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Where to put a cat tree in your house

The best cat tree is wasted in the wrong corner. Indoor cats pick their favorite spots by light, height and company.

By a window

Cats spend hours watching birds, leaves and passing cars. A cat tree next to a window gives them a perch with a view and sun on the top platform. If floor space by the glass is short, add a window perch instead.

Where the family sits

Cats are social on their own terms. A tree in the living room lets them stay close without being on your lap, and they will use it most in the evening when everyone is home.

Against a wall or in a corner

Stability matters more than style. Standing the tree against a wall stops it rocking when a cat lands on the top perch; a corner supports two sides.

Next to the scratched furniture

If your cat already scratches the sofa, place the sisal posts right beside it. Cats move their scratching to the nearest surface that feels right, and natural sisal feels better than upholstery.

Size the cat tree to the space and the cat

Measure the corner before you choose. A small cat tree of about 31 inches fits beside a chair and suits kittens and older cats; a 39.4-inch tower with a condo and hammock needs a footprint of roughly 22 by 14 inches. A large cat or a multi-cat home needs wider platforms and a heavier base, so look at the size of the perches and the weight of the tree as well as its height. Tall cat tree towers give the most vertical territory but also need the most stability — keep them against a wall.

A tree for each cat in a multi-cat home

Two cats that get along can share one tree with several levels; give each a perch, a hammock or a condo of its own. If one cat guards the top, add a second climbing spot in another room or a window perch, so the shy feline friend has somewhere comfortable to go. Cats are happy when nobody has to wait for the best seat.

Materials that hold up

Natural sisal rope is the scratching surface that lasts; plush or carpet-like faux fur keeps the beds and platforms comfortable for naps. Look for durable posts, a design that is easy to clean, and a hammock or cushion you can remove and wash. A quality cat tree is cat furniture your pet uses every day, so a few extra dollars for sturdy posts and a stable board are well spent.

Getting a cat to use it

• Rub a little catnip on the sisal.
• Hang a toy from the top perch.
• Put a worn T-shirt in the condo or hammock.
• Give it a few days — cats inspect before they claim.
• Play with a feather wand around the tree so climbing becomes a game.

When to move it

If the cat tree stays empty after a week, move it. Try the spot where your cat already naps, a window with morning sun or the corner closest to where you work. Cats choose places, not furniture; the right place turns any cat tree into the favorite spot in the house.