One thing that all cat owners should have for their cats is a cat tree. Whether you have one or multiple cats, ideally you want to have multiple cat trees.
Of course this can be a bit challenging for many reasons. You might:
have limited space
find expenses add up quickly
find cheap cost means cheap & dangerous cat furniture
want to customize your own setup
Whatever the case may be, sometimes its just better to build your own cat tree. But like a lot of projects you think up from time to time, this might seem easier than it really is.
Coming from someone who enjoys carpentry and has won several blue ribbons, there are always hard ways to go about creating things and easy ways to go about doing things. The most important factor is that we DO NOT SACRIFICE QUALITY for being hasty, lazy, cheap or a combination of reasons.
I want to show you how easy you can build a quality, sturdy, DIY cat tree without turning your life into an emotional wreck. My dad used to always say, easy is better than hard and I’m going to show you how to make this work for you and your cat.
Before starting, always practice safe habits and use all tools according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Myself and anyone on the Cat Climbing Structures team are not responsible for any damages, injuries, or other occurrences that happen as a result of your building your cat tree.
Proceed with caution and if you find you need help take one of our professionally developed DIY cat tree plans to a professional carpenter who can build it for you.
3 Steps To Build Your Own Cat Tree
Step 1: Design Your Cat Tree
The very first thing that you need to do before getting started is to figure out what direction you are taking. To do this, you will need to come up with a design plan.
It will guide you through each step of the building process as well as show you all the materials you will need to purchase. You can sketch the design plan on a piece of paper or you could get a cat tree plan like these.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Cat Tree Design
• Space Limitations – consider where you want to place your cat tree and then determine what size of a cat tree will fit seamlessly into that space. Take measurements of the space and record them. These measurements will guide you in making the finished product.
• Your Cat’s Personality – this will determine to a large extent the design of your cat tree. If for instance, your cat likes to climb, your cat tree design should be tall with several perches. If your cat likes privacy and staying alone, your design should have privacy as a top consideration.
• Your Carpentry Skills – if your carpentry skills are not advanced, consider keeping your design simple. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed.
• Availability of Homemade Cat Tree Plans – although you can find numerous Free DIY Cat Tree Plans on the internet, most of them are poorly put together, hard to understand and all-around poor quality. Finding a good quality cat tree plan is tough but they are out there if you look hard enough. We have some available here or you can chance the rough seas and try to make sense of the bad
Step 2: Buy Your Materials
Once you have the design, you will know which materials you need. Plywood is often used for horizontal platforms while more sturdy lumber is better suited for vertical supports.
Carpet is perfect for covering the wooden surfaces and a great scratching surface that cats love.
You may also need some carpentry tools including:
a drill
wood screws
a hammer
nails
a table saw
wood glue.
etc.
Be sure to consult your cat tree plans for all of the tools and materials you need. If this is your first time building, be sure to follow all the instructions step-by-step so that you can see how all materials and tools work together.
Once you gain some experience, feel free to swap certain materials for others. For instance, you might like oak wood instead of plywood but be sure to follow the overall instructions.
Be creative but safe at the same time. YOU are responsible for your own outcomes so always take your due diligence seriously.
*Cat Climbing Structures is not responsible for any damages to you or anything related to you when you do your own projects*
Step 3: Assemble The Cat Tree
Once you have all the materials together its time for the FUN PART! Time to put everything together.
Cut the materials to size
Using your design plan, cut all your materials according to the plan. A handsaw is very effective in cutting dimensional lumber while a table saw will cut sheets of plywood easily. Use sandpaper to smooth the rough edges.
Build the cat tree base
A reliable cat tree should have a sturdy base that can keep the entire structure stable. Such a base should extend out more than any other component of the cat tree for stability. You can make the base by joining together two squares of plywood using glue thereby making the base extra thick. Taller cat trees should typically have more extensive base to maintain stability.
Cover the base using carpet
You may also use a thick upholstery fabric to cover the base. This should be done before attaching the vertical parts. Cut the carpet such that its dimensions will be a few inches larger than those of the base on all sides. Wrap the carpet over the edges of the base and use a staple gun to staple it firmly on the plywood. Ensure that the carpet folds neatly on the underside.
Attach the vertical components to the base
The vertical parts are meant to hold the platforms in place. You can use screws, nails or wood glue to attach these vertical supports to the base.
Flip the base to an upside-down position and then drill the holes you need through the underside at the exact spots where the supports will be. Wrap the supports with carpet. Attach the vertical supports by driving screws or nails into the supports through the holes. You may wrap sisal rope on the vertical supports so that the cat tree also becomes a scratching post.
Attach horizontal perches to the vertical supports
You may use wood screws or glue to attach the plywood perches to the supports. Cover them with carpet or other reliable fabric after attaching them. The carpet also covers the screws ensuring that they don’t remain visible.
Refer to your design for more attachments
Refer to your design as you continue to add components. You may adjust your design based on stability needs, new ideas or discovered mistakes.
Congratulations! Now you know how to build your own cat tree in 3 easy steps.
The next phase is to get out there and do it. You can find cat tree plans right here on our site or you can find others floating around the web.
If you are ready to get started, click the button below. Feel free to ask any questions or add more information in the comments box below.
Scratching is a necessary function in cat culture. It helps them communicate, stretch, and is good for their overall well-being.
You’ve probably realized this and bought your cat a nice cat tree or scratching post. But what happens when your cat doesn’t use the piece of cat furniture that you spent so much time to pick out?
When you put your heart and soul into making your fur baby happy, it kind of stings when she or he shows little to no interest in it. Let me help lessen your load.
I’m going to show you how to get a cat to use a scratching post even if it refuses to. Bear in mind that these tips are not medical advice or meant to replace anything your vet might recommend you.
The most important thing is to understand your cat. This will help you begin to formulate reasons why your cat might not be using the scratching post that you got for it.
You will likely also think of other options or add-ons that might help your cat to feel more comfortable with using its scratching post.
Why do cats scratch?
Cats communicate using scent
Cats have scent glands on their paws. They also produce a uniquely scented sweat from the pads of their feet.
Scratching leaves these scents on the surfaces they scratch. Cats read the smells around them as a form of communication.
They communicate by marking their territories using scents which notifies other cats that they are around. Scent marking their territory also communicates when they were last there and gives the cat a sense of safety and security.
Most cats prefer tall vertical surfaces for scent marking as this maximizes the scent signal for other cats. They like to scent mark around nose height, so it is important that you give them scratch surfaces that are that high.
Entrances and exits are a cat’s favorite scent marking spots as other cats are likely to use these spots to enter the territory.
Solution
Placing scratching surfaces near entrances and exits is ideal. Try to avoid putting the cat tree in the center of the floor.
While this might help your cat to see what it is, in the grand scheme of your cat’s psychology, it is a no go.
Scratching Is A Good Stretching Exercise For Them
Cats also engage in scratching activity as a means of stretching their muscles. Cats feel nice when their back and leg muscles stretch as they scratch.
A cat feels just as good as we feel when we stretch after sleeping or sitting for a long time.
Solution
Get a tall scratching post or a cat tree instead of a piece of cardboard on the floor. This is why a lot of cheap cat scratching products don’t work.
Not only are they poor quality but they tend to be too short in both length and width. Do your cat a favor and get it the best cat climbing structure you can find even if you have to save up for it.
You will be saving yourself money and unnecessary stress big time in the long run.
For Fun And Stress Relief
Cats get a pleasant sensation under their paws when they scratch certain surfaces. They will, therefore, seek to scratch surfaces that will make them get the nice sensation.
Scratching is also a stress relieving activity for cats, and it is, therefore, a necessary activity for these pets. Some cats will shred pieces of furniture or rugs trying to feel nice under their paws and also for stress relief.
Solution
Take note of what kind of surfaces your cat likes to scratch and find a surface with a similar texture. Most cats prefer natural materials to synthetic so be sure to keep this simple fact in mind.
Even if your cat tends to scratch on synthetic materials, it might do so because natural materials are not available. Sometimes even what we think are made naturally are actually syntheic.
Just a little tip I thought I would mention because it gets me ALL the time!
Learn How To Get A Cat To Use A Scratching Post
Place The Scratching Posts In Optimal Places
It is important that you place the scratching posts where the cat can use them optimally as territory markers. Place the posts where the cat will derive maximum value including near entrances and exits such as windows.
Placing a post in front of objects that your cat likes to scratch is also recommended.
Placing scratching posts in hidden or out-of-the-way places will make her not want to use them. It is likely to ignore any scratching posts that are placed in such places.
Position The Scratching Posts The Way Your Cat Prefers It
Ensure that your cat’s scratch posts are placed in the way your cat would prefer.
For example, if you notice that your cat likes to scratch vertical surfaces, place the posts vertically
Your cat may not be using its scratching posts because they are positioned in an undesired manner.
Make Use Of Your Cat’s Favorite Napping Spots
Cats like to scratch immediately after waking up. They do this to stretch their muscle.
Placing a scratching post near her favorite napping spots will increase the chances of your cat using the scratching post.
Discourage Your Cat From Scratching Other Surfaces
You can get your cat to use her scratching post by making the other surfaces that she likes to scratch unappealing.
If she likes to scratch furniture, consider using tin foil or double-sided sticky tape to wrap the parts of the furniture she likes to scratch. Cats hate scratching tin foil or sticky surfaces so it will discourage them from scratching.
If your cat doesn’t like scratching rugs, consider covering the parts of the furniture she likes to scratch with rugs.
You may also let your cat know that you don’t like it when she scratches certain surfaces. This can be done by clapping your hands loudly when you catch her scratching the wrong surfaces.
Never yell or throw objects at your cat. It makes my skin crawl when I hear people say they do that.
Would YOU like to be treated this way? How would that make your feel?
Likely not good and it will lower your self-esteem. Your cat is the same way and not to mention this sort of behavior is abusive which IS NOT supported here.
Once you interrupt the behavior by clapping your hands, pick her up and take her to the scratching post. While on this, make sure you don’t scare her or punish her physically for her undesired behavior.
Also be patient with your cat. Remember that ultimately this is a learning process and learning takes time.
Let your cat know that you are supportive of its natural behavior. Encourage it to find better places to scratch.
They might not be able to speak in words but they can learn to understand you. They also understand emotion and you will be surprised how far a little empathy and care will go especially in these sorts of situations.
Make The Scratching Post More Appealing
You can use your cat’s own scent or catnip to make the scratching posts more appealing to him/her. You can also encourage the cat to use the scratching post by gently rubbing her paws on the post.
Doing so also leaves her scent on the post which makes it more likely for her to use it. Give her verbal praise while at it as a form of encouragement.
Rubbing some catnip onto the post will draw your cat’s attention to it.
Use Tall Scratching Posts or Cat Tree
Cats like tall scratching posts. They like to scratch on posts that allow them to reach high up while scratching and stretching.
The scratching post should be tall enough to allow your cat to stretch fully. Your cat may not use her cat tree if it is too short. However, it is important to note that some cats like to scratch horizontal surfaces.
Always work with what your cat likes.
Ensure That The Scratching Post Is Stable
An unstable scratching post will make your cat insecure and may, therefore, refuse to use the post. To avoid this, ensure that the scratching post has a firm base such that it doesn’t move or shift as your cat scratches.
You may also try fixing the scratching post to a surface for maximum stability. Scratching posts that lean against walls or hang on walls are unpopular among most cats.
Go With Your Cat’s Texture Of Choice
With scratching surfaces, getting the right texture is crucial. Different cats like different textures and you can learn your cat’s favorite texture by observing the surfaces she likes to scratch.
If you are not certain of what texture your cat likes, a relatively thick rope wound around a strong stand would be a good scratching post to start with. Use natural rope.
Avoid ropes made of plastic or artificial fibers – these materials are prone to creating static electricity which makes your cat uncomfortable.
Corrugated cardboard and cloth are also favorites among cats though they might not last as long as a scratching post, cat tree or other cat furniture.
Get Multiple Scratching Posts
Most cats like to scratch in multiple spots. With multiple posts, your cat will always have a scratching post nearby wherever she is.
If you have more than one cat, you need the multiple posts even more. Since cats like to mark their territory with their scent, they also don’t like to use things with other cat’s scents on them.
This is just the beginning of the discussion about How To Get A Cat To Use A Scratching Post. You might know other tricks that I haven’t mentioned here. If you do, we’d love for you to share them in the comments box below this post.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to use the comments area as well. I will be happy to help if I can.
If you’re ready to figure out what scratching furniture is best for your cat, click the link below to get started. We’re going to be discussing how your cat’s size, personality, breed and showing you your best options.
Cat trees come in such a wide variety it can be hard to tell which one is best for your cat. Sadly, most are poorly made yet can still cost you an arm and a leg to buy.
We don’t want you to waste your money on garbage that your cat won’t even use. So we’ve done some research and compiled a list of the best quality cat trees of 2019.
This list will include trees and condos of all sizes for both large and small cats. First read the list but be sure to scroll down to see a short review and breakdown of each cat climbing structure.
Why Your Cat Needs a Good Quality Cat Tree
Although it is tempting to just buy any cat tree for your cat, we encourage you to take your due diligence not only for your cat’s safety but for everyone else in your home as well. There are two main complaints that come to mind when recommending the right cat tree.
‘My cat doesn’t use its cat tree’ and sometimes sad acts of cat shaming occur afterwards.
The cat tree topples over and either breaks in half, breaks another piece of furniture or window, falls on someone or any combination of these.
Keep in mind that there are other reasons that you need to take your time when choosing a cat tree but we’ve chosen these two specifically because they are the most urgent issues in our opinion here at Cat Climbing Structures.
You do not want to have a poor quality shaky tree in your home. That exposes everyone to real danger. If the tree falls on your cat, a small child, elderly adult or other persons with frail bodies, it can cause serious damage and trauma.
It is also frustrating when you spend money on something that your cat refuses to use. This is a big one for us because you might not consider some issues about the tree from your cat’s perspective.
That’s ok because you’re not a cat but going forward, its important that you look at everything for your cat in this way.
A Wobbly Cat Tree
Buying a wobbly cat tree is probably one of the biggest contributors to why your cat is not using the cat tree. Think about how you feel going across a wobbly bridge or sitting in a wobbly chair.
Some people might be ok with it but most people won’t go on the bridge or sit on the chair. Why pray tell? Because you feel unsafe and not secure.
Your cat on a wobbly cat tree is the same. If it doesn’t feel safe using a poorly constructed cat tree then it won’t go anywhere near it.
Bad Odors
Since a lot of cat trees are manufactured, they are designed to be built quickly and as cheap as possible. This means they are often built with bad chemicals like adhesives that have formaldehyde and/or formaldehyde resins.
Not only are these chemicals bad for you and your cat (we’ll get to this in a sec) but they also have very strong odors. Do you remember in school when you did arts and crafts with strong smelling glues? They likely made you gasp for breath and put the container down just because of the fumes alone.
Well, your cat has the same response when similar products are used to put together cat trees. And get this, your cat’s sense of smell is even better than a dog’s sense of smell. So just imagine how much STRONGER the terrible odor is.
Hopefully it makes sense to you now why your cat doesn’t go near that cheap cat tree you may have got it or were thinking about getting it in the pet store.
Harmful To Your Health
As we just mentioned, some of the chemicals used to put together inexpensive cat trees contain chemicals that can not only be harmful to your cat but also everyone in the household. What are we talking about?
Sounds crazy but its true. One of the biggest offenders is the formaldehyde resin that is used to construct particle boards that the cat tree is made out of.
