10+ Best Cat Trees for Older Cats: 5 Age-Appropriate Choices
Many older cats require more space and security, and not every feline is able to climb trees, but there are plenty of options available for all types of cats.
The older a cat gets, the harder it is to get them to climb up and down onto their favorite perch. For that reason, there are tons of awesome cat trees out there that are specifically designed to suit the needs of older cats.
We’ve found a list of the best cat trees for older cats on Amazon, and we’re happy to share it with you!
What Age Is Considered “Older”?
The chances are good that you already have an older cat if you’ve made your way here. How old does a cat have to be in order to be termed “senior”?
Your cat may be a “young 10 year old” or a “ancient 7 year old” depending on how old he or she is. Think on the age-related changes a cat begins to exhibit rather than attempting to figure out exactly when a cat is deemed old.
Age-related physical changes in cats often begin between the ages of 7 and 10 and are most common by the time they reach 12 years of age.
That means it’s definitely wise to at least explore some age-appropriate cat trees for your cat (or at least some changes) as early as 7 years old. But what are age-related changes and how may they effect your cat?
Why Do Older Cats Need In A Cat Tree?
Just like people, older cats are more likely to have joint issues as they age. While achy joints can be the consequence of many different disorders, the most frequent in cats, according to Cornell Veterinary is degenerative joint disease.
While an accident or other stress might speed up this process, normally it’s a result of continual usage of a joint that gradually erodes the cartilage between joints.
Eventually, the joint forms a bone-on-bone connection which can be unpleasant and limit the activity levels and abilities of cats.
But how prevalent truly is a degenerative joint disease? According to Cornell Veterinary, “In one study, researchers meticulously evaluated X-rays of the spines and limbs of 100 middle-aged or elderly cats (10 years of age or more) (10 years of age or older).
The study discovered that relatively few of the animals had fully normal joints and that majority of them had apparent radiographic evidence of arthritis.
Indeed, the X-rays indicated that 90 percent of cats over the age of 12 exhibited indications of degenerative joint disease.”
In addition, the thin hind end you commonly observe in elderly kittens is caused by age-related muscle loss in cats.
Cats can lose the capacity and motivation to jump to the top of a high platform due to muscle wastage, joint stiffness, and overall aging. So it’s critical to find a cat tree that’s appropriate for senior cats.
What To Look For In A Cat Tree For Older Cats?
Consider some of the elements you’ll want to search for in the ideal cat tree for our senior feline pals in light of their age-related changes.
Platform Heights
The lowest platform’s height should be the first consideration. The height difference between platforms will also be examined.
In the event that your cat is feeling particularly athletic that particular day, a larger space between platforms may be OK.
However, you should make sure that your cat does not have to make a significant jump in order to enjoy their cat tree.
Ramps for senior animals are one of my favorite features. While ramps aren’t found on every cat tree, they may be found on the lower levels of many of them, if not all of them.
Total Height
Cats, especially the older ones, sometimes misjudge their own jumping abilities.
I’ve watched a lot of elderly cats do all the preparation work of shaking their butt and peering at their goal landing location, only to end up missing their target by a few inches.
While this isn’t a major problem, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your cat’s safety.
The repercussions of underestimating the size of a tower or a cat tree can be much more serious.
In addition, cats may become confused or disoriented when sleeping on top of their cat tree. This is especially critical if your cat is older, since the ASPCA estimates that “at least 40% of cats aged 17 years and older have confusion.”
Since the cat trees on this list come in a variety of heights, you’ll want to take your cat’s height into consideration.
Tunnels, Cubbies, and More At The Lower Levels
Cats that are getting on in years may no longer be as eager to scale the heights of the cat tree in search of the ideal napping spot.
In order to keep your feline companion entertained, a cat tree with tunnels, tubes, or cubbies at the base is essential.
Extra Cushion
As cats get older, they tend to lose weight. Your elder cat could welcome a bit extra padding on the cat tree because of muscle loss and fat loss.
Your cat will be safer and more comfortable if you add some extra carpet to the solid wood platform, not to mention that it will be a lot easier for your cat to get around on.
Before You Buy: Corner or No Corner?
