I misread.. cat owners, are they worth it? My answer to that one was yes, a million times, yes. I will let someone in the know, answer your question. L0L

My cat uses his only a few minutes some days, to check out the woods behind my house from the bedroom window - other than that, he sleeps on a carpeted shelf of the bookcase in the office, where he can climb up in the window whenever he wants. My cat prefers to sleep behind the sofa.

This is not going to be verly helpful but it depends on the cat :-) Some cats adore them. They like the ability to climb up high and survey their domaine in relative peace and quiet. Or use them as perch to view the world outside. And the scratching post aspect is a given!!

Other cats are maybe not so much interested. My own kitty, who just left us in November, had no interest in them at all. He much preferred to stretch out on my bed - or with the dog on his bed - for an afternoon nap. And he did all his nail sharpening outside on a tree trunk or fence. He never jumped up on anything inside (except the bed) and had no interest in high places, like windowsills, when he got too elderly to go out and about. But FWIW, he had no interest in catnip either (I really believe he thought he was a dog :-))

As to stability, you get what you pay for. The better quality the cat tree ($$$) the less likely it is to be topheavy or unstable, even with multiple cats using.

Our cats love ours. We have 4 of them throughout the house and they are all used regularly.

My advice would be to splurge and get a nice, sturdy, well-crafted one. They will last for years, and the carpet will be a better quality and will shed less.

I think it really depends on the cat. We had one for the last pair we had and while the female practically lived on it, the other had claimed a spot on the back of the sofa. If you’re so inclined to try one, buy it from Costco, if they don’t take to it within a month or so, you can just return it. I usually see them in the store during spring (I think) and theirs are a good quality.

From our experience with our two cats, I would say "yes" they are worth getting. Our cats love playing on their tower. They will be 2 yrs old in April, still love to race and chase each other all over the tower. The tower is showing wear now and we hope to get a new one soon. They also like the little two hole cat condo. We want to get another of those so they each have their own.

We have three cats. Two of them LOVE the tower but the other one could care less.

Our cat has always climbed as high as she can get on furniture, so we never thought to invest in a full tower. Small house, and I really didn't want a tower as a piece of furniture. But we did get a simple one which is a tall post with one seat at the top so she can see out the window. She used it quite a bit over the years, but now that she's almost 12, not at all.

Thanks for all the good replies and advice.

I too have a smallish house and can't think which room other than the livingroom to put it upstairs - it would be in the way. The boys might like one in the cellar but it's damp down there and the ceiling may not be high enough for a tower with a lofty perch. I know they would enjoy the heck out of scratching the carpet. Mainly thinking of keeping them from getting bored down there at night,esp. in winter when they go down early when it gets dark and not get out again until 7:30a-8am in the morning.

Found they prefer it in front of a window. For some reason their favorite was this cheap one. (My favorite is one like ccatticus has; well made & very heavy.)

Yes, they're worth it. I have 3 cats and 3 towers (2 around six ft. high and one about 36" high).

Suggestions: look for towers with at least one post wrapped in sisal rope, trays with edges/sides vs all flat, and choose one based on the abilities and age of your cat.

I have an elderly, large (20 lb) cat that can't climb or jump to high places and prefers the lower tower or the middle level of the tall towers. Still, I have to set a foot stool next to the towers so he can get to his favorite spot. Finding a tower with a tray large enough to hold him was not an easy feat!.

Location is key when it comes to how much they're used. Cats usually like the towers near a patio door or window and in a room where you hang out. You may have to move it a few times to find the right spot.

I have one tower that is 8 years old......Whisker City brand from Petsmart.....and it still looks good. They don't make the model any longer and of course it's 'our' favorite! When it comes time I'll recover it with new carpet.

Three tiers and Tony the Tiger uses all three. The top one is a tunnel-type where he goes when he really needs some time to himself. Otherwise, all levels get used. I vacuum all of it (sides, too) on a regular basis to keep it clean. But, next to it, here is an old side table that he likes to lounge on. I got mine a Rural King and it is HEAVY, it will not tip over.

Funny--I just bought a new one this weekend. I have a new cat as of Christmas, and he is young and loves to stretch his long lithe body and to jump up on things. I bought the Trixie Peppino tree--the base is a very sturdy scratch post and the top a comfy bed. He loves it, as does my other older cat who is snoozing in it a few feet from me as I type this.