This chemical is highly invasive and can become airborne very easily. It is linked to a number of health issues including:
breathing issues
cancer
allergic reactions
irritation especially of the eyes and skin
The list goes on. If you want to read more about it, you can check out this article that talks about the toxicology of formaldehyde. They’re not going to tell you this stuff at the pet store but we’re NOT going to lead you astray about it! 🙂
How To Find The Best Quality Cat Tree
In the previous section we talked about things you need to be aware of that may make your cat turn away from a cat tree. In this section, we’re going to discuss three most important things that should be present in the best quality cat tree for your cat.
They are:
Stability
Cost
Cat Friendliness (scratching, stretching and laying surfaces, your cat’s preferences [likes to be hidden, etc])
Stability
It goes without saying that stability is one of the most important factors for you to consider when choosing the right cat tree for your cat. If it doesn’t feel safe on it, it won’t use it.
Think about it. Would you live in a house that shakes every time the slightest wind blows?
Well, some of us might have no choice due to circumstances (believe me I know from experience #truth ) but given the choice, we would want a stable home. Doesn’t have to be stable, but safe and secure.
Cost
Of course, cost is an important factor to buying your cat a cat tree. I challenge you to not let it be the defining factor though.
Sometimes it is worth saving for things and for your entire household’s safety, buying a cat tree is one of them. Now don’t be fooled by price either. Expensive does not mean top quality.
Be sure to read the description and make sure the cat tree is made of natural materials. Especially:
natural woods like oak, pine, and maple for example
natural sisal rope
good quality carpet (not necessarily natural) and scratching materials
If the tree has these things then it is worth it to spend the extra on it. If you can not afford one right away #nojudgement putting aside as little as $20 can do wonders! #noshame
Cat Friendliness
Once you have found a couple of good trees, it is time to consider your cat’s preferences. Just like we all have different preferences, so do cats.
Some cats might like to hide away more than others while some might like to lay high off the ground than others. The list goes on but you really need to take some time and note some things you cat likes best.
If you want some ideas, you can checkout our Ultimate Cat Climbing Structures Guide that talks about different cat personalities, sizes, age, and other characteristics that you need to consider. To quickly name a few though, you need to know if your cat:
prefers to be hidden all the time (more condos/closed spaces) or if it doesn’t mind being seen (open condos are fine)
prefers to lay up high or low (bed heights)
prefers to play in the air on or the ground (platforms, beds, toys on the tree, etc.)
prefered materials (plush, carpet, etc.)
I know this is a lot of information to take in and I hope you’re not too exhausted. Hopefully you have a better understanding of what you need to know to choose the best quality cat tree for your cat.
Remember that it is something that will affect your whole household so make sure you take the time to choose one that is safe AND secure. Now lets get into the Top 10 Best Quality Cat Trees 2019.
If you have any questions, comments or other feedback, please feel free to leave them in the comments box at the bottom of this or any post on this site and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Cat Climbing Structure’s 10 Best Quality Cat Trees of 2019
Your cat will have a blast doing everything it wants and needs to do on this tree. Not only is it sturdy but it is well equipped for just about every cat situation we can think of.
If your cat is old, s/he can gain access to the tree through the multiple ramps. It is large enough for all size domestic cats including a Maine coon.
There are tons of scratching surfaces and ways to keep your cats paws happily entertained and off your furniture. And the best thing about this cat tree is, that it is built so sturdily that it won’t budge even if you have multiple cats playing or laying on it!
Here’s the breakdown of the Cat Tree King Cat Mansion:
Size (L x W x H): 23 in (59 cm) x 29 in (74 cm) x 71 in (180 cm)
Type of Cats This Is For: Suitable for all adult cats
Scratching Post Material: thick sisal rope
Assembly Details: easy assembly, manual included
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 5 out of 5 stars, 30 customer reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
Here’s what some cat owners are saying on Amazon:
This product is hands down the absolute BEST cat tree you will find. Its VERY solid, sturdy and heavy duty. I have really fat cats and they fit on here great. They love this. I probably love it even more. Very easy to put together. Took me 20 minutes. – Excerpt from Brian’s review
My kitties love this tree!!! So do I!! Its heavy, quality and beautiful! The sisal posts are huge!!…They are happier than I have ever seen them with this tree. It puts other trees to shame!! I will be buying another one in another style for my kitties 🙂 this is seriously the best quality cat tree I have ever seen. – Excerpt from Kim’s review
When it comes to good quality, affordable cat trees, FEANDREA (formerly SONGMICS) is the best there is. This tree is a slight bit lower quality than our top pick but will do the trick if you are working with a tight budget. #yourenotalone 😉
It has multiple condos, beds and platforms for your cat to share or pick choose and refuse depending on how much you have. It is also equipped with a ramp for when/if your cat is older, overweight or just feels like walking up instead of jumping!
What we love about this tree is that it comes with multiple toys attached at the top of the tree. We also love the contrast between the dark material and light sisal rope.
It will go in any room without taking up too much space. Your cat is going to LOVE this tree! <3
Here is the breakdown of the FEANDREA 67″ Multi-Level Cat Tree:
Size (L x W x H): 23.6 in (60 cm) x 21.6 in (55 cm) x 67 in (170 cm)
Levels: 4 levels
Towers: 3 towers
Condos: 2 condos
Toys Included: Yes, balls
Structure Material: CARB-certified natural board with battens at the bottom to make it more stable
Covering Material: Plush
Type of Cats This Is For: All cats and kittens.
Scratching Post Material: Natural sisal rope
Assembly Details: easy assembly, manual included
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 293 customer reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
Here’s what other cat owners are saying on Amazon:
I have 10 rescue cats. Three are kittens and the rest are between 12 and 18 lbs each, and 32-34 inches long. BIG CATS! … Maine Coons can reach even larger sizes than my cats but if you that breed I think you would be pleased with the stability. – Customer
Compared to another Tower I bought from a pet store, this one is made so much better the quality is so much higher and my cats absolutely love it. It looks great too! It’s sturdy! I sometimes see three out of four of my cats on it at once. And they are Maine Coons and rag dolls. – Deborah Wirth
Large cats need a tree that is sturdy enough to take their heavy activity but comfortable and safe too. The Cat Tree King’s brand in general definitely delivers.
This Corner Cat tree is comfortable and will not budge an inch even if you have multiple large cats. It is a little on the short side BUT it is more on the AFFORDABLE side.
We chose this one because it has two hammocks and a bed which means there won’t be any fighting over sleep space. Because we all know cats are SERIOUS about their sleep, lol!
That’s why we take cat naps instead of people naps, haha! And your cat(s) are going to love cozying up on this cat tree.
Here’s the breakdown of the Cat Tree King’s Corner Cat XXL:
Size: 59” x 24” x 22” (150 x 61 x 56cm)
Colors: Beige
Levels: 4
Towers: 1
Condos: 1
Ramps: 1
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: Extra-strength ABS
Covering Material: Heavy-duty plush carpet
Type of Cats This Is For: Suitable for All adult cats of all sizes.
Scratching Post Material: Sisal rope
Assembly Details: easy assembly, manual included
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 5 out of 5 stars, 66 customer reviews
What People Are Saying On Amazon:
Here’s what some large cat owners are saying on Amazon:
I have four cats, three which are 17 pounds or more. I love this cat tree and thankfully so do all the cats. It’s very well made, super sturdy and large enough for all the cats – at the same time no less. I’m a 54 year old woman and put this tree together by myself with zero issues. I am very happy with this purchase, one of the best I’ve made on Amazon so far. I highly recommend this item.
Becky’s Amazon Review – “Best Cat Tree for Large Cats”
Beautiful and extremely sturdy cat house. I have never seen nor had such a well made cat house. I have a big Selkirk Rex who is 14 pounds. He can jump on it and it dies not sway. He even fits in the little pouches perfectly. The top level is very big to accommodate big cats. This is a well made cat house. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend it if you have a large cat!
Lau’s Amazon Review – “The Best There Is For Large Cats!”
If you have a tiny kitty or kitten, it needs a little tree to suit its size. That doesn’t mean that you need to or should have to compromise on what your cat needs.
When you get this cat tree by PAWZ Road, your little one will have access to everything it needs including:
scratching posts
bed
condos
ramp
And to put icing on the cake, it is soooo comfy that it makes us wish we could lay on it too! …Well, that might not work out so well for us BUT for your kitten or small cat, this cat tree is one of the best options there is.
Here’s the breakdown of the PAWZ Road Luxury Cat Tree:
Size (L x W x H): 17.7 x 19.7 x 33.9 in (45 x 50 x 86 cm)
Colors: gray
Levels: 2
Towers: 1
Condos: 2
Ramps: 1
Toys Included: No
Structural Materials: TBD
Covering Material: Ultra soft plush or felt (#yaaas)
Type of Cats This is For: Small cats or kittens
Scratching Material: Natural sisal
Assembly Details: easy to assemble. Can find instruction videos on YouTube as well.
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 4.5 out of 6, 8 reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
Here’s what cat owners are saying about this cat tree:
So easy to assemble…our cat was on it before I could finish getting it together. It is very sturdy. The top perch is great and with two posts to hold it our big cat is very secure on it. I love the removable cover on top perch. There was even an extra felt bottom hideaway and pompom. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a tree that is good in a small space and looks nice. This is a very good buy!
Paula’s Amazon Review – “Worth The Money”
I have a 15 lb cat & he LOVES it!! Thinking about getting a 2nd one for downstairs for him.
When it comes to small spaces, traditional standing cat trees can take up a LOT of space. Too much in fact.
That’s why our first recommendation for any tight space is to utilize your best asset, which is your walls. Wall-mounted cat trees are sturdy and give your cat everything that a traditional cat tree does.
Your cat will also enjoy the added benefits of:
being able to get higher
more customized pathways
runways that extend vertically and horizontally
play, sleep, and eat off the ground
and more!
You will also like that you can buy different attachments to continue to extend it in the future. Eventually you can have an entire runway for your cat without taking up ANY extra space.
They will love it even better than a traditional cat tree! We pinky promise 😉
Here’s the breakdown of the CatastrophicCreations Cat Mod Climb Track:
Size L x W x H: 56 x 11 x 69 in (142 x 28 x 175 cm) can be customized to your preferences.
Colors: Unfinished, English Chestnut, Onyx Wood
Levels: varies
Towers: varies
Condos: No
Ramps: varies
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: solid wood
Covering Material: canvas fabric
Best for: all cats
Scratching Material: sisal
Assembly Details: may be difficult and you should know (or be open to learning) how to use basic tools. Nothing too complicated though.
Solid, beautiful piece of cat furniture. Cats took to it immediately. Took a little time to mount, but was not overly complicated. Really pleased with this purchase and company!
Lee H. Young’s Amazon Review – “Very Nice Looking. Quality Product”
At first I thought it was going to be difficult to install. I recommend looking at their website for additional helpful tips on the configuration based on stud spacing etc. It turned out to be a lot easier to install and they include all of the necessary screws and even the drill bit. In short it looks great and our cat loves it! Great craftsmanship. I will be expanding with their other configurations soon.
J. Gibson’s Amazon Review – “Great Crafstmanship. Cat Loves It.”
If your cat is a senior cat, it might have a bit of trouble jumping but it likely still wants a comfy bed off the ground. This cat tree definitely delivers.
It is easy for your older cat to climb up while being both comfortable and stylish at the same time. Your cat also has plenty of scratching and stretching surfaces.
The only problem you might have with this cat tree is that it does not have a condo. In this case, you can buy your cat a little cubby or something that s/he can lay in.
Here’s the breakdown of the Best Quality Cat Tree For Older Cats:
Size: 19.5 x 19.5 x 27.5 in (50 x 50 x 70 cm)
Colors: Beige
Levels: 3
Towers: 1
Condos: 0
Ramps: 0 but stairs are close and easy to climb
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: CARB Phase II compliant
Covering Material: Long-haired plush
Best for: Older/Senior cats, Kittens and Small cats.
Assembly Details: Quick and easy to assemble. All hardware is included along with easy to use instructions.
Warranty: One year warranty on materials (MDF, plush, jute)
Rank: 4.5 out of 5. 4,764 customer reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
This is what older cat parents are saying about this cat tree:
This has been a huge hit with our senior kitty. She’s on the larger side, and fits very easily in the hammock. She always looks pretty happy and cozy in there. And even before we put it together, she was clawing away at the scratching posts!
Exerpt from Amazon Customer – “Excellent! Cat Loves It!”
I have two senior kitties…I cannot say enough great things about this product. It’s well made and the kittens snuggle up and use this every day! One of my senior kitties loves it too.
Exerpt from kateinfl’s Amazon Review – “I Want To Buy Another Because It Is So Great!”
If you have multiple cats then you need multiples of EVERYthing! That includes:
beds
scratching posts
platforms
condos
It also needs to be sturdy enough to handle multiple cats playing and/or sleeping on it at the same time.
Your cats will happily share this cat tree because it has all of the above. Multiple beds and condos are a definite MUST HAVE in cat culture and they won’t have to share either if they don’t want to!
There are also lots of different heights that your cats can choose from. Chances are, they won’t like the same thing so instead of having to buy multiple different trees, this one single tree gives your cats such an awesome variety of choices so you will save lots of money, time and stress levels! 🙂
Here’s the breakdown of the CozyCatFurniture Extra Large Climbing Cat Tree:
Size (L x W x H): 25 in (63.5 cm) x 25 in (63.5 cm) x 73 in (186 cm)
Colors: beige, mocha
Levels: 4
Towers: 3
Condos: 2
Ramps: 0
Toys Included: Yes
Structure Material: Wood
Covering Material Soft Plush
Type of Cats This Is For: Healthy adult cats. May not be suitable for older cats especially if they have mobility issues.
Kittens love to play. They love to peek and twist and turn all around.
We love this cat tree because it gives your kitten a little extra play area to get its sense engaged and active. After all an active kitten is a happy kitten which means that you won’t have to worry about behavioral problems that can happen if your kitten does not get to exhaust all of its energy.
It is also adapt for multiple kittens to play on and is small enough to keep all of their activity in their section of your home. Kitten play can get pretty intense so you want to make sure that they have a tree that will keep them busy, far away from breakable things like vases or picture frames. Yikes!
Here’s the breakdown of the OKDeals Multi-Level Cat Tree Condo:
Size (L x W x H): 25.6 x 15.7 x 50.4 in (65 x 40 x 128 cm)
Colors: Dark gray/beige
Levels: 4
Towers: 1
Condos: 1 if you consider the barrel will be used as one
Ramps: 0
Toys Included: No but you will need them!
Structure Material: TBD
Covering Material: Soft Plush
Best for: Kittens
Scratching Material: Sisal rope
Assembly Details: easy screw-together assembly
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 3.5 out of 5 stars
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
My cat loves her tree! It’s very sturdy and unlike my last tree it doesn’t tip over when she jumps on it. Very easy to assemble. It’s cute and fits in my apartment well.
Cherilyn Joan Mattina’s Amazon Review – “Very Nice Cat Tree”
I am very happy. The parts can be assembled in many ways and I have adapted them for my two large cats. The barrel part is great. 12 lb. cat can fit in the cubby holes and they love the circle top area.
Harim’s Amazon Review – “It Can Be Assembled In Different Ways and 12lb. Cats Can Fit In The Cubby Holes.”
Your cat loves to dart up and down tall fixtures. That is because they naturally have the urge to do the same thing outdoors on trees.
