Best Cat Trees in Australia: How to Choose the Right One

The best cat tree for an Australian home is one that stays rock-solid when your cat jumps on it, gives a high lookout, and suits your cat's size and your floor space. Look for a wide, heavy base or a ceiling tension mount, sisal scratching posts, beds big enough to stretch out in, and covers you can wash.

Key takeaways

• Stability comes first. A cat that feels a tree wobble may never use it again.
• Most adult cats enjoy 120–160 cm of height. Kittens and seniors usually prefer a lower tree with a low first step.
• Floor-to-ceiling towers save floor space in apartments, but you must measure your ceiling first.
• In multi-cat homes, choose more separate resting spots than you have cats.
• Sisal posts and washable cushions make a tree last longer and stay fresher.

How do I choose a cat tree in Australia?

Start with where the tree will go and who will use it. Measure the floor space and, for a floor-to-ceiling tower, the ceiling height. Then think about your cat: age, size, confidence and whether they share the home with other cats. International Cat Care notes that cats are natural climbers and need to rest and watch over their surroundings from high places, and it also reminds owners to make sure older cats can get down easily (International Cat Care).

How tall should a cat tree be?

Height gives your cat a lookout, but more isn't always better. Confident adult cats enjoy trees of 120–160 cm or a floor-to-ceiling tower. Kittens, seniors and cats with stiff joints are usually happier on a tree of about 90 cm with short gaps between levels. Our Flower Series White and Flower Series Pink trees stand about 90 cm high, with the first platform about 40 cm off the floor.

What makes a cat tree stable?

Look for a wide, heavy base or a ceiling tension mount. As a guide, the Natural Wood Multi-Cat Tower with Double Condo weighs about 11.22 kg on a 59.5 × 39.5 cm base, and the W4 Multi-Level Wooden Cat Tree weighs about 12.1 kg on a 60 × 39.5 cm base. Slim towers such as the Solid Wood Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tree Tower (28 × 28 cm base) rely on a ceiling tension mount for stability instead. Place freestanding trees on a flat floor, ideally against a wall, and re-tighten the fittings every few weeks.

Which cat tree suits large cats and multi-cat homes?

Larger breeds need broad platforms and beds they can stretch out in. International Cat Care advises checking that beds on a cat tree are big enough for your cat to rest comfortably. Measure enclosed spaces too: the Natural Wood Multi-Cat Tower with Double Condo has condo entrances about 19 cm wide, so check that against your cat. For two or more cats, choose a tree with several separate resting spots so nobody has to share. The Natural Wood Cat Tree with Scratching Ramp (157 cm, about 75 × 50 cm footprint) and the Natural Wood Multi-Cat Tower with Double Condo are both designed with multi-cat homes in mind.

What materials should I look for?

• Frame: solid timber is heavy and hard-wearing. Particle board is lighter and can swell if it gets wet. The Solid Wood Floor-to-Ceiling tower and the Flower Series list solid wood construction.
• Scratching surfaces: sisal rope stands up to daily scratching far better than carpet. All eight of our trees use sisal-wrapped posts.
• Cushions: removable, washable covers keep fur and odour under control. The Flower Series cushions are detachable and machine-washable.

Not sure whether your cat needs a tree or just a tall post? Read tall cat scratcher vs cat tree, and see what type of cat scratcher is best for texture and angle preferences.

Our 8 cat trees compared

All measurements are approximate and taken from each product page. Check the listing before you order.

Which cat tree should I choose for my home?

• Small apartment: the Solid Wood Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tree Tower or Adjustable Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tower V01 if your ceiling suits. Otherwise choose the 90 cm Flower Series.
• Family home with two or more cats: the Natural Wood Cat Tree with Scratching Ramp or the Natural Wood Multi-Cat Tower with Double Condo.
• Cats that love lounging: the W4 Multi-Level Wooden Cat Tree with its hammock, or the Cloud Bloom Multi-Level Cat Tree with its plush flower bed.
• Kittens and senior cats: the Flower Series White or Flower Series Pink.

Pair any tree with a horizontal scratcher. Our guide to how many scratchers you need explains why, and best cat scratchers in Australia covers the options. You can browse every model in our tall cat trees collection, or visit us in Moorabbin to see them in person.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best cat tree for a small apartment?

A floor-to-ceiling tower uses the least floor space, because it gets its stability from the ceiling rather than a wide base. If your ceiling is too low or you'd rather not tension-mount, a compact 90 cm tree such as the Flower Series fits beside a window or sofa.

How tall should a cat tree be?

For most adult cats, a tree of about 120 to 160 cm gives a real lookout without being hard to reach. Kittens and senior cats usually do better with something lower, around 90 cm, with a low first step.

Is a solid wood cat tree better than particle board?

Solid timber is generally heavier and more resistant to moisture and wear, while particle board can swell or loosen at the joints over time. Whatever the material, stability and sensible assembly matter most, so check the listing and tighten fittings regularly.

Do I need a separate scratcher if my cat tree has sisal posts?

Usually, yes. Many cats like to scratch both vertically and horizontally, and in more than one room, so a cardboard or sisal scratcher near their favourite sleeping spot is a good companion to a tree.

How many cat trees do I need for two cats?

One large multi-level tree can work for two cats if it has several separate resting spots. If your cats don't get along, a second smaller tree in another room gives each cat its own high place.