I saw those at RKO over Christmas, I thought they were heavy as well.

I think my house is too small, plus it wouldn't go with my decor. LOL! I would prefer it in the cellar for the boys, only one small window down there and not easily accessible. Currently I have a small metal mesh table below it and Peach jumps up on it to get to the stone window sill. Glad I got some input from others tho.

I have thought of getting one, but I really don't have room. He is old now and I have been looking at this one. I have the large litter box cover from the same company and it is great! Very sturdy and heavy.

https://www.newcatcondos.com/new-cat-condos-spiral-cat-tree/

Sherry, thanks for the link.....that would be a good one for my old guy!

We just got home from Petsmart and are now $225.21 poorer....LOL...but our two babies now have their belated Christmas presents.....a brand new tower and a brand new condo. They are LOVING them. The little condos we keep in our livingroom. The new and old towers are in our solarium where we spend the most time. Luckily our house is a good size.

I’ve found that the cats who had towers as kittens, like them better than adult cats. My friend gave me one after his cats wouldn’t even look at it. Ours love them and also use them like ladders to access higher things.

We got one for the girls when they were kittens and they took to it right away. They still use it daily...I think it's helped save our furniture a lot as they'd rather claw the ropes than the fabric. They sleep on the shelves multiple times a day and often chase each other up and down it.

Eventually the ropes were so badly shredded that we replaced it with the same thing and moved the old one to our deck...they don't seem to use it much out there.

We got ours from overstock.com. One thing I like about it is it's not covered in carpet but more like a fleece material so there aren't any loops in the fabric to be pulled apart...the fabric has stood up well, but the ropes sure catch it.

This is the one we got...a lot less expensive than through the pet stores...

https://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Armarkat-Cat-Tree-Condo-Scratcher/4413819/product.html?refccid=FIZWTBX2O3UK4Z2IK36WH33IAA&searchidx=12

There are floor cats and UP cats and if you have an up cat you really need something for them to get up on. Margaret P. is an up cat and would try to jump to the tops of doors and the glass block shower wall etc. We had a short tower-about 4 1/2 ft but we got a seven footer that is anchored to the wall for more security-easy enough with a small L bracket and a couple of screws. Next to a glass door and a good view out a window. Problem solved. They come all in parts and you might do what I did which was to rearrange the components to suit your cats. All my cats have loved them but some have only used the lower levels.

A suggestion might be one of those boards that rest near the windows if you have a bright sunny window for them to lay on. My cats have never even looked at the ones that I have purchased they prefer the back of the sofa where they can look out the window and sleep in the sun.

SO many adorable cats! I do miss having cats but do NOT miss the cat box and furniture scratching.

As mentioned it depends on the cat/s. I have two towers that my current cats ignore. I don't find them attractive, at least not mine, and they are bulky. My cats prefer a window sill or something like an end table placed near a window.

If you have a cat tree, cat beds, or cat toys that are not being used, PLEASE consider donating them to a feline shelter, esp. those with communal cat rooms - where they will be very much appreciated by homeless kitties.

Nope, my cat tree from Smith and Hawken sits empty. The two remaining cats never use it.

6' and 4' ones from Costco, very much loved. Be sure the tower has a large base!

My daughter rents an apt. with all wood floors. She recently got some area rugs. Her cat LOVES the rugs!! I wonder if the answer to if a cat loves a tower has anything to do with what is on the floor in its owners home?

Oh you cat people are killing me. I want another cat sooooooooooo bad! I've been catless for a few years now and missing them :(

I got a really nice one from Chewy last year - think it was only about $40. My cat is elderly but she still enjoys sleeping in the box part of it. To bribe her onto it I put some cat nip on the different levels.

My cats ignored it. I got a nice tall one with multiple levels and holes. I ended up donating it to a shelter.

If you get one be sure to keep the box. Not because you might need to return it, but because many cats would prefer to play in the box, rather than the expensive cat tree that is in the box.

Not much to add that everyone else hasn't already added. We have 2 for the 2 cats and they use them like jungle gyms. Both boys are about 15 pounds and monsters so sturdy is important.