When we bring them in our homes though, it is very hard to fulfil this need. This is where this awesome cat tree tower comes in.
Your cat will have fun shimmying up and down this tall tower. The best thing of all is that you won’t have to worry about if it will fall over or not because it is anchored to the wall which is the most sure way to have one of these units installed.
Well, unless your house is built of straw and your neighbor is the big bad wolf…but I have a feeling that’s unlikely! So you know there’s nothing your cat can dish out that will knock down your wall.
Here’s the breakdown of the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Climber:
Size: 24 x 20.8 x 76.8 in (61 x 53 x 195 cm)
Colors: brown/beige combo
Levels: 2
Towers: 1
Condos: 0
Ramps: 0
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: E0 MDF (passes formaldehyde safety regulations and European REACH standards which has stricter guidelines.)
Covering Material: None but comes with two soft laying pads
Best for: Older kittens/adolescent cats and adult cats. Older and larger cats may find it hard to jump from the top platform to the second.
Scratching Material: Sisal
Assembly Details: Some technical skills may be needed but installation is easy and straightforward.
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 5 out of 5 stars
What People Are Saying On Amazon:
I have a rather shy nervous cat with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome. This tree has turned him into the happiest cat on earth (almost). I wish I bought this years ago. Cats need to climb and hunt. This provides it all!
Coco’s Amazon Review – “Cats Need To Climb”
This is a great, high quality cat scratcher/perch! I do agree that some cats can have a hard time jumping down from the top tier to the middle to get off, and although my cat doesn’t quite have those problems, I do plan to hook up a few cat runways and sisal poles to the top tier so it has a few options to get down
10. Good Life XL Adjustable Floor to Ceiling Cat Tree
Best Quality Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tree
For some cats, tower trees can be difficult to use and they don’t provide you cat with everything they need. An awesome alternative is a floor-to-ceiling cat tree because it has condos, platforms and is easier to gain access to.
This one is great because it is sturdy and we also like that the lowest platform is very low to the ground. This will help small, old or disabled cats to gain access to the tree.
There is a condo at the bottom and a hammock at the top to give your cat different sleeping options. But what we really love about this cat tree is all of the ins and outs it has like holes, tunnels side platforms and tall poles for your cat to shimmy up and down til its heart’s content!
Here’s the breakdown of the Good Life XL Adjustable Floor to Ceiling Cat Tree:
Size (L x W x H): 21 x 21 x 96-102 in (53.5 x 53.5 x 244 – 259 cm)
Colors: Coffee/Milk
Levels: 4
Towers: 2
Condos: 1 but also includes a hammock
Ramps: None
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: TBD
Covering Material: Durable fabric
Best for: All cats and kittens
Scratching Material: Sisal rope
Assembly Details: Easy assembly. Hardware and instructions included.
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 5 out of 5
What People Are Saying On Amazon:
This is a wonderful cat tower!! Our cats just love it!! They even use the very top round ledge and basket that doesn’t look big enough for a cat . Well it does and he loves it!! I can say it was easy to put together as I can’t put ANYTHING together so that says a lot !!
Our #1 Recommendation for the Best Quality Cat Tree 2019
The competition was pretty close but there’s no contest that the best good quality cat tree is by Cat Tree Kings! It has everything your cat needs and is built to withstand the roughest, toughest cat activity.
It is great for single and multi-cat family homes and also can accomodate cats of all ages. If you want to learn more about this cat tree click the button below.
Aww, I’m sorry we weren’t able to show you something you liked. Since we pride ourselves on only recommending the best of the best, you can look at any of our posts on cat trees to see what other options there are out there.
Hope this helps! If you are looking for something in particular, please feel free to ask in the comments box below. If you have any further questions, comments or other feedback, please do the same.
We’re here to help you and your cat find your happy places away from your precious furniture! 😉
Maine Coon Cats are known to be gentle, easy-going cats. They are the largest breed among domestic cats which makes them highly sought after and highly esteemed by cat enthusiasts.
Most of us will only dream of owning one of these large beauties but for the lucky ones of you who do have one, it can be troubling when they start to act in ways that are not commonly associated with them. Some common bad behaviors associated with Maine Coons include:
aggression
scratching
biting
growling
It can be quite unsettling when your docile fluffball turns into a cat you’re more likely to see in a horror film. So how can you discipline a Maine Coon Cat so s/he returns to the loving pet you know?
Here are my 5 best tips for you!
Maine Coon Cat Behavior Profile
Before we get into disciplining your cat, let’s talk about what your Maine Coon should be acting like. Sometimes their natural behaviors might not be likable but they’re just being themselves.
In some cases, there are things that we can do like install cat trees and distractions but for the most part, its best to let your cat be a cat. Just you won’t like if someone all of a sudden comes into your life and tries change the natural things about you, neither will your cat.
And just like how you will become frustrated and perhaps act very out of character in this case, your cat will be the same.
So please take this to heart and accept your cat being a cat. I can relate because the whole reason I started this site was because I hated my cats jumping on the table and tearing up the furniture.
While I had to learn that scratching and jumping are normal, natural and necessary for cats, I also learned how to keep them off the furniture and places that I didn’t like or may not be safe for them to be like the stove top.
Maine Coon Cat Personality
Maine Coons are wild by nature. This is why it is important that you get your cat from a responsible, experienced breeder who knows how to properly socialize and raise Maine Coons (more on this later).
That being said, under normal domestic circumstances, you can expect them to be:
gentle
playful
a strong need to be high
affinity for snow and water
very vocal (your cat has a lot to say and s/he’s gonna say it!! lol! 🙂 )
good with other cats and dogs
Common Maine Coon Habits
In the personality section, you will notice that I mentioned their need to be up high. This is very important for you to know because if you do not provide your cat with proper platforms, perches, trees, etc., s/he WILL fulfill their need somewhere in your home whether you like it or not.
That’s because Maine Coon Cats are naturally skilled hunters of mice. Now before you get offended, this is not saying that your home has mice in it, although if one happened to scurry in mistakingly you can be sure it won’t be around for long.
This just means that their instinct drives them to hunt. In order for them to feel like they are fulfilling this drive, they will seek high places as that is the best vantage point to see a fast-moving mouse hurrying across the ground.
I’ve only personally encountered a mixed Maine Coon Cat and she liked to perch in the same spot for hours on end constantly looking back and forth. So if you have a purebred Maine Coon Cat it will do this even more.
Reasons Your Maine Coon Might Be Misbehaving
As aforementioned, just like certain conditions make you feel and act, unlike your usual awesome self, the same will happen to your Maine Coon. Below, you will find some common conditions that might make your cat act out of character.
Illness
The first thing that you should think to do when your Maine Coon cat (or any pet for that matter) acts out of character is to take him/her to the vet. That’s because there are a number of feline ailments that your cat could be experiencing.
Even something as small as an ingrown or cracked claw can cause severe discomfort and make your cat extra cranky. But as the parent of a Maine Coon, you should also be aware of some common conditions that they are prone to.
Another ailment that can have your cat acting nothing like itself are parasites. Although technically not an ‘illness’ if your pet has them, s/he can experience a host of illnesses that, again, will make them act completely out of character.
Some things to look for are:
white or other particles in poop that look like rice or strings
diarrhea
excessive litter box use
no litter box use
gagging or reaching but nothing comes up
nausea
Again, if you suspect that your cat is ill in any way, take him/her to the vet right away because only they can confirm what is going on internally. Google can’t do that for you.
Injury
Further to illnesses, your cat may also have some sort of injury that you may or may not be able to see or detect. For instance, a fractured bone will not be detectable but your cat will certainly be in pain from it.
There are a number of ways that your cat can be injured and it may be a result of their everyday life or aging process.
Avoiding injury is one of the biggest reasons that you should have proper cat trees and other furniture available in your home for your cat because they will be able to access it properly. They will also be able to grasp onto it and not be the victim of a slipping accident whether inside or outside your home.
For instance, High-rise syndromeis a common condition caused largely because cats are not given proper cat climbing structures.
If you suspect that your cat may be injured, take it to the vet right away. The longer you wait to treat an injury, the worse it will get.
And like in the case with High-rise syndrome, the sooner you get your cat to the vet for treatment, the more likely and better they will recover.
No Territory
Although Maine Coon Cats are pretty social kitties, whether they are male or female they will have a sense of territory. There are two types of cat territories:
Hunting/Personal territory (male and female)
Mating territory (more enforced with males)
For indoor cats, the size of their territory doesn’t have to be huge but it does have to be their’s. The size of it will depend on the cat BUT the good news is that you can increase it by building vertically (up and down) or horizontally (left to right or vice versa).
Remember that just because your cat isn’t actually ‘hunting’ or even breeding, it will still have these drives built into it. You can obviously reduce the mating territory urges by spaying your male cat, however, it will not change the hunting/personal territory needs.
Males will need more area than females, but do not consider this as a sign that females don’t need their own space. If they do not have enough space, they will likely become aggressive and attack other cats, other pets and even you in some cases.
Stress
There are a number of things that can stress your cat. They include, but not limited to:
not enough personal territory and other ‘property’ like bowls, toys, beds, etc.
no safe place to rest, sleep, play, eat, etc.
being chased by other cats, dogs, pets, kids, etc.
constant conflict
illness/disease
natural conditions or imbalances with hormones, body function, etc.
Overweight
Just like some people are better at controlling their food consumption than others, it is the same with cats. With Maine Coon Cats, males are more prone to overeating and obesity than females.
(Of course, this is not to say that females don’t overeat.)
I would think that is because of their larger size. It is also important to make sure that you’re feeding your cat good, nutritious foods that are free of grains and other fillers.
Like with foods we eat, fillers are useless to body function and are stored as access fats. So while grain-free and healthier foods are more ‘expensive’, they do your cat a whole lot more good and a lot of the time they’ll end up eating less because their bodies will be fulfilled with the nutrients it needs.
Obesity in cats is directly linked to behavior altering conditions like:
depression
anxiety
bipolar disorder
etc.
Now you can see how something as simple as overeating can lead to your cat not acting like his or herself.
Not Being Properly Socialized As A Kitten
You might say that Maine Coons are not inherently calm. Instead, they can be quite wild.
It takes a lot of effort to mold a kitten into a well-behaved adult cat. That includes it being properly exposed to other cats, pets, people, etc. and raised in safe, appropriate conditions.
This is why it is so important to get your cat from a reputable, experienced breeder who will make sure that it is properly socialized as a kitten. If it has not received the proper upbringing it will be very hard to correct as an adult.
Another thing that should happen as a kitten is spaying/neutering. Aside from unwanted breeding, this will stop the production of unwanted hormones that lead to unwanted behavioral issues like aggression, being over possessive, etc.
Right now, there is no excuse why your pet can’t be neutered because you can get it done cheaply at low-cost clinics along with a host of other necessary procedures like vaccinations, deworming, etc.
5 Ways To Discipline A Maine Coon Cat
Now that you have a good understanding of how your Maine Coon should and shouldn’t be acting, we can jump right into disciplining him/her.
But honestly, I’m not sure if there is actually a way to ‘discipline’ a cat as much as there is to give it what it needs to solve his/her issues.
How NOT To Discipline A Maine Coon Cat
I want to make this really clear. Cats are different than dogs.
To be blunt, they don’t care what you want. They are hunting machines and strongly driven to do so.
For this reason, you MUST take it seriously to give your cat what it needs. You should not be:
yelling
spanking
using abusive tactics and language
confining them for long periods of time
These will result in worst behavior from your cat. They are also inhumane and bad practices as a whole.
I know it can be frustrating to deal with but you MUST take a couple of deep breaths, calm down, refocus your mind and move forward to find a good solution for you and your cat.
Also, I challenge you to not ‘give it up’ just because you don’t like what s/he is doing or if s/he isn’t responding to what you are trying. Take the time to make your home cat-friendly and you will be handsomely rewarded with a wonderful pet you know your Maine Coon Cat should be.
How To Help Your Maine Coon Cat
In order to get your Maine Coon to act right, you have to:
Figure out the problem
Find the solution to your problem
Fix the problem
Include preventative measures and plans of actions so that it doesn’t happen again OR the effect is reduced (depending on the problem)
The first place to take your Maine Coon Cat is to the vet. Your vet will be able to examine your cat at an internal, external and microscopic (things you can’t see) level.
They will also be able to give your cat the treatment it needs and prescribe treatments that are only accessible through a veterinarian.
Increase Territory
I can tell you from experience that if it’s not a health issue then chances are that your cat is likely having a territory issue. Lucky for you, this particular problem is easily fixable and more cost-effective than a huge vet bill.
You are also lucky because cats and their weird way of thinking don’t need an actual increase in the size of their territory, but instead, they will do even better if you increase their surface area of things to climb within the same size area.
Bear in mind that since we are talking about the largest domestic cat in the world, the average cat furniture will not work. Most are poorly made and will topple over or/and break when your Maine Coon tries to get on it.
If you have tried the first two options but your cat isn’t responding completely or at all, s/he might have some sort of psychological or emotional issue going on.
Contrary to age-old beliefs, animals like cats and dogs actually DO have feelings and are capable of making emotionally driven decisions or actions.
They are also susceptible to being born with or developing psychological imbalances.
Just like your doctor can not diagnose you with specialized conditions like depression (not saying you have it, just an example), neither can a vet diagnose a cat with depression or another disorder either.
For this reason, you will have to seek specialized attention from a cat psychologist.
A cat behaviorist will also be able to help you, in this case, better than your vet because they work with your cat’s psyche and thought process as well. They will also be able to advise you of other methods and things that you can do to make your cat behave and feel more at home in your home.
If your cat is diagnosed with a mental disorder, s/he will be given medications to help with their situation. I have no experience with the type of medications that are given to cats with mental disabilities but I know that it is very real.
Give Him Attention
As I mentioned before your cat has very real feelings. I know sometimes we get busy and the first ones to be neglected attention are our pets, especially if you have kids.
Your attention goes to your kids and making sure your animal is fed seems ‘good enough’. I can relate because I have to remind myself of the same thing ALL the time.
But your cat does need your attention. Just like your child will act out when you don’t give them enough attention, so will your Maine Coon if s/he doesn’t get enough attention.
And being very social cats, they do like a lot of attention.
What I like to do is give myself time to relax, watch a show and idly pet my cat or let him rub up against my hand when I hold it up for him to do so. That way, I’m still giving them attention but still getting some down time myself.
We need that too and the good thing about cats is they will rub up against you themselves and its not as hard as a dog so you can just let them do their thing.
I also like to cradle mine and give them little belly rubs. This can be tricky with some cats especially if you just started a relationship with them.
But if your cat will expose its belly to you, it is a very good sign. So I like to get mine to do it asap without rushing or pushing them into it.
‘Another attention while I relax’ tactic I like to use is using a laser light. This not only gives them attention but it also gives them exercise which is another necessary component to their daily needs.
Doing this will reduce their chances of becoming obese and developing weight-related problems including behavioral issues, depression, and diseases.
Give Hime Safe Places and Refuge
Even though Maine Coons are social cats, they still need to have safe places to:
get away
eat
rest
observe
play
If you have children, other pets or other cats, your Maine Coon might not be able to find anywhere s/he can feel at ease. Being in constant tension will definitely affect their behavior as well.
That being said, it is important that you create safe places for your cat. Observe what s/he naturally likes to perch on and find something similar for him/her that is off the ground and away from threats.