There are two ways to discover the perfect cat tree for your pet. The first step is to locate the ideal tree and then choose where it will go. That’s how I went about it, and I think this indicates that I’m firmly in the crazy cat man camp.
More often than not, choosing the right size tree comes after first determining where it will go in your house. You may want to keep this place in mind when perusing the following list.
A precise straight angle on one side makes some cat trees ideal for corner installation. If that seems like what you’re searching for, have a look at our first two alternatives.
Other choices, such as our Plush Pick, take up more room because they aren’t corner friendly.
This may seem like common sense, yet it’s easy to overlook!
Best Cat Trees for Older Kitties
Best Overall and Budget-Friendly: ZENY 33.5” Cat Tree Tower
When it comes to locating a cat tree that is suitable for older citizens, my top option ticks all the right boxes. At the bottom of the structure, there is a large and cozy cobby for cats that don’t feel like climbing or leaping.
There’s also a ramp that goes from the ground level to the second level, as well as more cubbies. It’s a short walk from there to a luxurious cat bed that rises 33.5 inches above the ground.
The Goldilocks of cat trees, this one has it all: fantastic ground-level features, a ramp for greater accessibility, soft and pleasant fabric, and a height that’s just right for your feline friend.
This basic cat tree has received more than 500 five-star reviews, which goes a long way toward establishing its credibility.
Finally, when compared to other cat trees on the market, it’s a very affordable option.
What I Love About It: This basic cat tree has everything we’d like to see for our senior kitties but the ramp and incredibly soft bed on top are my favorites.
What I Wish It Had: While you could always make this alteration on your own, I’d love the see the ramp be a bit less steep to help alleviate stress on elderly kitty joints.
Taller and Multi-Cat Friendly Favorite: YAHEETECH 54″ Cat Tree Cat Tower
The Yaheetech 54-inch cat tree is a nice choice if you’re searching for something comparable but a little taller. This cat tree is more over a foot and a half taller than the best overall, yet it still has a sisal tree ramp for senior cats to use.
Most cats will be able to walk all the way to the top of the tower from the bottommost platform.
Some older cats may like the 40-inch-high cubby since the platforms are a little tighter than the best. This cat tree is ideal for multi-cat families, especially those with cats of varying ages, thanks to its added height and several platforms.
It’s easy for young cats to jump on high-flying platforms without causing any harm to their elder housemates.
In addition to being reasonably priced, this cat tree has over 600 five-star ratings to its name.
I like that it has many of the same qualities as our best overall, but in a taller, stretched-out form that’s perfect for families with more than one cat, even if they’re not all senior citizens.
I’d like to see some more cladding on the upper platforms to make it the ultimate senior cat tower. Currently, two of the three highest platforms are a little underutilized.
Best For Apartments and Small Spaces: PETMAKER 14″ Cat Condo
While this may not appear like the typical towering cat-tower, it is still fair enough to term this a tree…of sorts. If you have a senior cat that lives in a small apartment, you may only need a cat shrub.
This little cat tree may be tucked away in a corner or put beside your current furnishings. It lacks in height, but it more than makes up for it in warmth, with two nooks that are completely covered and ideal for taking lengthy naps.
Although the entire component is 14′′ tall, it is still raised enough so your senior cat can hop on top of it if they feel like it.
A scratching pad has been added to one side of the tower, and now the only thing missing is the additional height provided by neighboring towers.
However, if you live in an apartment, you may not want a tower several feet high looming over your studio, and your cat may not require it.
With more than 300 five-star ratings, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who loves this small cat condo.
In addition to its tiny size, its simplistic design makes it an excellent choice for a studio apartment or other small area. Depending on your cat’s personality, the large cubby may be preferable than the extra height.
I’d like to see a little more padding in the tower, but that’s easily remedied with a few blankets.
Best For Height-Loving Senior Felines: Go Pet Club 72″ Cat Tree
Cats don’t have to give up their favorite perch just because they’re older. Even if your cat is older, he or she still craves a place to perch high above the ground, even if he or she is confined to a small space.
For the most part, cats may be divided into three groups based on where they feel most at ease, according to renowned cat expert Jackson Galaxy.
The tree-dwellers are cats that can be found “anywhere off of the ground,” one of the types. In order for these cats to feel confident, they like to perch atop a chair or the top of a couch.”