We have the same one Jim posted from Rural King. It was affordable (I think around $75?) and is about 6 feet tall with sisal rope and 2 kinds of carpet. My boys are tearing it up but it's 5 years old or so. Here's an older picture of the monkey's on it. Duke (the black and white) was just a baby and is bigger than Parker (the grey one).

The other one was bought at Petco about 7 years ago and is close to 7 feet tall. The top circle has a hole cut out in it and Parker (the grey one) uses that to play "parkour" between the two towers. The top circle is also the smallest so the BIGGEST cat (Duke) has commandeered that as his sleeping area.

If you're looking for something to keep the kids occupied in the basement, I would recommend the cardboard scratchers over a tower/condo. They are cheap enough (Trader Joe's has the best deal) to replace often and cats love to scratch on them. You could also put some empty cardboard boxes down there for them, cutting holes in the side. They'll play in them.

Oh and I forgot to add....Costco has some great cat towers for around $65. They're about 4 feet high but are sturdy, made from multiple materials and hard to tip. I would buy those in a heartbeat.

The ones that are made from "fleecy" material are not as substantial so if your cats are bigger, those types may not hold up well. I know my cats would have those torn up in 5 minutes.

Thanks dees. I do keep the cardboard scratchers in the cellar, the slanted ones. I sprinkle cat nip on them every so often. The cats really like those.

I saw the towers at RKO around Christmas and they were on sale. Darn it, but I was undecided at that time.

I have the fleecy ones and my cats haven't destroyed them at all... they don't seem to claw the fabric but really go after the ropes.

Big sale on right now at joss and main! Lots of cute cat and dog stuff. Lots of towers and fun cat items.

https://www.jossandmain.com/daily-sales/filters/pet-furniture-sale-se25287.html

This was the picture in the email from them and I would love to have it for Mia but she has plenty of beds including ours.

Love all the kitty lounging shots, they all look so spoiled! Ha!

I saw where you mentioned having a small footprint to work with and it made me think of the family we gave a rescue we’d found to. They named her Lucy and she’s quite the lounger, she and their other cat like to climb as well so the guy built them a catwalk that wraps around their living area. It wasn’t this sophisticated, but it was pretty cool and the cats really loved it. I thought it was so clever.

Hi lukki,

I like the slide atop your knick knack shelf ... to deter unwelcome visitors. _______

Hopefully not being too catty but ...

... if one were to fasten a sign with "Trump" on it to your tower,

a) would it make it more popular with the locals?

b) could it be rented at advantageous rates to visiting diplomatic cats? and

c) might it up the price at an eventual yard sale?

o j

Gosh Lukkirish, that is gorgeous-the amazing cat tower ledges and the cats. How did I miss this.

OJ, I don't think so but I get it.

I adopted a senior cat that the neighbors left behind when they moved. I bought him a cardboard scratcher and he thought it was to sit on. He doesn't get it. I keep it on the floor so he can sit on it because he seems to enjoy doing that. I am wondering if he would be interested, he hasn't played with any toys except a mouse that squeaks when he moves it. He has been an outdoor cat his 13 years and I would like to get him a tower but I hate to waste the money if he doesn't even like it. He wouldn't use the scratcher part of it, he may sit on it if its big enough, he's a big cat. I heard you can't buy them used, they will smell the other cat and won't use it.

We adopted my Dad's cat after he died. She was an outdoor cat at his house, but had to become an indoor at ours. She wouldn't use the scratching posts our other cats had at all. My husband brought in a big quarter chunk of oak fire wood with the bark on it inside for her. She LOVED it. She would scratch and scratch on it and then sleep with her head on the log. She was so used to using the trees outside and didn't realize what the others were.

LOL Sherry, I bet that would work for this cat!

Pretty sleeps on her scratch pad on the floor too, but she shreds it all the same. I sprinkle some cat nip on it occasionally.

I like your tower rudebekia, not as intrusive in front of the window, nice size for my indoor cat and would be warmer than the window sill.

ETAsk: Does your cat leap up there or climb?

After reading this thread I decided to buy another cat tower, the first got ruined in the flood a year and a half ago. I'm trying the Amazon Basics brand, I have been happy with all the other Amazon Basics purchases I have made.