A ‘threat’ is anything or anyone that will disturb him/her while they are resting, eating etc. They include:
kids
dogs
other pets roaming the house
you if you bother them at the wrong time
etc.
A good way to give your cat a safe place to be is to install a cat tree or condo designed to handle their weight. You can put their food bowl on one of the tall perches so that they won’t be d
isturbed while eating.
This is also a good idea because they won’t be disturbed while sleeping either as most are above or close to 6 ft tall.
As I previously mentioned, you will need special cat trees to handle your Maine coon’s weight and activity. Personally, I recommend wall-mounted cat trees by Catastrophic Creations.
They have specialized perches with inserts for your cat’s food and water bowl but also inserts for plants your cat will love like catnip. You can also plant cat-friendly plants in them to make an awesome wall decoration so that it doesn’t scream ‘cat tree on my wall’ haha!
I hope that this information has helped you develop a plan of action to handle your Maine Coon Cat’s unruly behavior. If you have any questions, comments or other feedback, please leave them in the comments box below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible 🙂
Cats need lots of space to run around and play. If they don’t get it, they could end up with a host of health problems like obesity, diabetes, etc. and turn your lovely home into a torn apart demolition zone.
As cat owners, it can be very frustrating to live with cats when you only have a little bit of living space. Sometimes this happens because you are forced to move into a smaller apartment or maybe you just prefer living in a smaller home (less cleaning ftw! 🙂 ).
Just the other day some friends of mine were having a yard sale because they were moving from their big country home and yard to a much smaller, city apartment. Life happens but the important thing is that we give our cats what they need regardless of our situations.
So whatever your case may be, if you live in a small place, you won’t have any space for a huge cat tree yet you need something that is sturdy that can handle your cat’s daily banter.
In this post, I’ll be showing you the best cat tree for small apartments so that you can give your kitty what s/he needs without taking up too much space.
The Best Type of Cat Tree for Small Apartments
The good thing about cats is that you can increase their overall space by adding vertical structures like cat trees. So in essence, even though you can’t increase the size of your apartment, you sort of can in your cat’s eyes.
In order to do this, you will not be using a traditional standing cat tree but instead, you should install a wall-mounted cat tree.
Doing this will not take up any space in your apartment and it will give your cat a place to climb, play, lay, scratch and do all those things that cats love to do. In addition, wall-mounted cat trees can be customized to your liking and good ones won’t look like ‘cat trees’ at all.
Wall mounted cat trees are really awesome because they are so versatile and come in so many different forms. Here is a quick video of some super cat owners that utilize these structures to their fullest potential.
Cat Shelves
Cat shelves are basically platforms that your cat uses to jump from one height to the next. They are not stand-alone structures but instead are grouped together in intricate patterns across your wall.
Cat shelves can also be used to hold things for your cat like their food and water bowls. Some are even designed with slots for each.
Scratching surfaces are essential when you have cats. They will need to file their nails and stretching is a big part of cat culture.
If you don’t have one of these they WILL do some serious damage to your furniture, drywall, appliances and even you!
They come in many sizes but the best one to have is the tallest pole you can find. That’s because many cats love to shimmy up tall structures and this will present them with the ultimate opportunity.
Walkways
Even though cats love to jump, they’re not going to hop around all over the place like a frog. So it is important to have pathways where they can walk or lay on.
These do not have to be complicated. All you need is something as simple as one board or piece of fabric connecting two shelves/platforms together.
The Best Cat Tree For A Small Apartment
I’m sure by now, you’re probably wondering about how stable wall mounted cat trees are and if your cat will be safe when using it.
While I can’t speak for all wall mounted cat tree brands, I can assure you that the one I’m going to show you is sturdy and firmly fastens onto the wall keeping your cat safe.
I hope that this information has helped. If you have any questions comments or other feedback, please leave them in the comments box below and I’ll be happy to connect or answer your questions.
Do you have any cool recommendations for cat trees for small apartments? I’d like to hear them.
There’s one thing that baffles me beyond measure. That is the reason dogs are so addicted to cat food.
And for me, my cats also love the dog food. Why do I spend so much getting separate food for each animal when they want to eat each other’s food??
If only cats didn’t need specific proteins in their diet we could get away with getting just dog food!! LOL!
Maybe someone should come up with a cat-dog food. That would be pretty awesome but I highly doubt it.
Ah well, we can dream. But in the meantime, we have to figure out ways to keep our dogs out of the cat food that doesn’t involve multi-purpose foods.
Why You Do Not Want Your Dog Eating Your Cat’s Food
The essential nutrients for cats are not harmful to dogs. So when your dog eats your cat’s food it’s not harmful.
Despite this fact it still can be quite troublesome in a number of ways.
Dog Nutritional Needs
Even though dogs won’t be harmed by eating cat food their diet still needs a different balance of nutrients than cats or any other animal for that matter.
Although this might not sound like a big deal it is. Just like if you don’t get your right nutritional needs if any of your animals don’t get their nutritional needs it can seriously affect their health.
For instance, you are probably aware of the importance of calcium and bone health. But you might not be aware of the importance of how important calcium is to the nervous system and sending signals through the body.
I’m not an expert in dog nutrition but you do want to be sure that your dog is getting its recommended servings of foods.
Cat Food Is More Expensive
Cat food is more expensive than dog food so if your dog keeps eating your cat’s food you will probably wreck up a hefty bill pretty quickly.
I believe this is the case because cat food has to have more real protein than dogs since they need more protein. Cats are obligate carnivores which means that they are more dependent on protein and specific kinds like taurine.
This allows manufacturers of dog food to add more fillers in to dog food that they can’t get away with adding as much to cat food. In both cases, fillers are no good for the animals but when it comes to expense it makes the food less expensive.
I personally buy grain-free pet foods despite them costing more because they are healthier for your pet. A bloated pet is not a satisfied pet which is another reason your dog or cat may seem like they’re continuously hungry.
Cat food can be twice as expensive as dog food so you do want to be careful about letting your dog continuously scarf down your cat’s food.
Your Dog May Loose The Taste For Its Food
This happens a lot with dogs and cats when they like the other food better than their own. They will start to refuse the food that you usually give them because they want what they like.
This can be problematic of course because you don’t want your babies to be starving. You might feel helpless to help them since their hunger might drive them to go after the other food instead of their own.
Hungry dogs and/or cats can also be quite destructive as they tear your house apart looking for food to eat.
Avoid A Potentially Dangerous Situation
Dogs can get very defensive about their food. When this happens, it is called food aggression.
Like any behavior, the severity of the reaction varies greatly from one dog to the next. In mild cases, the dog might only growl but usually, the dog will at least deliver a warning snap.
There are many reasons why food agression develops. It is not only an inherent trait or one that it is born with.
If your dog develops food agression over his or your cat’s bowl, it can be very dangerous and even deadly.
How To Keep Your Dog Out Of Your Cat’s Bowl
Now that you have an understanding about why your dog shouldn’t eat your cat’s food and vice versa, let’s talk about how to keep them out of each other’s bowls.
Keeping Your Cat Out of Your Dog’s Bowl
Dogs tend to be a little more intimidating about their food. They’re bigger so cats tend to be more sly and less pushy when it comes to eating their food unless the dog is small of course.
An easy solution to this is to take up your dog’s food bow when she or he is done. Make sure to put it in a container so that your cat can’t jump up and get it.
Even if it is in a cupboard, some cats are very smart and know how to get into intricate locations like cabinets and drawers. Bengal cats are especially prone to do this as they enjoy the challenge and see it as a game.
Keeping Your Dog Out of Your Cat’s Bowl
Although cats are more aggressive, dogs have the size to handle almost anything your cat will throw at it. That’s why your dog will likely completely ignore your cat if it is eating at the time of his/her invasion.
Sometimes they might be more careful and wait until you’re not looking. Since cats are obligate carnivores, we tend to leave their bowls out in the open.
Dogs take full advantage of this situation and scarf down the entire bowl before you ever realize it.
Since dogs are larger animals, they can reach fairly decent heights by standing on their hind legs.
This means that you’re going to have to figure out a good way to get your cat’s bowl a pretty decent height in the air. The bigger your dog is the higher you will need too set the bowl.
The best way to get your cat’s food bowl up high in a safe, secure way is to use a tall cat tree. You want to use one that is over 5 ft, preferably closer too 6 ft high.
All you need to do is be sure the cat tree has at least one high tower or a long ladder that your dog can’t climb up. Dogs are clumsy and lack the gripping capability that cats have so if you make it difficult for them, they won’t reach your cat’s food.
How To Get Your Cat’s Bowl Up High
Now you might be wondering, ‘how in the world am I going to get my cat’s bowl up high enough so that the dog can’t reach it?’
Well, I’m glad you’re asking that because it means you really want to resolve this problem which you may not know that its not too complicated of a solution.
All that you need to do is install a tall cat tree for your cat (or multiple ones if you have multiple cats). Cat trees are great for your cat for many reasons such as giving them a place to exercise and rest but in this case, we’re going to be using the cat tree to keep their bowls out of your dog’s reach.
A free-standing cat tree stands on the ground. Most are pretty inexpensive but these ones are also unstable.
It’s best to get your cata sturdy cat tree that is made out of solid wood for your cat’s safety as well as everyone in your household, including but not limited to, the dog 🙂
The one that I recommend for you in this instance, however, is a wall-mounted cat tree. That’s because they’re versatile and completely disconnect the cat tree from the ground so that there is no possible way for him/her to get up.
You can also get the cat bowl higher and many even come with platforms for you to put your cat’s food and water bowls.
The Best Wall-Mounted Cat Tree
If you haven’t heard of a wall-mounted cat tree before, you are probably skeptical about its integrity and stability.
While I can not speak for all cat trees, the one I stand behind is both sturdy and durable. It is also very versatile, meaning that you can customize it any way you like.
It comes with posts, platforms, walkways, scratching poles, etc. so you can really give your cat an intricate cat tree that engages all of its senses.
It has weight limits of 30 lbs and above depending on which structure we’re talking about so you can definitely be sure that it won’t fall off your wall.
The best wall-mounted cat tree that I am talking about is the units made by Catastrophic Creations. They use solid wood, fabric, and sisal to give your cat all s/he needs and more.
You will also love having a unique piece of artwork on the wall that most of your friends and family wouldn’t think is a cat tree.
I don’t recommend just buying any wall-mounted cat tree because, since its free hanging, you definitely don’t want to chance it falling. If it constructed wrong, it can also cause serious damage to your wall which may be quite costly.
To learn more about the CatastrophicCreations wall-mounted cat tree, you can click the button below.
I hope this information has helped you. If you have any questions, comments or other feedback, you can leave them in the comments box below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Besides the obvious size differences, large cats are more energetic and stronger than the average cat. Some are crossbred with wild cats which make them a lot more active and curious.
Regardless of their origin, though, they have a strong need to be as high as possible. In order to get them to the heights they crave without your fridge, stove hood or TV stand precariously in the mix (not to mention the valuables you rest there) you will need to provide them with high spaces where they feel safe and comfortable.
That’s why we’ve taken the time to put together this list of the best cat condos for large cats of 2019. Your cat will need specialized condos that are made for their heavier weight, stronger activity and their seemingly unquenchable thirst to be up high.
To be clear about the difference between cat condos and other cat furniture, cat condos have at least one condo on it whereas some other types of cat furniture do not have them.
How To Choose The Best Cat Condos For Large Cats
In order to choose the best cat condo for your cat, there are a couple of things you should know first. Failing to have this information can leave you with a cat tree that will break or fall which can lead to serious accidents.
The most important quality you need to look for in your large cat’s future cat condo is sturdiness and durability.
This means that the cat tree is built with solid wood and well-balanced. It will stand firm to your cat’s roughest play times and last through the constant claw battering.
If the listing doesn’t say what type of board the cat condo is made with you can pretty much assume it is constructed with pressed wood. Pressed wood is what most cat trees are made of.
It’s flimsy, cheap and some studies suggest that the binding agents they use in these boards can be toxic to your everyone in your household. Also, these cat trees wobble and topple from normal cat play so they are definitely not what you are looking for.
Once you have established that the cat condo is sturdy, the next thing you need to think about is the perching preference of your cat. By this, we mean where does your cat like to observe.
Up high? Mid-air? or on the ground?
Whichever their preferences may be, make sure the condo has perches at that level. Usually, large cats like to perch up high because it gives them a good vantage point and also a safe resting place where most things can’t get them.
On the same topic, the cat condo should have enough perches for your cat to jump down comfortably. There should also be a way that your cat can jump straight up if s/he wants to do that instead.
The last thing to consider is scratching areas. These should be high enough for your cat to fully extend its body, front legs included.
It should have vertical and horizontal areas to do so. The scratching medium changes for each.
For vertical scratching, make sure the cat condo has good quality, unoiled, natural sisal rope. It should also be thick so that your cat doesn’t cut right through it.
For horizontal scratching, the material is typically carpet. Cats love the feel of sinking their paws into it as you may have noticed them doing on yours.
Now that you know how to choose the best cat condo for your large cat, let’s have a look at our top 10 list 🙂
Cat Climbing Structure’s 10 Best Cat Condos For Large Cats
1. Armarkat Jungle Gym Cat Condo
If you’re looking for an affordable cat condo for large cats that is both tall and sturdy then this is the one for you. It is built with compressed wood which is not quite as sturdy as solid wood but it will do the trick for a temporary fix.
Another reason I can tell you this is because it has a huge weight limit of 60 lbs! That’s enough to get two large cats on this thing although it may not be as equipped for that in other areas.
Some other features you will love about this cat condo are:
It is very cat-friendly. Having two ramps means that any cat at any age can easily access even the highest point of the tree. That might not be as important for kittens but for seniors, it is a big deal because they will likely be unable to jump up anymore.
It is really tall. Large cats want to be up high and this tree gets them up 74 inches which is just over 6 ft. That is plenty of height for your cat to feel safe and secure from any threats while resting too.
The covering is tasteful and soft. Your cat will love the feel of it and you will love that it doesn’t clash with anything in your room because of its neutral color.
This cat condo is a really great option for your large cat. If you want to learn more about it, click the button below.
If your cat likes to sleep high off the ground, this cat condo is for you. It not only has one but two different condos at different levels, both being off the ground.
So your cat will be able to rest easy, knowing it is safely tucked away out of sight. It also has a couple of high tower perches where your cat can observe from.
Its design also makes your room work, no matter how big or small, by fitting into the corner of your room. That means that it will save space which is especially great for you if you live in a small home, apartment, condo, or other small living space.
It also means that the tree has a little extra from the walls with support. For even more security, you can easily fasten this unit to the wall with a couple of angle brackets and screws.
If you like this condo, click the button below for more info.
3. CozyCatFurniture Extra Large Cat Tower Activity Center
There’s no doubt about it! Your cat will love you 10 times more when you bring a little slice of wilderness into your living room with this cat condo.
Not only is it styled to be wild but it is also designed to feed your cat’s wild instincts. So whether your cat wants to climb, sleep, stalk, lounge mid-air, observe, etc. it can do it from where ever it wants to on this tree.
Another thing your cat will enjoy about this tree is the many things that it can use to interact with its instincts. Look closely and you’ll notice that some of the vines are ropes, scratching surfaces, or other toys.
This will keep your cat busy and active. And a busy, active cat is a happy cat who’s paws and claws will stay away from and off of other places they shouldn’t be.
If you want to learn more about this tree and what others are saying about it too, you can click the button below.