Having an older cat with a tree-hugging personality means you’ll need to invest in a cat tree with a higher platform that’s still safe for your feline companion.
This six-foot-tall (that’s 72 inches tall) cat tree has various ramps that allow cats to get almost all the way to the top.
There are two ramps, the first leading to a cozy cubby, and the second leading to a series of interconnected platforms. There’s plenty of room for many cats or one spoilt senior kitty to feel like a king thanks to the numerous nooks and platforms.
My favorite cat tree brand is Go Pet Club, and many of their items have thousands of positive ratings. At the time of this writing, this cat tree had received more than 9,500 five-star ratings!
Even though this six-foot cat tree costs a little more than other smaller choices, it’s surprisingly affordable.
The twin ramps and near platforms are my favorite parts! Older cats may crawl and climb their way to the top of this enormous cat tree instead of needing to leap.
The pricing is also hard to match, especially when you consider the amount of cat tree you’re receiving for your money.
I would want to see the initial ramp link to the top of the cubby for next-level access, but as it is, cats have a variety of ways to get to the top of the cubby.
Plush Pick: Amolife Heavy Duty 68 Inch Multi-Level Cat Tree
There are more expensive options out there, but this Amolife cat tree could be just what you’re looking for if you want a sturdy choice. This cat tree has lots of room for many cats, but it also has some special qualities that make it ideal for elderly cats.
In addition to that, it’s a lot of fun! It’s not uncommon for cat trees to contain scratchy carpet, but the Amolife cat tree has 400g/m luxurious fabric.
Instead of a classic cat tree, that looks more like the fabric you’d find on a luxurious fake fur blanket or robe. To get a better sense of the material, go on to Amazon and zoom in on the images, but generally it’s an excellent fit for the often thin elderly cats.
Having two floating cat beds means that multi-cat homes don’t have to compete for the best sleeping spots.
Even though it’s the most luxurious option, this cat tree isn’t prohibitively expensive when compared to others on the market. At the time of this writing, there were more than 1,000 five-star ratings on the product’s Amazon page.
What I Like: Rather of carpet, this cat tree is covered in soft plush material for maximum comfort. This tree has a higher level of comfort for senior cats, who tend to be a little thinner and could need a little additional padding.
Nothing I’d Change: This plush kitten castle has everything I’d like it to have!
Most Stylish Cat Tree: On2 Pets 43 Inch Cat Tree with Leaves
Yes, you read that correctly—this cat tree is covered in leaves! Although it lacks many of the features we’d look for in a great cat tree for senior cats, it makes up for it in beauty.
Due to the absence of several of our favorite senior cat features, we can only suggest it as an honorable mention rather than a must-have purchase.
Some cats may go crazy for this cat tree since it offers them the illusion of being in a real tree or bush.
Additionally, it has the appearance of a real tree and may be used to spruce up your living area. That’s excellent for people who don’t want their living room to seem like a gigantic carpet tower.
If your cat doesn’t have to leap up, the bottom platform is 15 inches from the ground. Add a tiny ramp or place it near something you can use as a stepping stool to make things even simpler.
The entire height of the tower is 60 inches, which is 14 inches from platform to platform.
You can also remove the top two platforms to create a cat shrub out of this tree, which I prefer because it’s so easy to do. These are wonderful for elderly cats since they don’t have to contend with a platform or leaves above them to gauge the distance.
While this tree has a lot of flair, it’s more suitable for cats in their mid- to late-20s than for those that are very elderly.
However, if your cat is old but still active, this gorgeous cat tree may not be an issue for them. On Amazon, you can read more reviews and see the current price.
Because it’s made of pressed wood and imitation leaves, this cat tree gives your pet the illusion of being in a real tree! It’s also really cool to look at!
Some of the elements we seek for in a cat tree for senior cats, such easy-to-use ramps and extra-plush resting sections, are lacking from this one.
Petique Feline Chateau
Senior cats adore this cardboard cat tree with scratching pads since it’s easy to get from level to level.
The combination of traction from the scratcher flooring and the balcony-style levels appears to offer them a sense of security.
So if your elderly cat prefers plenty of elevation, the Chateau might assist them get there. It’s lightweight, so you can move it about. (And if your cat wants an open-air penthouse, you can remove the roof!)
