Cat trees are one of the best ways to enrich your feline friend’s life. They not only give your cat another place to perch, but they also help encourage natural behaviors, which is good for her mind and body.
For that matter, cat trees are often helpful for giving cats a sense of security. This can pay dividends when you have visitors or need to leave your pet with a cat sitter for a few days.
But unfortunately, many owners set up a cat tree only to watch their furball stare at it blankly. Don’t worry – there are several things you can do to start on a positive note and encourage your cat to scamper right up the tree.
We’ll share seven of the most helpful tips for introducing your cat to a cat tree – and share one important health concern owners should be aware of — below!
First Things First: Start with a High-Quality Cat Tree
One of the most common reasons that cats refuse to climb a cat tree (or any kind of cat furniture, really) is that they simply don’t like the model being offered. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- The tree isn’t tall enough. One of the reasons cats like to climb is because it lets them use more vertical space. And few cats want to go to the trouble of jumping off the couch and climbing a tree that only gives them a knee-high view of the room. So, be sure to select a tall tree with at least one platform that’s a minimum of 3 feet above the ground – and higher perches are almost always appreciated.
- The tree is unstable. Many budget-priced cat trees will lack the stability your kitty wants to feel safe. It doesn’t matter how much you tighten down the hardware or how carefully you put it together, these kinds of low-quality cat trees will rarely end up becoming one of your cat’s favorite sleeping spots. We all have budgets to consider, but try to avoid bargain-basement options and stick with models and brands that provide good value.
- Your cat feels too exposed while resting on the tree. Nervous or skittish cats may not feel secure when forced to lay out in the open. This is particularly true of cats who’ve recently endured big life changes, such as being freshly adopted or moving to a new house. If you suspect your cat needs some extra security, opt for a cat tree that provides a few hiding spots (if you’ve already bought a tree that doesn’t provide hiding spaces, you can consider attaching a cardboard box to one of the horizontal surfaces).
- The tree is too boring. Some cats may be happy climbing a simple pole with a perch on top, but most will enjoy (and be more likely to use) trees that include several different kinds of attractions – cat tree amenities, if you will. This means you’ll want to select a cat tree that also includes things like cat scratching posts, hammocks, or hanging balls.
- The tree simply doesn’t appeal to your specific pet. Unfortunately, this can be one of the trickiest issues to correct – you may simply have to try more than one tree in hopes of stumbling on one your pet likes. Cats are all individuals with their own turn ons and turn offs. So, be sure to consider the things your cat likes before clicking the “buy now” button.
Buying a high-quality cat tree doesn’t guarantee that your kitty will use it, but it will certainly help you start to foster some positive associations between your cat and the new piece of cat furniture you just purchased.
Plus, it’ll make things easier if you have to resort to some of the tips and tricks shared below.
7 Things to Do When Introducing Your Cat to a Cat Tree
Ideally, you’ll be familiarizing yourself with these tips before you even open the box the cat tree arrived in. But don’t worry if you’ve already set up the tree – these strategies should still help.
1. Ensure that you assemble the cat tree correctly.
Even the most eager climbers may refuse to scamper up a cat tree that’s wobbling around — especially if it’s a tall tree. So, make sure that you follow the cat tree instructions, tighten all the hardware, and put some hand pressure on the various platforms to make sure the whole thing feels solid.
This is a very important step, as it may be tough to convince your cat to try again in the future, if her first encounter with it was frightening. You want her first trip up the tree to be a positive experience!
2. Locate the cat tree in a suitable spot.
If you can, try to place your cat’s tree in a nice spot against a wall in a busy part of your home. The wall will provide additional stability and security, and a high-traffic area will ensure there’s plenty of interesting things to watch while she’s lounging.
For bonus points, try to situate the tree near a window, so she can watch the squirrels and birds all day long.
3. Give your cat plenty of time to get used to the tree.
Super-confident kitties may bound right up a cat tree without much of a “warming up” period. But most cats – especially nervous ones – will need some time to explore the tree from the ground to feel comfortable.
That’s OK!
Don’t rush your cat during this introduction process by just plopping her on one of the perches. Let her get to know the tree on her own terms to have the best chance of eventually climbing it. Remember, exercising caution is a normal feline behavior.
4. Use food to entice your cat to climb.
If you’ve had the cat tree set up for a few days and your cat still isn’t interested in climbing up it, you may need to resort to a little bribery. So, consider cracking open a can of her favorite food at her next scheduled feeding time and placing it on one of the lowest perches. You could also use tasty treats instead of food if you prefer.
Make sure she sees you go through the whole prep process and then set the food down for her. Some cats will benefit from a little encouragement at this point, while others will respond better if left alone – you’ll just have to use your best judgment based on your cat’s personality.
5. Make sure the tree’s platforms are comfy.
A lack of comfortable accommodations may make some cats reluctant to climb their tree – no one wants to go through all the effort of climbing a tree only to find that the platforms are rock hard.
But this is a pretty easy problem to solve: Just place a comfy pillow, some soft bedding, or a commercial cat bed on one or more of the platforms.
6. Leverage your relationship with your cat.
If your cat loves cuddling, playing, or spending time with you in any other manner, use that to your advantage. Start doling out the attention and spending “cat time” near the tree.
For example, you may start by giving your cat a scratching session while sitting on the floor beside the tree. The next day, maybe you may be able to encourage her to climb up to the first platform for scritch-scratch time.
Cats who love to play are even easier in this regard. Just grab your flirt pole or one of her favorite wand toys and start enticing her up the tree by making the lure irresistible.
7. Tempt her with catnip.
If nothing else seems to work, don’t be afraid to pull out the big guns. Catnip is famous for driving some cats wild, so use it to your advantage.
Try sprinkling some on the various levels of the tree or even placing some at the bottom of the scratching post sections, if present.
Don’t despair if your cat doesn’t seem drawn to catnip – about one-third of cats don’t seem to react to it. However, many owners with these types of cats find that valerian root has a similar effect.
Kitty Health Concerns: Reluctant Climbers Should See a Vet
Cats may politely (or not so politely) decline to climb a cat tree for a variety of reasons. But while things like confidence or tree positioning are often at the heart of the issue, you should also consider if health problems are preventing her from using the tree.
Several medical issues could cause cats to remain on the ground (and reduce her activity level in general), but one of the most common is arthritis.
Caused by inflammation in your cat’s joints, arthritis can make it difficult for cats to get around, let alone climb. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments you and your vet can try (including some that are rather affordable).
So, just be sure to discuss your cat’s lack of interest in climbing if she continues to avoid her cat tree for an extended period of time.
In Conclusion
Remember, the entire reason you purchased a cat tree is so that your cat can enjoy it, so don’t become frustrated if she doesn’t scoot up it right after the initial unveiling. Cat tree comfort comes slowly for some cats, so go slow during your initial introductions.
Stay positive, embrace the tips and tricks shared above, and don’t forget to chat with your vet if she doesn’t start using it after a week or two. But we’re betting that with a bit of patience and a positive attitude, you’ll enjoy watching your kitty climb her tree and start displaying normal cat behavior in no time.
We’d love to hear about your experiences with cat trees! Does your cat love ’em or ignore them entirely? Did you have to entice her to climb with her favorite food? Is there anything about your cat tree you particularly like, such as its super sturdy scratching post? Was it easy to find a nice spot for the tree?
Let us know in the comments!