This picture does not do any justice to show you how grand this tree is. Standing at a massive height of 7 feet, your cat will no doubt enjoy the high vantage point it can obtain with this cat condo.
As equally stunning about this tree is the fine attention to detail including:
the skillful craftsmanship to make it look like an actual tree
the skillful craftsmanship to make it look like it is a tree reaching through the sky and the clouds
ascending to the pagoda (Asian temple) up in the clouds theme
Oh yes, did we mention that this cat tree is handmade? If you are like us and enjoy supporting our fellow Americans, then you will love to know that this tree is fully assembled and handmade here in the USA.
You will also enjoy that it comes to you fully assembled so you won’t have to spend any of your precious time and energy putting this massive cat condo together. Just remember to have a game plan on how you’ll fit it through your front door 🙂
There is so much more to say about this tree so if you want to learn more and hear what others are saying as well, click the button below.
If you’re looking for a cat condo that is super soft, super cozy and super sturdy, then this one is for you. The pillows, beds, and carpeting on this unit are all super soft.
Not only are they soft but they are huge! That means your big kitty will have lots of room to get comfortable whether it wants to just chill and look around or sleep.
Its also built to last a lifetime. All covering is reinforced to make sure that it stays in place no matter what tears happen under your cat’s onslaught.
The sisal rope is natural, unoiled and super thick and the plush carpeting is very high quality.
This unit also comes with a variety of color alternatives like black sisal or carpeting, which we think looks better and you might like it also but what we are showing here is the standard version.
For whatever reason, this brand separates all their colors as separate listings and make no mention that there are color variations.
If you want to see more black variations and find out more about this cat condo, you can click the button below.
This cat condo is a mischievous cat’s dream tree! The reason we say this is because of the tunnel at the top. Just look at it!
Your cat will have a good time playing in the tunnel, sticking its arms through the peaking hole to see what it feels. It could be another cat or even you!
You will also have fun with this as a playful interaction between you and your cat. This will help you bond closer to your cat and it is a really great way to destress believe it or not.
There are also lots of high and low places for your cat to sit and observe its surroundings. Be sure to put it on an outer wall of your home instead of the center of the floor and it will be an excellent addition for your furry baby.
If you want to learn more about this cat condo and read how much others love it too, click they button below!
When we see this cat tree, it says ‘strong, perfect yet simple’. If you’re looking for a cat tree that has all that your cat needs in a simple put together package, this is the cat condo for you and your large cat.
It has:
a full-length tower that your cat can shimmy straight up.
a three-quarter tower for your cat to take one huge leap onto
a cat condo that is off the ground for better security
and a perch in case your cat just wants to lay low
All of these features are vital for your cat’s well-being but you don’t have to have the most intricately designed cat condo to give it to him/her.
If you want to read what others are saying about this cat tree and read more details, click the button below!
All we can say is condos, condos and more condos! Your cat won’t run out of pathways, hideaways and areas to perch with this tree.
There are so much here that when they get bored of using it one way there are a million other ways to replace it so its like a continuum of choices that you don’t have to worry about rotating out like with your kid’s toys if you have any.
Having so many condos on a sturdy tree is also good for having multiple large cats in the same home as well. They can play and perch together or separate without causing conflicts over space and territory which is a big deal for you cats regardless of how friendly they are with each other.
If you are looking for a cat condo with multiple condos for your large cats then this is definitely the one for you. But to be sure you can click the button below to see what others are saying about it and also read more info.
This cat condo is any large cat’s and large cat parent’s dream come true. It is HUGE!
Standing at 6 ft tall it gets your cat to the high level it craves. And not only that, your cat has three choices of how it wants to spend its time up high too.
So it can mix and match depending on its mood or choose one and stick to it. Whatever the case may be, you will enjoy it being on this condo instead of tearing up or breaking something valuable.
Your cat also has so many varying level platforms to jump over. This will definitely give it the daily exercise that it needs to live a healthy lifestyle.
And with a weight limit of 143 lbs. this cat condo is big enough for multiple large cats to enjoy the same benefits.
This is and awesome cat condo and we think you your cat will love it. But you can also read about how much others love it too just to see for yourself.
Click on the button below to read what others are saying about this cat condo and find out more info.
10. Cat Tree King Tiger Cat Tree for Extra Large Cats
Have you gone through this entire list wishing for a different color than the same old neutral colors? If you are looking for something different this might be an option for you to try!
Since a lot of cat condos for large cats are handmade and don’t sell nearly as fast as the cheap cat trees, they tend to be neutrally colored. This last cat condo is a chance at something different.
It is a fully black tree. At first, we were on the fence about the idea but have since come to love it.
The velvety color will still blend in with your roomscape while adding a special flare to it at the same time. It is also pretty unique to have a black cat tree.
There’s just not many out there. And to get this, you’re not sacrificing on quality.
To be sure of it, click the button below to see how much other people are in love with this tree and if it might be a good fit for you cat.
I hope that you can see that there are many options for you and your large cat when it comes to cat condos. Always remember quality matters most.
If you haven’t found a cat condo that you like, you could take a look at our top 10 Best Cat Trees for Large Cats. They are also great quality cat trees built with your cat in mind.
And that’s all we have for you today. If you have any questions, comments or other feedback, please leave them in the comments box below and I’ll be sure to get back as soon as possible.
Bengal cats are the ‘wild’ cats of domestic cats. They’re high energy, playful large cats who aren’t easily entertained.
For this reason, many behaviors that you might think of as ‘bad’ can be your Bengal’s natural instincts. So before you get too frustrated with your sweet kitty, let’s talk about some good ways to handle serious Bengal cat behavior problems!
First, we’re going to discuss what your Bengal should be like then point out a few common reasons why she or he might be acting a little bit out of character. Then I’ll be sharing tools that you can use to, hopefully, bring some peace to your space.
Now let’s get a little or a lot more familiar with this exotic pet. 🙂
What Is The History of Bengal Cats?
Bengal cats are the result of the cross between a domestic cat and an Asian leopard. Records of this cross date back as far as the late 1800s but they did not begin to gain popularity until much later.
In the 1970s, Dr. Willard Centerwall of Loyola University was trying to breed cats that were immune to feline leukemia. Asian leopards have partial immunity to the disease so he began crossing them with domestic cats.
He was never able to create such a cat, however, it so happened that a breeder by the name of Jean Mill was also interested in the same cross. So instead of destroying the cats after the experiment was over, Dr. Centerwall gave the cats to Miss Mills even though they were sterile.
Miss Mills later found that it was only the males that were sterile and the females were still able to breed. Once she was able to find a male, spotted, domestic cat, she bred him with the females.
After selectively breeding the cats over the years with other breeders, the Bengal was recognized as its own breed starting in the 1980s. Its name is derived from the scientific name for the Asian leopard which is Prionailurus bengalensis.
The Bengal cat breed was further used to create another breed of cat called the Toyger which is the result of the crossing of Bengal cats and domestic shorthair cats.
Another cat breed related to the crossing with Asian leopard cats is the Egyptian Maus.
Bengal Cats Personality Traits & Temperament
If you are the average cat owner, you should make sure that your Bengal cat is at least 3 generations removed from the original Asian wildcat. This will make them more domestic and less wild. It is highly recommended that you obtain a generation 4 Bengal.
They are fairly large cats. Males can reach up to 15 lbs and females can reach up to 12 lbs.
Their bodies are very muscular, especially their hindquarters. Because of this, they are very powerful jumpers who are able to jump well over 4 feet.
They love to jump and climb over any surface they can possibly reach. Keeping them entertained is no easy feat.
Bengal cats are highly intelligent, affectionate and highly trainable. They are commonly referenced as being ‘dog-like’ because they love to play fetch, go for walks on a leash and will follow you around everywhere you go.
When raised from kittens correctly, they are both child and dog-friendly. Unlike most cats, the Bengal loves water and is a highly skilled hunter. It is recommended that you do not leave Bengals with other pets like fish, rodents or anything they might deem as prey.
Like most cats, if you want to have other cats in the house its best to start with two. This is especially important with Bengal cats because they are very territorial and will not share if they don’t have to from the start.
They also do not do well changing environments but that just means that if you do, you just have to work with them a little extra to get settled in.
Since they are very intelligent, Bengals get bored easily so if you can’t spend a lot of time with them it’s highly advisable to get two Bengals so that they can entertain each other. But you should also know that they are very smart cats and well know for getting into cabinets, drawers, high places, and stealing things that they find interesting.
They are very cunning cats. Some say even moreso than the famed Siamese cats which are pretty tricky cats.
Bengal kittens are also known to be very destructive. In general, Bengals are for experienced cat owners and should only be acquired from responsible, registered breeders since the way they are raised is very important to their success as house cats.
List of the Bengal Cats Personality Traits & Temperament
affectionate
energetic
highly intelligent and capable of solving complex puzzles
highly trainable
social and very vocal
good with dogs and kids if exposed to them early as kittens
loves the water
athletic
loyal
muscular build
playful
Causes of Serious Bengal Cat Behavior Problems
Now that you know more about the Bengal cat you can see how some behaviors can easily be mistaken for ‘bad’ behaviors but are just part of this breed’s natural being. For instance, maybe your Bengal might keep jumping on your TV stand and knock things over or get into your kitchen cabinets.
In these cases, your cat is being itself. At the same time though, you probably don’t want him/her in your kitchen cabinets or they may have broken something really valuable so its no consultation to leave it there.
Before we come up with a solution, let’s discuss their bad behavior in more details.
Serious Bengal Cat Behavior Problems Due To Illness
Whenever your pet is acting out of character, the first place to look is their health. Just like you don’t feel yourself when you’re sick, neither will they.
If you suspect that your cat is sick, injured or in some sort of discomfort, take him/her to see your vet right away.
Although Bengals are known to be healthy cats, there are some diseases that they commonly contract that you should be aware of. Make sure to mention them when you go to their vet appointment because some require extensive testing to diagnose and only the vet is able to do that.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a condition that creates the abnormal thickening of the muscles of the heart’s walls. It is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it is so hard to detect.
It is genetically inherited but can go generations without showing due to its ability to be both a dominant and recessive trait.
If your cat has this disease, it is usually detected during auscultation of a physical exam. It can only be diagnosed with radiographs or an echocardiogram.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Cataracts
Since both of these conditions are inherited, you can decrease your cat’s chances of developing them by verifying the breeder you got them from screened their parents for them.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is the degeneration of your cat’s photoreceptors in their eyes. Cataracts are the clouding of the eyes which you can detect visually.
Both conditions can lead to impaired vision and blindness.
Anesthetic Allergies
Anesthetic agents are drugs used to relax the body and reduce pain. They are commonly used during and after surgeries.
If your cat has this allergy you can find specialized locations equipped to perform surgeries on your cat.
Luxating Patellas
The patella is another word for the ball part of the knee. What happens in this condition is that the knee ball is dislocated.
This can cause your cat to struggle with walking and may lead to other conditions like degenerative arthritis.
Kidney Disease and Renal Failure
As a species, cats are prone to kidney issues especially as they age. The risk of issues developing is increased if your cat has already had stones or another type of kidney infection.
A sign that your cat might be having kidney issues is if you notice an increase in urination.
Problems with their Skin and Coat
Psychogenic alopecia is a condition where the cat overgrooms itself. It is usually associated with some sort of stressor like boredom, change of environment, etc.
Hair loss can occur with this condition as a result of allergies to fleas, food, their environment, etc.
Again, if you suspect that your cat is struggling in any way, take him/her to the vet.
Serious Bengal Cat Behavior Problems Due To Boredom
Since Bengal cats are very intelligent, they need to have toys that keep their brain engaged or they will tire from it easily. Of course, even if it is a difficult puzzle, your Bengal will likely still get tired of it at some point.
This cat is very hard to keep entertained and will constantly look for new activities. They also have a strong need to climb.
If you can not provide them with both, they will tear your house down to find it. Bored cats can also be quite destructive, aggressive and/or on edge because they are unable to release their energy.
Boredom can also lead to psychological problems like anxiety, depression, psychogenic alpenacia, etc.
Bad Behavior Associated with Territory Struggles
Bengal cats are highly territorial, especially if they were originally by themselves. It is recommended that if you plan on having more cats in your home with your Bengal that you get two right off the bat.
This goes for both males and females whether they are fixed or not. Of course, decreased testosterone will make a male cat less aggressive but cats will always have a territory for hunting reasons.
Your Cat Is Bad Because It Can’t Engage In Nature
In general, cats have a strong need to be outdoors. For Bengal cats, this need is even more heightened.
It wants to be outdoors engaging with nature. By this I mean s/he wants to:
be in the fresh air
soak up the sun
sniff around
hunt (of course you’re not going to actually let it though)
roam (around your yard)
and get into just about anything it can sink its paws into
Be aware though, that you can NOT let your Bengal cat free roam. It is very dangerous for the cat but the environment as well.
I’ll be talking about solutions soon so please keep reading. I don’t want to get off topic 🙂
Unexpected Changes Bring About Unexpected Behaviors
The Bengal cat does not do well to change. For this reason, if you move homes or have a baby or some other change happens in your household, it would be wise to take some extra time to help your Bengal adjust.
You can imagine how changes you don’t like make you feel.
irritable
lonely
scared
longing
etc.
Your Bengal is feeling a lot of these too and probably even more that it can’t verbally explain even though it might try.
Being Raised By Irresponsible or Inexperienced Breeders
A lot of times when people get things wrong about pet care, others turn into crazy, bashing machines. If your cat was raised incorrectly, please don’t auto-bash the breeder.
S/He may be irresponsible but they may also be inexperienced. In reality, everyone has to start somewhere and at some point every breeder was inexperienced.
That being said, there are a couple of things your Bengal needed to learn as a kitten in order to be able to fit into the domestic lifestyle. Some of these things are:
bite inhibition and that hands are not toys
being adjusted to children
being adjusted to dogs
resisting the urge to hunt in your fish tank or bird aviary
proper interaction with people
If your cat has not learned these important skills, his or her ‘bad’ behavior may be very difficult to reverse.
Solutions for Serious Bengal Cat Behavior Problems
I think the easiest one of the list to find an immediate plan of action for is an illness. I also should have added injury to the section.
If you suspect anything is ailing your Bengal’s health and physical well-being in any way, take him/her to the vet immediately. They will also be able to refer you to specialists if need be including those for certain body conditions but also for behavioral help.
Giving up your cat or any pet is never an option in my book. Ever.
Boredom & Territory
Though these two issues are very different, their solutions are pretty similar. So I’m combining to spare you from having to read the same thing twice, lol.
The good thing about cats is that their territory can be expended horizontally. This works two-fold with Bengal cats because it also gives them a better place to stretch their limbs than atop your cabinets and high appliances.
To do this, all you need to do is get a bunch of DIFFERENT cat trees and furniture in your home. The important part here is that you get the good ones.
Yes, you’re going to have to spend some money but it will be money well spent. You will also need to use a combination of wall-mounted and free-standing cat trees.
If you have to choose one, go with wall-mounted cat trees. They will give your cat everything it can get from a free-standing one and you can get the highest with them.
But of course, since we are talking about the craftiest cat breed, we’re going to need some additional help. The next thing you will need to build up is toys.
Like the cat furniture, not just any toys will do either. You will need sturdy cat toys that are puzzles or have some element of figuring out how to use them.
They may even prefer children’s toys as opposed to cat toys. You know the ones where you have to pull out the right shapes or something like that.
Another good toy for them is treat toys that make them think about how to get the treat out. Just be sure to secure the opening mechanism so they don’t cheat!
