How to get cats to use, and share, new cat furniture
Where to put it
Cats use furniture that sits on their daily routes. Good spots are next to a window, in the room where people relax in the evening, or beside the sofa a cat already naps on. A tree in a spare room or behind a door often gets ignored, not because the cat dislikes it but because nothing interesting happens there.
- Leave space on at least two sides so a second cat can walk around instead of through.
- Avoid dead-end corners where one cat can trap another on a top perch.
- Keep it away from the litter box and the food bowls.
The first two weeks
- Days 1-3: rub a blanket your cat sleeps on over the platforms and posts so the piece smells like home. Leave treats on the lowest level only.
- Days 4-7: play with a wand toy so the cat chases it up one level at a time. Stop while the cat still wants more.
- Days 8-14: move the evening play session onto the piece and put a favorite bed on a middle level. On a wheel, lead with the toy at a walking pace; see our wheel training guide for the full routine.
Never place a cat on the top level by hand. Cats commit to a space they reached on their own.
Two or more cats: avoid the standoff
Most fights over furniture are about access, not the furniture itself. One confident cat parks on the only top perch or in the only doorway, and the other cat stops trying. Signs to watch: staring from above, one cat waiting at the bottom, or a cat that only uses the piece when the other one is asleep.
- Offer at least as many resting spots as cats, at more than one height.
- Give two routes up, for example a tree plus a run of wall shelves, so nobody has to pass another cat on a narrow step.
- Reward both cats on the furniture at the same time, at a distance from each other, before letting them share a level.
| Piece | Size facts | Good first step |
|---|---|---|
| The Loft | 59 in tall, 15.5 x 18.7 in base | Treats on the lowest platform |
| The Twin Condo Tower | 53.5 in tall, two condos about 16 x 13.8 x 11.8 in | One cat per condo, then the top perch |
| The Wall Gym | 6 wall pieces, each rated to 40 lb | Mount the first step at sofa-arm height |
| The Treadmill | 36 in wheel, for cats up to about 25 lb | Wheel locked, treats on the track |
FAQ
How long does it take a cat to use a new cat tree? Many cats explore within a few days; shy or older cats can take two weeks or more. Keep the routine going rather than moving the tree around.
Why does my cat ignore its new cat tree? Usually the location: it is away from windows and people, or it smells new. Move it next to a window and rub a familiar blanket on it.
Do two cats need two cat trees? Not always, but they need at least two resting spots and two ways up. A tree plus wall shelves often works better than two identical trees side by side.
Should I put my cat on the wheel? No. Let the cat step on by itself while the wheel is locked, then unlock it once it walks on calmly.
Our picks
- The Loft - 59 in wood tower with a top perch and a hammock, $92.99
- The Twin Condo Tower - 53.5 in, two stacked condos for two cats, $85.99
- The Wall Gym - 6-piece wall route, each piece rated to 40 lb, $89.99
- The Treadmill - 36 in exercise wheel for cats up to about 25 lb, $92.99
