick, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you have a cat who isn’t as fond of heights or you have a smaller space, this 34” tall cat tree would be a remarkably good choice.
There are three levels for your cat to climb or lounge on, not including the cat condo on the floor level. They are spaced well enough apart so that an older cat shouldn’t have a problem climbing to the top either.
I know how important it is to find things that can support our kitties even when they become little old ladies and men.
When my cat Lelu got older, she needed some extra help up to the windows, and this is the kind of cat tree I would have loved to have gotten for her if I’d known it existed at the time.
The vintage, more rustic feel of this cat scratching tree make me really love it, that’s for sure. I really love that natural wood looking finish on a cat tree. It goes with so many different decor styles while still making it look more modern, which I think is always a plus.
The scratching post on this cat tree is certainly a highlight as well, as it stretches the entire height of it, making the scratching post about 34” tall. This gives your cat a nice length of post to claw up, play with, and stretch on.
And all of the perches are a decent enough size. Feandrea is known for making cat trees that can support a large cat, and this one is no different.
It’s wrapped entirely in sisal, and right next to it is a little scratch pad for your cat to enjoy as well. There are fluffy faux fur cushions on each level of the cat tree and all of them are removable for easy cleaning.
If you are in a hurry, here is a quick summary of why this is our runner up:
- Pretty affordable, especially for what you get
- Good for large cats
- A decent size without being gigantic
- Sisal wrapped central scratching post
- Easy to clean with removable cozy cushions
- Older cat friendly
On A Budget: Amazon Basics Cat Activity Tree
If you are looking for a good cat scratching tree on a budget, I’d highly recommend this one from Amazon Basics. It’s a more traditional carpeted cat tree with multiple platforms and a plethora of scratching post options for your cat.
It’s a nice middle ground between tall and small, coming in at 45” in height. This makes the top platform high enough to give your cat a good look at the world without making you worry about them.
This cat tree features three platforms for cats to lounge on, which makes this good for both a single cat and multi-cat home.
It’s fully carpeted, so they can either use one of the seven built in scratching posts (the scratching posts are wrapped entirely in jute rope, by the way), or the carpet itself. That carpet also provides a nice plush place so snuggle!
The platforms are also made from MDF (medium density fibreboard), which, much like the particle board used in the previous cat trees is used to help keep your cats safe while still keeping costs down.
The top area is rounded to make a good space for your cat to curl up, snuggle and feel safe. Assembly is simple and all the tools and instructions required come included with this cat tree.
There is one thing I’d like to note quickly with this cat scratching tree. I can’t recommend if you only have larger (say, 15lb) cats in your home. The platforms are a little on the small side for a large cat and the top bed area is unlikely to easily fit a bigger cat.
If you are in a hurry, here is a quick summary of why this is our budget pick:
- Super affordable and cheap, great for those of you on a tighter budget
- Good height, 45” tall
- Three platforms make this great for multi-cat or single cat households
- Seven scratching posts for cats to choose from
- Easy assembly
For Small Spaces: PetPals Paper Rope Condo And Cat Tree
Alright, condo, apartment and studio dwellers, this one’s for you. It’s a nice size for when you don’t have much space, it has a pretty small footprint. This cat scratching tree still has a lovely design and is a conversation starter in any home, regardless of size.
This is not a tall cat tree, nor is it wide. It’s only 29” tall, which is just high enough to get your kitty up to the windows they want to see out of when resting on the top bed area.
And it’s base is 19” x 19”, enough to be stable but still small enough that it can fit easily into a small space.
It’s made from paper rope, which maybe on first glance doesn’t sound so good but people have been making furniture and baskets from this material for ages. It’s durable and lovely. The center post is covered in sisal rope, making this cat scratching tree a great option to consider.
The top basket/bed comes with a lovely cushion for your cats to snuggle up on. It can be removed to wash it when it comes time to clean. Though, it is worth noting that the carpet inside the bottom cat condo does not come out.
This cat tree is rated by the makers for up to 20 lbs, so if you have a larger cat it’ll stand up to their romping.
I do know that there are cats larger than 20 lbs out there, but I don’t have enough information to say whether it could stand up to them yet.
That said, an average sized cat will have absolutely no problem fitting in or on this tree. As a small added bonus, it also has an attached little toy for cats to bat and play with.
If you are in a hurry, here is a quick summary of why this is our small space pick:
- Its… Well, small! It’s a whole cat tree and scratching post package in a small body, so to speak
- Beautiful paper rope basket and cat cat mean that this will look good in your space
- Removable top pillow for ease of cleaning
- Can handle most larger cats
- Scratching post
- Cat condo
Luxury: The Marvin From Tuft + Paw
Now for a bit of fun! This is the Marvin from Tuft + Paw a designer cat furniture brand. They make luxury cat furniture with modern and minimalist designs and sometimes their stuff even looks like modern art.
This cat tree is made from eco-friendly, super high quality materials. The two platforms are made from birch plywood.
This cat tree would also be ideal for small living spaces as well, since it’s 36” tall and it’s base is 17” x 17”.
That said, this is a cat tree that does need a bit of extra support, if you are going to be putting it up, you will want to use the included supporting wall brackets, just to be safe. Otherwise it could be a little woobly. And that’s not something we want for your kitties!
One nice thing about this cat tree is that the entire length of it is basically one big cat scratching post. So, your cat will have plenty to scratch and leave your furniture alone in the process. The platforms for climbing have a slim profile and extend out from the main structure.
It has two platforms, one step and then a top platform for them to sit on and watch things happening. I can’t recommend this cat tree if you have a cat who you think would enjoy lounging on the top of it.
The platforms are a little on the small side. That said, you know your cat and they might just love it.
A serious plus side to this cat tree though is that it doesn’t get much easier to clean than this. A damp cloth is all it takes. Assembly of this cat tree is super easy and the customer service from Tuft + Paw is always on point in my experience.
If you are in a hurry, here is a quick summary of why this is our luxury pick:
- High quality and eco friendly materials
- Modern, sleek design
- Great customer service
- Large scratching post
And that’s it, those are all we have for this go around. I hope this helped you find the best cat scratching tree for your situation, whatever that happens to be! It doesn’t matter if you are on a budget or have a specific design in mind, there’s always something out there that you can treat your kitty with.
Have a great one and give your cat some pets for me!