Helping Your Cat To Adjust to Knew Changes
Its always tough to adjust to changes in your home. If you’re expecting a new child or pet, try to get your Bengal cat used to whichever before their actual arrival.
You can do this by getting a crying doll baby or barking dog toy.
If you are moving to a new location, try to get your cat used to the new area first. Even if it is far away, get your Bengal used to some of the smells and sites that it might encounter.
For instance, if you’re moving close to a beach, get your Bengal used to the salt water smell. If you are moving to an apartment, get it used to indoor plants and take it for walks.
If your cat becomes too stressed, try some kitty aromatherapy. You can find tons of information by doing a quick Google search.
If all else fails, try to seek assistance from a cat behaviorist in your area. They will be best equipped to advise you on what your next steps may be.
The most important part is understanding your cat’s situation. You will probably have your own feelings too and that’s ok. Realize that your cat will as well.
Giving Your Cat Room To Engage With Nature
Engaging with nature is an important part of cat culture. That’s why the spend a lot of time near windows and might even howl the door down to be let outside (which you should not do without supervision).
The good thing about Bengals is that they will follow you. They will also walk on a leash.
Take some time out of your day to take your Bengal cat outside. Do not let him/her go outside alone if you really don’t have time.
Summer is a little easier than winter because the days are longer. If you really can’t spend the time taking him/her outside, try getting an outdoor cat enclosure installed on your home.
Make sure that the screen part is cat-proof. You can have these custom made too and bigger is better when it comes to Bengal cats.
If you’re looking for more info on outdoor cat enclosures, click the button below.
That’s all I have for you on this subject. I hope that you have found it informative and helpful. If you have your own tips, please feel free to share them.
And of course, if you have any questions, please also ask them in the comments box below.
The important thing here is to be open to your Bengal cat’s personality and traits. It is a high energy, wild child that loves to play.
When you feed his/her instincts, you will create a more stable environment within your home. So to recap:
First of all, make sure nothing is ailing your cat by getting him/her/them examined at the vet and cat behaviorist experienced with Bengal cats.
Then in addition to their recommendations, install a variety of good cat trees for Bengal cats. Wall-mounted cat trees are a must with Bengal cats.
Next add some TLC to your Bengal’s life. Give it some space of its own (like cat trees) and take it outside for parts of the day.
Your Bengal cat is likely not a bad cat at all. With a little patience and work, I’m sure you can get some control over your home.
Click the button below to read more about the best cat trees for Bengals and I’ll talk to you soon! Bye!
The Bengal is an energetic, intelligent cat who loves the duty of being your companion. It has a sturdy, muscular body that allows it to reach some pretty interesting places in your home like chandeliers and atop stove hoods.
Though this sweet cat can probably be called ‘man’s best friend’ of the cat kind, it needs to be able to have plenty of space to climb and play or you’ll never see the best of this breed. So I’ve taken my weekend to hand-select the best cat trees for Bengal cats to save you some time and energy. 🙂
On each cat tree breakdown, I will explain why your Bengal cat will love the tree as well as include additional information you need to know about choosing the right cat furniture for him/her.
This list is in descending order which means that my #1 recommendation is #10. I’m not sure how to do a countdown in HTML but I’ll be creating a video for better clarity at some point.
All this to say, you’re gonna have to read through all 10 to see the #1 cat tree for your Bengal.
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Your curious Bengal cat will have fun dashing about this tree. The ropes and hanging toys make it interactive so s/he will be able to really engage with their instincts.
The large platforms are made for jumping,playing and climbing. They also make big landing areas for your cat on it’s way down the tree.
The Armarkat brand is great if you’re on a budget and looking for a fairly sturdy cat tree which is an essential feature for your cat’s needs. Of course, there are better options out there so don’t settle for second best just yet.
Here’s the breakdown of the Armarkat Cat Tree Furniture Condo, 72 in:
Size (L x W x H): 53 in (134.62 cm) x 22 in (55.88 cm) x 72 in (182.88 cm)
Levels: 3 levels
Towers: 2 towers
Condos: 1 condos
Toys Included: Yes, ball, rope
Structure Material: Pressed wood
Covering Material: Faux Fur
Type of Cats This Is For: Tree dwelling cats only.
Scratching Post Material: Sisal rope
Assembly Details: easy assembly, manual included
Warranty: 6-month warranty on everything except toys. The manufacturer will replace any part of the tree for free within 6 months or for a small fee after 6 months.
I wasn’t sure he would like all the levels, but he really does. He uses different parts of it depending on the time of day or what he wants to play.
He’s a Bengal cat, so he’s fast jump high and is wickedly hard on the cat tree. It’s held up every step of the way! It was a chunk of change, but worth it! I spent hours researching all the different kitty condos and cat tree houses. So glad I went with this one!!! – CD
I like this brand because I had one previously for over 8 years and I thought it was time to get a brand new clean replacement. This model is sturdy as well.
I have 2 bengals that play hard on it and it doesn’t shake much at all..Good Price on here too! – A. Nappi
9. New Cat Condos Premier Solid Wood Skyscraper Cat Tree
Usually I am not an advocate for tower styled cat trees but in this case, I am. Bengals love to jet straight up high poles.
As a matter of fact, they can scale to heights 3 times its length in a matter of seconds! Of course, you know this already but its no easy feat.
This tree has two, long, 72 in (6 ft.) poles for your cat(s) to do just that. The intricate way the curved beds alternate will also help it to engage its mind and natural intelligence as it runs over them.
This tree won’t budge either. Its made of solid wood and top notch, eco-friendly materials.
Another benefit for you is that you won’t have to assemble anything as it comes fully put together. It is made right here in the USA so the only problem you may have is how to fit it in the door, haha! 🙂
Here’s the breakdown of the New Cat Condos Premier Solid Wood Skyscraper Cat Tree:
Size (L x W x H): 20 in (51 cm) x 20 in (51 cm) x 72 in (183 cm)
Colors: Beige, Brown, Blue, Green, Gray
Levels: 5 levels
Towers: 1 tower
Condos: 0 condos but 1 bed at the top
Structure Material: Solid wood similar to what our homes are built with
Covering Material: Household carpet
Type of Cats This Is For: Adult cats except for cave-dwelling cats (cats that like to be hidden more than most)
Scratching Post Material: Unoiled sisal rope
Assembly Details: no assembly required. Handbuilt in the USA & comes assembled.
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 110 customer reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
Who this thing is HUGE. No cat, or human, is going to topple that thing over.
Takes up a lot of space, but works great for multiple large cats, also the carpet cleans up easily when there is a mess. – Meg
Excellent quality overall especially for the price. Very sturdy, nice and tall, and does not take up much room with its small footprint.
Has no silly or unnecessary embellishments. Our large male cat climbs the exterior posts of the whole tree at high speed and the unit stays put.
8. Go Pet Club Huge 87.5 in. Cat Tree Condo House Furniture
Since Bengals are highly intelligent cats and need puzzles and other mind-engaging activities in addition to cat trees, this one by Go Pet Club is an amazing choice! You can see how it has tunnels, stairs, houses and toys that work together to make very intricate pathways.
And at 87+ inches, this tree is sure to get your Bengal to the heights it craves to be.
The only thing about Go Pet Club trees is that they aren’t the sturdiest of trees. Though this one doesn’t seem to have that problem, if it does, the wobbling can be worked around by fastening it to a wall with angle brackets.
Just be sure that you’re not drilling into a wall that has live wires running through it. Might be better to hire a professional to do it if you’re not handy in this area.
Here’s the breakdown of theGo Pet Club Huge 87.5 in. Cat Tree Condo House Furniture:
Size (L x W x H): 42 in (106.68 cm) x 23.5 in (59.69 cm) x 87.5 in (222.25 cm)
Levels: 4 levels
Towers: 2 towers
Condos: 5 condo
Ramps: 1 ramp, 1 swing
Toys Included: Yes, balls, ropes
Structure Material: Pressed wood
Covering Material: Faux Fur
Type of Cats This Is For: Tree and bush dwelling adult cats and kittens
Scratching Post Material: Sisal rope
Assembly Details: easy assembly, manual included, parts are not labeled so it will take some figuring to put together
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 4 out of 5 stars, 4,148 customer reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
My cats love this! Worth every penny.
Sturdy construction and very easy to follow instructions for assembly. My cats are large, and it does not wobble when all of them are on it at the same time. Highly recommend. – Amazon Customer
Worth Every Cent. We have five cats that live outdoors.
This Cat Tree House is super sturdy. It is also very heavy.
With five full grown largecats, this is the right choice. I purchased a cheaper one and regretted it. Glad I found this one. – Carrie C. Mustin
Go Pet Club has a cat tree that looks just like this one…don’t get it. This tree is much more sturdy and will stand up to your Bengal’s high-velocity play and added weight.
This one also has beautiful pathways that your cat can dash up on. It also comes with toys to engage its mind so that s/he won’t become bored.
You cat will also enjoy how the back poles go straight up. It can shimmy over them like Bengal cats love to do.
Here’s the breakdown of the Armarkat Jungle Gym Cat Condo Scratcher:
Size (L x W x H): 50 in (127 cm) x 26 in (67 cm) x 74 in (188 cm)
This is our 3rd largecat condo. It is smaller than the first 2 that we bought.
We particularly like the 2nd large condo that we bought, which was made by Armarkat, so when we wanted to buy our 3rd one, we looked for this brand. Assembly was not painful and within half an hour the condo was put together. …
The condo is nice and sturdy, with the enclosures and resting platforms large enough for our 2 largecats. – Bargain Hunter
6. Prestige Cat Trees’ Neutral Staggered Cat Tower Cat Tree
Do you see what I see? I hope so or maybe you should ask your Bengal kitty to show you instead 😉
Two tall, uninterrupted poles. That’s like a Bengal’s dream!
And this tree is built of solid wood so you know it’s not going anywhere as it does so. This is the shortest tree on this list falling just under 6 ft BUT that is still plenty of height for you Bengal to enjoy.
The materials are high quality and pet-friendly so you know your cat and household will be safe.
Here’s the breakdown of the Prestige Cat Trees’ Neutral Staggered Cat Tower Cat Tree:
Size (L x W x H): 23 in (59 cm) x 23 in (59 cm) x 71 in (180 cm)
This tree is meant to go in a corner which means it is great for a free corner in your room that you don’t have anything. It is also a good choice if you lived in a small living space like an apartment or small house.
This cat tree gives your Bengal cat lots of different options to lay from hammocks to large condos.
It comes with rope and toys for your cat to play with while it does its thing although you might want to add something more challenging since Bengals are super smart!
There are tons of areas for your cat to scratch on both horizontally and vertically. If you’re looking to save even more space, you could try a wall-mounted cat tree which is coming up in a little bit.
Here’s the breakdown of the CozyCatFurniture XL Climbing Cat Tree:
Size (L x W x H): 25 in (63.5 cm) x 25 in (63.5 cm) x 73 in (186 cm)
Colors: beige, mocha
Levels: 4
Towers: 3
Condos: 2
Ramps: 0
Toys Included: Yes
Structure Material: Wood
Covering Material Soft Plush
Type of Cats This Is For: Healthy adult cats. May not be suitable for older cats especially if they have mobility issues.
4. CatTreeKing Empire Cat Tree for Large Cats, 72 in.
When it comes to the best cat trees for large cats, Cat Tree Kings is the best there is. Their beds are massive and comfortable.
The material is soft plush and the tree is built of solid wood. Your Bengal will love leaping from pillar to post on this beautiful piece of furniture made for him!
There is also plenty of room for more cats even if you have multiple Bengals, other large cats or whatever combination of cats you have with an impressive weight limit of 143 lbs!
Here’s the breakdown of the CatTreeKing Empire Cat Tree for Large Cats, 72 in:
Size (L x W x H): 47 in (119.38 cm) x 24 in (60.96 cm) x 72 in (182.88 cm)
Levels: 5 levels
Towers: 5 towers
Condos: 1 condo, 2 hammocks, 1 bed
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: Extra-strength ABS
Covering Material: Heavy-duty plush carpet
Type of Cats This Is For: Suitable for All adult cats of all sizes.
Scratching Post Material: Sisal rope
Assembly Details: easy assembly, manual included
Warranty: TBD
Rank: 5 out of 5 stars, 6 customer reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
These are reviews by large cat owners:
This is the best cat tree design I’ve ever seen. It is so well made super sturdy and my bengals love it. I will be replacing all of my scratchers with ones from Cattreeking. Thank you – Stacey Conway
The cats are in love !! The only Cat tree I have ever had that they can jump on and it doesn’t wobble! Very sturdy and they love all the climbing obstacles.
Definitely recommend to any cat loving family’s that want to invest in something that will last. – Joella White
3. CozyCatFurniture Extra Large Cat Tower Tree Activity Center
Bengals are natural jungle cats. They long to be one with nature, prowling atop the mighty trees of the forest.
This tree gives your Bengal cat EXACTLY that with the same sturdy, well-built structure you can expect from Cozy Cat Furniture.
The design of this is also one of a kind and awesome. It has stairs for older cats andkittens to access when needed and your inner-circle will love how it has this ancient Mayan temple/tomb feel going on with it.
It really reminds me of the setting in that movie…umm..(one sec while I boggle some people’s memory banks since mine is failing atm and Google search for it)…Ah!Congo!
Ok, maybe it’s in Africa but the feel is the same. You get the picture 😉
Here is the breakdown of the CozyCatFurniture Extra Large Cat Tower Tree Activity Center:
Size (L x W x H): 46 in (117 cm) x 25 in (64 cm) x 78 in (199 cm)
Colors: Green & Brown, Blue & Beige
Levels: 4
Towers: 2
Condos: 2
Ramps: 1 set of stairs
Toys Included: Yes, ball
Structure Material: wood
Covering Material: soft plush
Type of Cats This Is For: All cats and kittens but be careful with kittens on the higher levels
This tree is a 7 footer! Its the tallest cat tree in this list and one of the most unique pieces of cat furniture around.
Your Bengal cat won’t have to use the chandeliers anymore with this tree. It has lots of towers or tower-like areas to quickly shimmy up and hold on to view its surroundings.
You will get plenty of compliments with this tree that is inspired by Asian temples secluded high atop mountains in the clouds. The only place higher than the treetops so you know your Bengal will enjoy this unit!
Here’s the breakdown of the New Cat Condos Premiere 7′ Tall Cat Playground:
Size (L x W x H): 40 in (102 cm) x 48 in (122 cm) x 84 in (213.5 cm)
Levels: 4
Towers: 1
Condos: 1
Ramps: 0
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: solid wood
Covering Material: plush household grade carpet and unoiled sisal rope
Type of Cats This Is For: All adult cats including large breeds and overweight cats
Assembly Details: no assembly required. Comes fully assembled and is made in the United States! 😀
Warranty: not specified
Rank: 5 out of 5 stars
What people are saying:
I have a very happy [big] cat. Be prepared for 2 things.
It is tuff to get in the door and the delivery people where ill-prepared to deliver it into the house, they left it on the front porch. – Carrin
This is the BEST cat tree-ever! I had SIX kitties playing on it all at once!
It is gigantic, well-constructed and looks wonderful! The “movers” skillfully brought it right into the house for me!
While I was tempted too put this one at the end, I decided not to because I don’t want you to get bored of reading and miss this awesome opportunity for your Bengal cat.
