Favourite Solid Wood & Plywood Cat Trees, Condos and Towers
I’m currently away from home for work and I miss my kitties dearly. I’ve researched and purchased some new things for them in hopes of offering greater comforts and to better satisfy their natural urge to hunt, climb, stalk and nap. In this post I am sharing all of my favourite all-wood and solid plywood cat towers, trees and condos. I find wood cat trees, as opposed to fabric, fleece or carpet covered towers, are much easier to keep clean and free from trapped hair and dust. I like removable cushions and pads that are machine washable so as to be effortlessly refreshed. I find that the cats prefer this in like manner as they are always quick to find and settle into a freshly laundered bed or perch.
The first wooden cat house that is a must is this scalloped shingle pine plywood house and scratching tower. I have a deep love for victorian homes, especially when they are clad in fish scale or scalloped shingles and the scalloped felt shingles evoke that wonderful historic house feeling for me. This cat home also has Scandinavian dollhouse vibes, embodying the danish concept of hygge or hyggelig (adj.) referring to finding comfort and warmth in a cozy atmosphere. So I’m already imagining my kitties in full contentment in the bottom level intertwined and grooming, with another kitty atop sleeping or keeping watch, solo, happy to nestle above, but near her sisters.
Next is the Armarkat Premium Pinus Sylvestris Wood 89" Cat Tree, a beautiful natural pine plywood cat tree featuring 5 platforms and two nesting boxes, one four sided and one eight sided which both come with removable low pile faux fur fabric pads that are easy to launder. A note on washing: sometimes you do have to reshape the foam in the pad after a trip through the spin cycle but I have never found this to be burdensome. I have had this tree for a year or two and it is holding up beautifully. Assembly was fast with easy to follow instructions. All the parts fit together perfectly. Sometimes you may need to tighten screws if they have worked their way loose, but this is very simple to do just by spinning the sisal posts to your desired tightness. I chose to add a linseed oil wax to the plywood on my tree to give it a white washed look and also to allow the wood surface to be wiped off (yes the kitties have vomited on it before but with the beautiful linseed oil coating it is a breeze to clean. Not so much for the fleece or carpet covered cat condos.) Another thing to know about Armarkat trees is that they sell replacement parts on their website. If your sisal posts become worn, you can easily order new posts from Armarkat, making their trees long lasting and reliable.
Dimensions: 49"(L) x 34"(W) x 89"(H)
This Armarkat 89" Solid Wood Cat Tree with hammock is one of my favorite cat trees that I have in my home. The reason it is one of my top cat trees is because the kitties seem to love the height of it so much, at 89” it isn’t too far from the ceiling. If you have the vertical space in your home, I cannot recommend this tree enough.
Dimensions: 49"(L) X34(W) X89(H)
My real life kitty Queenie on her Armarkat 89" Solid Wood Cat Tree. As mentioned above, this is the tree that I finished with white linseed oil wax, which is 100% natural and a safe surface for babies and pets. I like when cat trees come in raw wood so that you can personalize your finish for your home and aesthetic.
Next is the Armarkat Premium Solid Wood 69” Cat Tree Tower. This tree is a slightly shorter, 69”, version of the 89” tower linked above. I tend to go for the tallest cat towers possible so as to maximize the fun for my cats in one footprint. I live in a victorian home with 9 to 10 foot ceilings so I have plenty of vertical space, however there are situations when a shorter cat tree is necessary. This 69” wood cat tree is the perfect medium height cat tower.
Dimensions: 36 (L) x 32 (W) x 69” (H)
Here is yet a shorter Armarkat Premium Solid Wood Cat Tree Tower, 54". I’m sharing all of the wooden trees currently available from Armarkat because each one of them is fantastic. I also have this tree but haven’t set it up yet as I plan to apply white linseed oil wax to the platforms and hammock frame. My cat Viktoriya loves hammocks and I like that the sling on this tree is easily removable for laundering. Dimensions: 36” (L) x 32” (W) x 54” (H)
Here we have another Armarkat Premium Solid Wood Cat Tree Tower, 50", slightly shorter, same idea as the above model. This is a great option because I find my cats prefer the condo boxes up high, but they also use lower boxes and low boxes can be more suitable for senior kitties. Dimensions: 49 x 28 x 50 inches
The scallop feature in the upper perches sold me on this Wooden Cat Tree Condo and Activity Tower. It is built beautifully with stainable solid plywood and has a different configuration that the previous cat towers presented. This would look pleasing in any home and it would be extra cozy to add your own little furry cushions atop the scalloped towers. This one is on my wish list.
Another beautiful option is this 60" Multi-Level Tree condo. This is an attractive, well built tree with generously sized platforms and cozy quilted pads and a top perch nest. This one is also on my wish list.
The proportions on this 54" Jumbo Natural Luxury Large Oversized Cat Tree Post are perfection. The overall look is pleasing to the eye, constructed of natural birch wood and natural sisal matting and it is fabricated in Georgia, United States. The beds look nice and luxe on this tree and there is a bracket where you can attach it to your wall if needed for total stability. I ordered this one for my kitties and am excited to see how it looks in my home.
Here is quite a different style of cat tree with serpentine curves and the double sisal climbing perches. There is not a front nor a back in this ingenious 360 degree activity tree. This one is pretty high up on my wish list as I think my cats would thoroughly enjoy the innovative arched design. As I’m writing this I’m wondering if I should order it right away… what do you think? Dimensions: 34” (L) x 31.6” (W) x 62.4” (H).
This 56" Cat Tree Activity Condo features not only a roomy tiny house, but also a kitty sized hamster-wheel. What a luxurious fitness feature… has anyone tried this one out? I’m totally dying to.
This Furrytail Cat Castle is a magical dream. This is a nice addition to the wood cat tree post as it does have beautiful light faery hues of periwinkle and pink and the cat scratcher is faced with faux marble print. All the other cat trees in this post could be stained to add colour, if that is something you are looking for in a cat castle.
Do you have any favourite cat towers?
To conclude, here are a few snaps of my real life kitty babies in their Armarkat Pine Kitty Towers.
Queenie snuggled in the top condo of her Armarkat Premium Pinus Sylvestris Wood 89" Cat Tree, a favourite napping place for her. I cannot tell you how often she is curled up here dreaming or keeping watch out the window.
Ranger and Viktoriya sky high in their Armarkat 89" Solid Wood Cat Tree. Good thing this tree is well built and solid enough to support two adult kitties on the hammock perch.
Ranger in her Armarkat 89" Solid Wood Cat Tree hammock perch. A last note: please excuse the dirty textured drywall; its time as a wall form is waning, we have moved out of this 1886 coach house as it is currently undergoing a much needed interior rehabilitation.
