Where Your Cat Actually Wants the Cat Tree

A great cat tree in the wrong spot becomes expensive floor decor. Placement matters as much as the tree itself, because cats climb for two reasons: territory and information.

The three best spots

• By a window. Birds, pedestrians, weather - a window seat is cat television, and a tall tree beside it is the best seat in the house.
• In the room where you spend time. Cats want elevation without isolation. A tree in the living room lets them supervise you from a safe height, which is most cats' idea of quality time.
• Near, not in, busy walkways. Cats like watching household traffic from the sidelines. Avoid dead-end hallways and rarely used guest rooms.

Placement mistakes to avoid

Do not push a tall tree flush into a dark corner of an unused room, and keep it a body-length away from shelves you would rather keep cat-free - trees make excellent launch pads. If your cat ignores a new tree, rub a little catnip on the posts and give it a week before relocating it.

Explore our cat trees and towers for every ceiling height and cat personality.