Out of all the cat trees available, the best cat trees for Bengal cats is by far wall-mounted cat trees. Now I know that having something on your wall might not seem too appealing and/or secure but level with me for a moment.
Your Bengal wants to be up as high as s/he can. Using big clunky trees can sometimes take up a lot of space that you might not have especially in smaller rooms like bedrooms…unless you’re a millionaire with a million dollar house…and you might be…
But seriously, you can really engage your cat’s instincts with a wall-mounted cat tree. They also would prefer to be on the outermost walls of any room in order to get the best vantage points.
I’ve done a full review on this already which you can read by clicking here. Or you can read more info on Amazon because they have several other models as well.
Here’s the breakdown of the CatastrophiCreations Deluxe Cat Playplace:
Size (L x W x H): varies because you can customize it to be the way you want.
Condos: 0 condos but they do have a cat bed that you can buy seperately from their website along with other interesting add-ons.Click here to learn more.
Ramps: Depends how you customize it. You can create a ramp if you wanted to.
Toys Included: No
Structure Material: Floating solid wood planks
Covering Material: Canvas fabric
Type of Cats This Is For: All adult cats
Scratching Post Material: Sisal
Assembly Details: assembly might be a little challenging but they have a great instruction manual that anyone can understand.
Warranty: not specified
Rank: 5 out of 5 stars, 6 reviews
What People Are Saying on Amazon:
This looks really cool on my wall. I bought a few extra pieces and re-arrange some things to fit it the way I wanted on the wall and its great. Cats love it!
They chase each other over the top of it all the time. I’ve added plants (not in picture) and it looks fantastic! It was easy to install but took a while since there were so many pieces.
I will probably add more throughout the house over time.- Paul
We bought this and then changed our mind about where to mount. We ended up splitting it up into smaller sections. I like that it’s modular and you have a lot of freedom with how to mount it. – Clint
If you’re just reading the full article before you make your decision, I totally encourage you to continue to do so! But if you’ve reached this point because you haven’t found a cat tree that you like, I have some more you might be interested in.
A while back, we did a similar list like this titled ‘The Best Cat Trees for Large Cats‘. This post includes sturdy cat trees that are made of solid wood.
So I thought this article would be helpful to you on your search as well. You can click on the button below to get started and if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comments box of any post on this site 🙂
As the video points out, Bengals are strong, energetic cats that love to run and jump around. They are notorious for climbing all over any and everything that they can.
Bengals want to be as high as they possibly can, no two buts about it. They are extremely intelligent and can open cupboard doors as well as figure out complex puzzles.
It is important that you provide your Bengal with more than one cat tree. This way, s/he will have safe places to perch and play rather than knocking over your valuables or potentially burning your house down.
In addition to cat trees, you can take your Bengal out for walks. It seems as though they are really easy to leash train and they do seem more dog-like than a cat in a lot of ways.
How To Afford Your Cat Trees for Bengal Cats
Some people have the money to buy these trees and some people don’t. Where ever you fall, it is fine.
This section is for you if you don’t have the money upfront to pay for one of these cat trees. The WORST thing you can do is settle for a cheap cat tree.
They definitely won’t work for these wild cats and can potentially put others in your home in danger as well if they fall or a shard of wood breaks off, etc. Trust me, its not a nice feeling to have a piece of wood stuck in your toe and its not the easiest thing to prove either because your blood saturates the board and its hard to find.
Sorry if that’s disturbing but its true. That’s my own personal experience and it is 50 times more painful than it sounds.
I’d definitely rather you avoid that all together so please do not take it lightly. Your Bengal needs solid cat trees designed for large cats.
Save Your Coinage
Never underestimate the power of stashing your coin. You will be surprised how it adds up.
I do this so much, my three year old daughter does it too. Most people are embarrassed about coin and I fail to understand why.
On average, saving all of your coin from purchases throughout that year can net you a savings upwards of 500 $s. That’s plenty for a couple of cat trees.
Save $20 From Each Paycheck
This is another method that I think is underutilized. Its so easy to get locked into the ‘I want this now’ trend that we forget that in a couple months from now, we’re still going to be alive, hopefully.
Don’t give me no sob story about you don’t have it either. This is a bit of tough love from me but chances are that you make tons of unnecessary purchases whether ifs coffee, food, clothes, etc.
Yes. You CAN afford to put aside 20 bucks per paycheck.
After 10 paychecks, you’ll have $500! And you don’t have to limit yourself to $20, you can make it as much as you want.
Buy One Here and One There
This goes along with what I was saying about wanting things to be instant. You might be able to afford one now or after a couple paychecks, so get the one.
Then next month, not the same month, get another. Repeat this process and you will be surprised how much cat furniture you will have collected in your home.
The important part about affording cat trees if you can’t is thinking long term instead of short term. Apart from these tips, I’m sure you can probably find lots of money-saving systems and plans online if you Google them.
Don’t stop at ‘I can’t afford’. Go on to ‘what do I need to do (legally & morally) to afford’.
How To Choose the Best Cat Trees for Bengal Cats
Since Bengal cats are above average weight for cats and super energetic, you will need something a little more sturdy than what you will typically find at pet stores. You definitely want a sturdy tree that is designed to handle the extra weight.
built with or the ability to easily add activities and toys for your cat
Your cat tree’s support is one of the most important features as you don’t want it to fall over on your cat, children, or other family members or guests to your home. It can be very dangerous to opt for a ‘cheap cat tree’ that is unstable, poorly built and not suited for cats over 10 lbs.
If you have multiple cats, buy for the largest cat. The good thing about cats is they are natural born jumpers, so a small cat will be able to jump around on bigger, taller platforms comfortably.
But a big cat will feel cramped on a small tree. If you have really young kittens, add ramps so that they can climb up on lower sections.
How To Tell If The Cat Tree Is Stable Enough To Support Your Large Cat
In order to be sure that the cat tree is stable, first of all, look at the base. You want a square base or a rectangular one that is almost square meaning that there is only a couple of inches in the difference between the length and width.
Next, check out how it is stacked. You want it to pretty much be stacked over the base. If it has too much going on outside of the base, then it might be unstable. A branch outside of the base won’t be a deal breaker. Just make sure there’s not too much and an opposing one is also a plus. Notice how the trees that we recommend all follow this rule.
On the same subject as stacking, make sure that there is at least a base at the bottom or middle if there is one at the top. If there is only one at the top, figure how much weight you think the bottom is. If it is bottom heavy, it will probably be ok but if it is top heavy, you might want to reconsider. If in doubt, keep searching. You have tons of options 🙂
Check out the material it is made from. Plywood is preferable as it is the strongest material, however, many cat trees are not plywood. The more common choice is compressed wood but make sure it is a good quality as they’re not all made equal.
Cat Tree Materials
Cat trees are made of specific materials that most cats like. The main materials that you need to know about are ones used for the:
structure
covering
scratching posts
Let’s talk about each individually.
Best Structural Materials for Cat Trees for Bengal Cats
All cat climbing structures are made from wood. Typically, there are three main types. They are:
Plywood
Compressed wood or MDF (medium density fiber board)
Particle Board
The best cat trees for large breed cats should be preferably made of plywood. Plywood is solid wood.
It is the strongest and sturdiest wood which means that the structure will be able to handle your cat’s activity, weight, etc.
Compressed wood and particle wood are sort of the same as far as makeup. They’re both made of pieces of wood like shavings, clippings, and other forms of scrap wood. The biggest difference comes with their density and binding agent.
Compressed wood is the safest. Wood pieces are ‘glued’ together with wax and lignin (you can think of it as an organic glue). Not only is it eco-friendly but it is a very strong board that is durable and creates the best structural integrity for cat trees, etc.
Particle board is held together with binding agents that contain formaldehyde resin. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen but not to worry, there are different levels of it that are used in boards.
There are two types of particle boards and depending on the type determines the level of formaldehyde used in the binding agent. The safe type of particle board is E1. It is categorized as being ‘ecologically clean’ as it contains a very very small amount.
E2, on the other hand, maybe more of concern as it contains higher levels of formaldehyde. It is illegal to use this board to build children’s furniture. The levels vary but the safest versions come from Austria or Germany.
When choosing your cat’s tree or other furniture, it is important to take into consideration the type of board it is made up of. If it is made up of E2 particle board keep in mind that not only your cat is exposed to the formaldehyde but you and your household will be as well.
If you cannot get a tree that is made of plywood, compressed wood which is also called engineered wood or MDF, is a close second. If the structure is made of particle board, make sure that is E1 (sometimes called E0).
Best Covering Materials for Cat Trees for Bengal Cats
Cats are hunters so it makes sense that they will like materials that feel like the prey they are driven to hunt. This can be hard to think of your furry friend but his/her instinct is to catch and hold other animals.
Let’s dissect this a bit. Cats like to hunt small animals like birds and rodents. If you think about what covers these animals, in a general sense, they are soft and plush.
That is the same feel your cat’s tree or other climbing structures should have, especially in the areas where they sleep and play. Of course, this excludes the scratching post which we will discuss in a little bit.
Covering a cat tree with real animal fur would be expensive and controversial to some so most of them are covered in faux (fancy word for fake) fur materials.
Popular covering materials include:
faux fur
faux fleece
plush
carpet
There is such a thing as faux leather, however, I don’t think this would be a good choice for an entire structure. If you are looking at a structure and it has a small section or attachment with faux leather, that might be pretty nice for your cat.
Best Scratching Materials for Cat Trees for Bengal Cats
Much like every other part of the cat tree, condo, etc. the scratching posts need to be able to stand up to heavy activity. Scratching is a natural cat behavior.
Common materials used to compose scratching posts or boards are:
Sisal rope
Sisal carpet
Natural cardboard
Sisal is a natural plant fiber that can be spun into rope or made into carpet fibers. It is generally sturdier than natural cardboard but not necessarily favored over natural cardboard.
Since sisal is a stronger material and cat trees are built to last a long time (hopefully), it tends to be the material of choice for the attached scratching posts. You will usually find it wrapped around all or most posts of cat tree condos.
Since most of these posts are vertical, it is recommended to still purchase flat or angled scratching posts as cats enjoy scratching in different positions. This will save your furniture from being their scratching post for good!
Comparison Guide to the Best Cat Trees for Bengal Cats
Here is a recap of the trees we’ve selected for you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
varies because you can customize it to be the way you want.
levels and posts vary on your customization. Solid wood and natural fabric.
$$ - $$$$$
5 out of 5
I hope this information has been helpful. If you have any questions, comments or other feedback, please leave them in the comments box below.
Still looking for more? Here’s our the tree of all cat trees that we recommend as the best sturdy cat trees for large cats. It will last your cat’s lifetime and won’t budge an inch even during the roughest play sessions!
Maine coon cats are well known for their gentle, playful nature. These big cats are known as ‘gentle giants’ and one of the most sought-after cat breeds in the world today.
Sounds like the best cat to have so you get one! Then you bring it home and s/he’s anything but friendly.
Its biting and hissing and everything opposite of nice leaving you confused and wondering ‘why my Maine coon is mean‘. Well, friend, you’ve come to the right site because we’re going to have an in-depth discussion about your cat’s behavior.
See, Maine coons are very loveable cats but there is a caveat to its personality that you need to be aware of right now. The good news is that most of the culprits for his/her unwelcomed behavior are pretty easy to fix but some might be more serious and need more serious attention.
Before we continue, I encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter to get the best tips and projects to create a safe, healthy environment for your cat which will help to alleviate problems like this (if they’re not medically related)!
The Maine coon breed originated in the United States. It is believed to have appeared around the 1850s when long-haired European cats bred with American shorthaired cats.
As a result, their offspring were large, sturdily built cats with fluffy, ring-shaped tails that resembled a raccoon’s tail. Thus their name, Maine coon, is a combination between their place of origin (Maine) and the shortened form of the word raccoon, coon.
They were very popular in rural environments in the northeastern states due to their excellent rodent hunting skills.
In 1980, they were exported to the United Kingdom where they have also gained popularity.
In 1982, they began to be internationally recognized as a purebred cat.
Maine Coon Cats Personality Traits and Breed Standards
As I mentioned previously, Maine coons are known to be good-natured cats. Now let’s dissect this vague statement to see what is really meant by it.
Maine coon Physical Traits
These cats are huge and their bodies are built to be exceptional hunters. Depending on it the cat is male of female, they can weight between 11 – 25 lbs.
Of course, the females are smaller than the males but they both have large, muscular bodies and legs with long, fluffy tails.
Their ears are large and pointed with tufts that grow up over their tips which give them a Lynx-like appearance.
Features that make Maine coons distinct are the shape around their eyebrow area, makes an ‘M’, their noses are square and clearly separated from their forehead and they have extra fur on their paws that help them move easier in the snow.
Their fur is denser in their hindquarters, chest, and belly. It is shorter in the head, shoulders, and legs.
They also have a thick undercoat that keeps them warm and dry in the snow. Their fur should be soft and silky to the touch and requires daily grooming.
Maine Coon Life Expectancy
You can expect that your Maine coon cat will live between 9 and 15 years old. Of course, this depends on their health and unforeseen circumstances that may cause early deaths but we don’t want to think about that right now.
Maine Coon Cat Personality
Maine coons are very unique in terms of cats. While they are still untamed hunters, their drive is even more amped up than the average cat.
They are also more skilled and good at hunting.
Nevertheless, they are very sweet, friendly, playful and sociable cats.
As I mentioned before, this comes with a caveat. That is that they must be properly socialized as kittens and males especially should be fixed as their hormones make them even more territorial and possessive which is a leading cause of aggression. We’ll get into more details later but keep this in mind.
Another thing Maine coons are opposite to most cats is they love water and snow. They are also famous for being vocal by making chirping and other sounds different from typical cat sounds like meows.
My cats don’t really make sounds at all unless they’re hungry so if we have one of these it would be a big change for sure, lol. The good thing is that Maine coons get along with other cats and if you have multiple cats already, they should adjust quite well together as long as you have adequate space for each of them to have a slice of their own ‘territory’.
They also get along well with children, dogs, people and other pets.
Requirements to Keep A Maine Coon Cat
Territory
Your Maine coon is well adapt and equipped for the outdoors. S/he will need lots of space and at least a small space designated for him/her outdoors as well.
They enjoy interacting with nature so you can set up a small garden area for them. If you are concerned about them escaping, you can utilize a good outdoor cat enclosure and set up a little area for them.
Your cat should also have plenty of relaxing and playing areas including multiple cat trees for large cats (don’t buy a flimsy one like the leopard print cat tree in the video. It will NOT last.)
If you live in a small space like an apartment, remember that vertical space counts when you try to increase your cat’s territory.
Diet
Like any living organism, with greater size comes the need for more energy and the generation of more waste. Your Maine coon should be eating a diet of natural and even raw products.
You should also be aware that Maine coon cats are predisposed to obesity. Given their large size, they tend to have large appetites and are likely to overeat.
I’m not an expert on cat diet so be sure that you talk to your vet about your Maine coon’s nutritional needs. I would even say find a certified breeder because sometimes vets aren’t specialized in one particular breed’s needs and may only have a general idea.
A breeder will know better about their specific specialty cat which in this case is the Maine coon.
Don’t take this for granted. Just like you feel bad when your body doesn’t get the right nutrients, your cat is the same way.
Never underestimate the power of good fitness and nutrition for your cat and even for your self, to be honest (this is not a criticism or opinion but study proven and personal experience). If your cat is being aggressive, this is the second place to check after illness.