Purchasers note that for a cardboard tree, it’s extremely strong and able to stand up to cat activity. Dimensions: Approximately 21 by 29 inches at the base and 43 inches high (with roof) (with roof).
Frisco Collapsible Pet Step and Storage
If your cat is having trouble going to a certain shelf or desk, this foldable construction could be able to help. Your cat will be able to leap on and get their bearings, or settle in for a snooze, on large, durable carpeted surfaces.
Older cats will appreciate the easy access to low bookcases and desks provided by the 26-inch-high stairs. Lift the soft covers to store cat toys, blankets, or grooming items in these cleverly constructed stair boxes.
Want to get rid of them? Until your cat needs them, these steps fold flat and store in a closet or under the sofa.
Frisco Faux Fur Cat Tree and Condo
For a large older cat, several of the multi-level “senior” cat trees we looked at appeared to be too narrow to safely navigate between levels. The 33-inch tree in question is an exceptional case.
The stairways are wide enough for your elderly cat to securely reach the top of the staircase. It’s well worth the trip up there, since the luxurious top section is 16.5 inches by 22.5 inches, giving you plenty of room to spread out and get some rest.
Frisco Real Carpet Wooden Cat Steps
This 26-pound, rock-solid pet stair construction is the way to go if you’re seeking for stability. Carpeted steps make it easy to get your senior cat up and down from the couch, chair, or bed.
At 20 inches, they aren’t quite tall enough to get cat onto your desk, but that may be a benefit in some cases.
New Cat Condos Premier Triple Cat Perch
Large, arthritic cats have no problem climbing this carpeted cat tree, which rises 30 inches above the ground. An 18-by-11-inch perch awaits at the very top for their comfort. It’s a strong, heavy-duty cat tree with a wood-core base.
Irene Fat Cat Kitty Cube Cat Condo
Your senior cat will have plenty of area to roam about in this three-story condo, which is specifically intended for large cats (though the top one, at 21 inches, might be a bit of a stretch).
You can count on it to last a long time because it’s made of wood and carpet.
New Cat Condo Crazy Pet Steps
Your elderly cat will have no trouble getting to and from the sofa or bed with the help of these carpeted stairs, which also have a cushy perch at the top. A 20-by-20-by-21-inch box.
Boland Kitty Power Paws Hollywood Condo
You may offer your aging feline the impression of being “off the ground” by installing an elevated cat cave.
Designed to seem like a mid-century modern chair, this 22-inch tall cat condo would look great in any living area. A luxurious 19-inch-diameter cat bed adorns the inside.
Cauthen Mid-Century Plush Sofa for Pets
Does Kitty find it difficult to jump up on the sofa these days? That shouldn’t be a hindrance to them. Your senior cat will still be able to dream if they get their own own gray mid-century sofa.
PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge Toy
Toby and Zoe both insisted that I add the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge Toy on this list, despite the fact that it sits at an uncomfortably low height for a cat tree. They spend a lot of time there.
In my opinion, they feel ready to pounce without the concern of being too high to return to the ground once they’ve climbed it.
Alternatively, it may be due to the great catnip that comes with this scratcher. Inches in length: 34; Height: 10.5; Width: 10.5
Should I Add A Ramp?
A list is included in most cat trees on this list, but you may want to add a ramp to your current one. In the event that you’re handy, you may choose to take on this project on your own.
Sadly, because I’m not much of a craftsman, this is not an option for me. Quality cat ramps, on the other hand, are still hard to come by.
There are a few solutions that are out of the question because they cost more than the cat tree itself. Your best bet is a cat scratcher and ramp combo like this one on Amazon.
However, the price is affordable for a cat carrier that has a height of 7 inches, bringing your pet closer to where they are.
Conclusion
There are best Cat trees for older cats to climb and play in. The main thing to consider when choosing a cat tree for your cat is whether or not it has an activity center where your cat can climb, dig, scratch, and play.
A cat tree without a climbing area or an open-area scratching post isn’t a good choice, as your older cat will quickly become bored.
Most cat trees have a variety of perches to provide plenty of options. Some even offer a safe landing space to rest and sleep.
source https://catshint.com/best-cat-trees-for-older-cats/
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