The Best Cat Towers

Cat towers are multipurpose structures your feline friend can use for all sorts of activities, including jumping, climbing, scratching, and relaxing. They add excitement to your cat's day by giving them their own space to play. That's not all; they may also help save your household items by appealing to your cat's natural instincts, reducing the chances they'll use your sofa as a scratching board. With all of that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best cat towers the internet has to offer.

What to Look For 

We recommend keeping the following three questions in mind when shopping for a cat tower: Is it a proper size for your kitty? Does it suit your cat’s style of play? Does it have toys and scratching posts integrated into the design? Our top pick was the cat tower from Heybly, which features a feeding bowl and scratching board to keep your feline friend occupied. We also really liked the cat tower from Pawz, which has a fun design and plenty of spots for your kitty to rest. Read on to learn more about our favorites and discover the best one for your cat.

Heybly Multi-Level Cat Tower

Endless entertainment

Keep your cat entertained with this cat tower featuring a launching pad and a wide scratching board.
Best Overall

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Whether you have one cat or several, this cat tower from Heybly will keep them entertained. It features various perches for your kitty to rest and relax, helping ensure their comfort. It doesn’t end there; it has a cozy hammock made with faux fur where your feline friend can snuggle up. When your cat is feeling antsy, they can use the scratching posts and pads to relieve excess energy.

Pros:

  • Springboard helps cats climb up and down the tree
  • Wall anchor helps keep it from tipping over
  • Several scratching areas
  • Built-in feed bowl

Cons:

  • Top platform may be too small for large cats

Pawz Road Large Padded Cactus Cat Tower

Jump around

With plenty of places to climb and leap, your cat will love playing on this tower.
Runner Up

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Bring a bit of the desert into your home with this cactus-style tower from Pawz Road. It’s green with beige accents, giving it a distinct look compared to other cat towers. The unique design seems to peak cats’ interest, making them want to climb the tower and play or nap on it. It also has a private condo for kitties to hide out in when they want a little privacy.

Pros:

  • Designed so cats can climb and leap on it freely 
  • Detachable pom-pom for cats to play with
  • Durable construction
  • Soft covering to ensure your cat’s comfort

Cons:

  • Assembly can be tricky

Petmaker 3-Tier Cat Tower

Play time

Encourage your kitty to engage in interactive fun with this fun cat tower.
Best Value

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This cat tower from Petmaker proves there’s no need to break the bank or sacrifice quality when purchasing a cat tower. It features scratching posts on each level to satisfy your pet’s desire to claw at things and allow them to stretch out as needed. Plus, its plush carpet lets cats get comfortable when they want to relax or take a nap. It also has a hanging toy to help keep your feline friend entertained.

Pros:

  • Designed to withstand vigorous play 
  • Has a hideaway for privacy
  • Two carpeted perches for rest and relaxation
  • Durable enough to hold large cats

Cons:

  • The base is a bit narrow for the height

Yaheetech Pet Play House Cat Tower

Non-stop fun

Whether your cat wants to nap or play, they can do it on this multi-level cat tower.
Best For Multiple Cats

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If you have a household full of cats you need to keep entertained, this cat tower from Yaheetech may be exactly what you need. The tower features several scratching surfaces, dangling toys, and tiers to keep your furry friends busy throughout the day. It also has two spacious cat condos for your kitties to cozy up in when they want to get away from it all. 

Pros:

  • Wall mounting bracket for securing it to walls
  • Several window perches for cats to look out of
  • Rounded corners for safety
  • Multi-level play options

Cons:

  • The hammock is too small for big cats

Amazon Basics Cat Tower

Feline good

This cat tower comes with everything your cat needs to relax and play.
Best For Small Spaces

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Pet parents without a lot of space will love this minimalist cat tower from Amazon Basics. It features soft carpeting and an elevated hammock bed, making it the perfect cat getaway spot. Plus, the two scratching posts and pom-pom toy keep your kitty entertained. Also, it’s close to the ground, so it’s an excellent choice for aging cats and those that don’t like to climb very high.

Pros:

  • Sturdy construction 
  • Replaceable dangle toy for cats to play with
  • Wide base keeps tower steady
  • Scratching posts help keep nails healthy

Cons:

  • Some of the fibers may shed when your cat scratches 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the ideal spot for a cat tower?

Finding the right spot for your cat’s tree can make all the difference between whether they play with it or it sits in a corner accumulating dust. Since cats like to keep tabs on what’s happening around them, setting up the cat tower in a high-traffic area is a good idea. You’ll want to ensure your cat can see you from their perch atop the cat tree, so living rooms are often an excellent choice. Cats also enjoy birdwatching, so placing the cat tree next to a window is also a good idea.

How do I encourage my cat to play with the cat tower?

Cat towers have areas for cats to climb and jump, appealing to their playful nature. You may find your cat doesn’t need any encouragement and takes to the cat tree immediately. However, if your kitty seems unsure about this new apparatus, you can help them get used to it by sprinkling it with cat nip. You can also place your cat on the tree and give them a treat, so they associate it with something positive.

About the Author

Lynnae grew up with pets all her life, so she has firsthand experience on how to best take care of your favorite companions. This teacher by day and writer by night has a mission to make sure all pets have what they need to live long and healthy lives.

Why Trust Us

Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.