Expense
Maine coons are easy to care for but require more financial needs to care for than the average cat. They need more and high-quality food but also high-quality toys and cat climbing structures.
They’re strong cats and also heavier weight makes for higher amounts of force and pressure. You will find your cat sticks and other toys snapping in your hands more frequently and the average cat trees will break, shake and crumble.
Not to mention scratching. If this part scares you, I beg you to take a deep breath and prepare for problem-solving instead of panic.
I’m a strong believer in the power of saving money and if you don’t, you will be surprised how fast even something as simple as saving all of your coinage adds up. Also buying ‘here and there’ adds up as well.
Too many precious cats end up in shelters for reasons that are easily dealt with if you just give a liiiitle bit more effort in the right places. That’s why I’m here to help so if you need any help or questions at all please feel free to ask in the comments below.
Grooming
Since Maine coons have long fur they will need their fur brushed daily. You also need to be sure to brush their undercoat as well.
Get a cat brush with long, grabby bristles. You may also need a pair of kitty hair trimmers to trim any knots or tangles.
Also take note of any skin irregularities as many bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc. can easily be incubated in their warm, dense coat. Additionally, matting and even daily rubbing can cause irritation so be aware of their skin with every grooming session.
If you notice any irregularities be sure to contact your vet immediately!
Play: Your Cat’s Daily Workout
I always say that exercising is more pleasant when we do something fun instead of ‘exercise’. Your cat is a good example of this.
Their play is important because it gives them their daily workout, however, they just do it because its fun for them.
It is necessary that you play with your Maine coon at least 20 minutes per day. I would recommend more along the lines of 40 minutes per day.
This will increase your relationship as well as reinforcing with them how they are supposed to interact with humans. Always use toys.
NEVER use your hands to play with your cat! And yes, even old Maine coons love to play.
Why Is My Maine Coon Cat So Mean?
Phew! That took more time than I thought but I hope that you have learned a lot about your cat.
Hopefully, at this point, you’ve begun to think about some things that might be causing your cat’s bad behavior but if not, we’ll give you some ideas right now.
So ask me again:
My Maine Coon Is Mean. What’s Going On?!
As you probably suspect, when your Maine coon is aggressive, something is definitely wrong. It could be something as simple as them not being able to burn off all their energy to something more serious like a disease.
I’m going to go through as many options as I can think of along with solutions and any other relevant information. If you are ever in doubt, call your vet, they are usually friendly and happy to help.
What Is Aggression For Maine Coon Cats?
Before we get into the reasons for your cat’s aggression, I think it is important to actually define what is considered aggression. As a parent of both cats and dogs, I know both have habits that seem aggressive but are completely normal for each animal.
For instance, cats will play bite each other while playing. Biting is also a form of cat affection. Its obviously not a hard bite where skin is broken but if your cat bites you like this, you might be startled and think it is attacking you.
This actually happened to my daughter the other day for the first time. She panicked of course but I explained to her it was being loving and she was alright afterward, lol.
In general, the following behaviors can be considered as aggression in your Maine coon:
bites that draw blood
scratches that are usually preceded by a swat, box, or some other attack like movement
your cat, especially if it is a kitten, might try to claw your leg like normal cat scratching that they do on a post. This is not aggression. They just mistakenly think they can scratch their claws on your leg.
boxing
declawed cats do this a lot and it actually really hurts even though they don’t have claws. If you are thinking about declawing it. DON’T!!!
hissing
accessive and frantic tearing to destroy things in your home like furniture and other household items
this is much more hyper than normal cat play. More like they had a massive anxiety attack and pillow feathers are everywhere type of thing.
fighting with you or other members of your household including children, other cats, other pets, spouse, guests, etc.
Usually, with aggression, your Maine coon cat will appear very stressed and his/her hair will be clearly raised. Its tail will be frantically swinging back and forth.
It will be making growling or other ‘scary’ sounds. Its eyes will be dilated and it might be snarling.
Possible Causes For Your Maine Coon’s Aggressive Behavior
As mentioned before, there can be many reasons your Maine coon is acting out of character. Here are some common and not so common reasons.
Illness
Whenever anything unusual happens, always think health first. There could be a number of issues both internally and externally that could be causing your cat discomfort.
Think about when you’re feeling ill. Especially something like the flu, your menstrual cycle (if you’re a woman of course 😉 ), or an allergic reaction to name a few.
You can’t see these things but they make you feel less than normal and make you act in different ways of varying magnitude. Also, depending on the person, you might never even know that they’re in pain until they actually come out and say it.
It is the same with your cat with the additional variable that they can’t actually come out and tell you anything. So it is up to you to figure out what is going on, which you are, and that’s pretty awesome!
Maine coon cats are predisposed to a few common disorders as a breed. They are:
A feline condition that causes the cat’s heart to thicken which makes it difficult for it to function properly. As a result, they can experience a whole host of problems even things that aren’t related to the heart.
It is not something that is commonly found in most domestic cats, however when if comes to Maine coons, it is an issue. Although not much is known why this is, scientists attribute it to genetics.
Other breeds that are prone to this disorder include:
Ragdolls
British shorthairs
Sphynx
Chartreux
Persians
Seems like it might have European origins but don’t quote me on that its just an observation of these breeds all have links to there in some form.
You can read more about it by clicking the below button.
Feline Hip Dysplasia is the abnormal formation and subsequent deterioration of the cat’s hip joint (formally known as the coxofemoral joint). As a result, this disorder causes abnormalities in the cat’s hips along with many other musculoskeletal deformations.
Early detection is important with this condition. If you notice any structural irregularities in your cat, call your vet immediately.
You can click the below button to learn more about Feline Hip Dysplasia.
Feline Pectus Eexcavatum is a deformity in the sternum (chest bone) and costal cartilage (connect the chest bone with the end of the ribs). As a result, there is a horizontal narrowing of the chest.
This causes a host of problems for your cat including:
breathlessness
weakness
disorientation
weight loss
and more!
If you want to learn more about Feline Pectus Excavatum aka “Sunken Chest”, click the button below.
In addition to these common illnesses, there are a whole lot more ailments that could be bugging your cat. For instance, male cats, in particular, are prone to getting urinary tract infections or your cat could have a nasal infection.
Both of these require immediate attention by the way. Some more examples are:
allergies
parasites (more on this in a bit)
ingrown nail(s)
digestive issues
circulatory issues
visual issues
etc.
Parasites
Parasites are anything that feeds off of your cat’s energy instead of taking the time to find or create its own. In other words, they feed off the food your cat has eaten or already digested in the bloodstream.
They can live inside their bodies or externally. Most parasites, or the presence of parasites, can be easily detected but some require specialized tests to verify.
Parasite infections are quite uncomfortable for your cat. Their effects can be quite severe causing stomach and intestinal pain as an example.
Some common cat parasites include, but are not limited to:
several types of worms
fleas
ticks (from my experience, cats usually have fleas because they are constantly grooming and ticks are easy to remove. Every once in a long long time, I do find ticks on cats though.)
also, you will typically see fleas OR ticks. You usually don’t see them both at the same time.
mites
etc.
If you need to verify if your Maine coon cat has a parasite, you will need to take him/her to the vet. Something like fleas is easily treated with medicines that you can find at pet stores or online but something like worms needs a prescription.
The worm meds that you will find at pet stores are usually garbage and bad for the animals even in the case of dogs.
Stress
Just like we get stressed, your cat does too. Don’t think that because s/he just ‘lays around all day and doesn’t have to pay bills or work’ that s/he can’t be stressed.
Common causes for your cat’s stress may include:
lack of territory
introduction of new family member be it animal or human
unfamiliar sounds like instruments or a TV show you’re watching
kids, other pets or other family members playing too aggressively
overweight
unhealthy eating
changes to their environment
like a house move, new furniture, etc.
etc.
Some signs your cat is stressed may be:
accessive shedding
dramatic weight loss or gain
bad breath
loss of appetite
accessive hiding
aggression
abnormalities in their pupils
medical condition
etc.
The good thing is that most of these can be easily fixed. If you feel like your cat might be having medical issues, be it mental or physical, start the conversation with your vet.
Cats do have anxiety, depression and other mental disorders like that. Just don’t jump to conclusions. Be open to possibilities without judgment and wait for the results. 🙂
Territory Squabbles
Cats are both social and solitary. I think that we are too.
Most of us like to have our own place and space to do certain things but we also enjoy the company of our friends, family, and colleagues most of the time. Maine coons are like this too.
They like to have their own area to sleep and get a good vantage point of your room. Some even like to have their own litter boxes and toys.
It really depends on the cat but in this case, we’re mainly talking about space.
Maine coons are especially hunt driven which means they especially uphold their hunting borders. These areas don’t have to be large but you will have to be sure that each cat in your home has their own.
The really cool thing with cats though, is that you can easily add to their territory by providing them with vertical space. For instance, adding a good cat tree for Maine coons is an excellent idea, one I fully recommend you do.
This can be done regardless of how small your home is. Just find something that fits the distance between the floor and ceiling of your home that fits through the door.
You will find cats develop their need for territories around 1 and 2 years old. One really good way to tell that your Maine coon is aggressive over its territory is that it will make a very bad, unpleasant sound that’s hard to describe otherwise.
They will likely also display some or all of the following:
murmuring
snarling
spitting
fast footwork
loud cries
pursue/stalk intruder whether another cat, other pet, etc.
Owners beware. They will attack you too.
This sort of aggression is more common in unneutered and unspayed cats (yes, both male and female cats have a territory) because they are hyper-protective of their claimed space.
Too Much Contact
Whether you’re aware of it or not, when you pet your cat you stimulate and excite their senses. When you pet them too much you can overstimulate their sense which sends them into a hyper, spazzy cat mode.
Another reason your cat might become aggressive when you touch him/her is if they have a sensitivity in the area that they touched. If they do and you don’t know what it is, be sure to speak with your vet right away.
Baby Fever
The purpose of life is to live and produce more offspring. Sometimes the need comes and goes at different times of our lives.
The female body is made to carry babies. The female instinct is to carry babies.
Not all females want to have young but for some, they get the urge to even though they can’t, especially if they are not fixed. Let me tell you a little story.
This is a long time ago before I knew better. I had a dog that wanted nothing to do with male dogs when she was young.
She was not fixed, had a very dominant personality and believe it or not, thought she was the one supposed to be doing the…you know…male side of things, lol!! Well, as she got older I notice a shift.
She started to act like she had puppies but she never had any and she wasn’t pregnant. What was happening was that she was having baby fever.
She’d get so frustrated that there wasn’t any puppies around and became quite depressed. She had one litter before she passed.
Your female Maine coon can likely feel the same if she doesn’t have kittens. Of course, she’ll have to deal with it BUT I mean, in all truthfulness and understanding instinct, some understanding and cuddles is in order. Don’t you agree? 🙂
Family Tensions
Usually pets choose one person to be loyal to or in sync with. This doesn’t mean that they dislike the other peron, it just means they’re in tuned with one person.
If there is tension between two opposite members of your household, your cat will feel it too. They will feel exactly what you feel and react according to their own impulses.
I’ll give you a good example. Me and my hubby had a big argument and two of our cats started fighting later on that day and they did every day UNTIL we settled the disagreement and tensions dissipated in the house.
These two cats cuddle and bathe each other under normal circumstances but because one is in tune with me and one is in tune with my hubby, they conflicted because we conflicted. Lesson?
Be very mindful of your feelings. Your pets, dogs and even your kids feel them too.
Just take a deep breath in and let a deep breath out. B-R-E-A-T-H. 🙂
New Family
If you’ve recently adopted your Maine coon cat, good job! Adopting animals can be such a beautiful thing.
But remember that your cat has gone through a lot before it reaches your home. It will also have to get over fears like the fear of abandonement along with anything else it may have develop post-you.
Your house looks, feels, and smells totally different to your new furbaby. Just like you have to adjust to new surroundings so will s/he.
Just give them time, love and be patient. They will settle in eventually and if they still have anxieties, talk to your vet or even the rescue group that you got him/her from since they can shed more light on the cat’s personality and/or history.
Learned To Play With Hands
I touched on this a little before. Kittens should be properly socialized especially between the ages of 3 and 7 weeks.
Do NOT accept a kitten that has been taken from its mother before it is weaned which is usually AFTER 3 months (12 weeks). The kitten needs to learn important cat communication and behavior as part of the litter like:
It is also important that you do not let anyone play with your kitten with their hands. Always provide toys for your kitten to play with instead.
Hands =/= Toys. NO EXCUSES!!
When that adult Maine coon chomps down on your hand thinking its a toy, you’ll know about it alright. It won’t be a comfortable experience and your cat will be very confused as to your reaction since it thinks it’s doing something normal.
Like I always say with my daughter, if it’s a bad habit, why start it in the first place? Wish I did this with sucking her fingers cuz I have no idea how to stop her.
Also, learn from me, don’t listen to anyone who tells you ‘just this one time’ or makes you out to be the bad guy, grouch, etc. Do what you gotta do and to h e double hockey sticks with that trash talk junk even if it’s coming from your own parents! T_T
Redirecting Stress
Have you ever lashed out or yelled at someone just because you’re in a bad mood?
Yup, I think we’ve all had these less than glorified moments, heh-heh-heh. Well, your cat has these sort of moments too.
Sometimes it might be feeling stressed out and just take it out on you or someone in your household. The best thing to do is find the source of the stress and fix the issue.
I wrote some ideas earlier on in the post. If needed, consult with your vet or cat behaviorist for assistance.
Genetics
Some people are more or less aggressive than others. Likewise, some Maine coons are more or less aggressive than each other.
A lot of times here, a good workout and outdoor session will work the stored up energy. If they have a mental dysfunction, you may have to seek medical attention.
Overweight
As aforementioned, Maine coon cats are predisposed to obesity. Just like in humans, carrying access fat can have negative effects on mood, health, etc.
Things that you can do immediately are to:
get your cat on a grain-free, weight control food
incorporate enough exercise into their DAILY routine
it will also take up less of your time or on the odd occasion that you aren’t able to exercise him/her, s/he will still get in their workout
How To Stop Your Cat’s Aggression
I’ve talked about many reasons your cat may be aggressive. I’ve also talked about many solutions.
One solution that has a baring on most of these is a lack of physical activity. Maine coons lean more to the ‘wild’ side of things and need a lot of physical activity throughout the day.
If they are cooped up all day every day, they will be pretty unhappy and their health can be greatly affected as well. Before you drive him/her off to the pet shelter, don’t.
One thing that you can do right away is to install cat trees in your home. They come in a number of different styles, colors and some can even go up on your wall.
The wall varieties are actually the best for your cat, and yes, they can hold your big fluffy kitty too. At least the one I recommend by this awesome company called CatastrophicCreations.
I won’t go into details about them because I’ve already done a full review on the best wall mounted cat trees right here. You can really get creative with these too.
In addition to cat trees, take your cat to see your his/her vet. A consultation with his/her cat behaviorist is a good idea too.
You can research online for the best of each in your are by searching for ‘cat vet’ or cat behaviorist’ then add ‘near me’. So it will look like this:
‘cat vet near me’
And related searches.
Phew! I feel like I’VE just worked out after writing this massive article in one day!
But its no problem and I feel happy that I could shed some light on this problem for you. I hope that I’ve been able to help guide you in the right direction.
If you have any questions, comments or anything else to add, leave them in the comments box below. If you want to learn more about what you need to know about choosing the best cat trees for Maine coon cats as well as the top 10 that I recommend, click the button below.
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Maine coon Physical Traits
