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Modern Cat Tree Alternatives

Est. read time: 8 min.

Cat lovers know that no home is complete without a cat tree! Cats need places to play, perch, hide, and rest, which is why a cat tree is the perfect all-in-one option for giving your kitty exactly what they need. 

But why settle for an unsightly old-school cat tree when you could have a stylish cat tree alternative? These 5 modern cat tree alternatives include cat orbs, towers, and even a side table, all of which are sure to create a homey play space for your cat while still being an attractive piece of furniture for you! 

Why do cats love to climb?

Cats have the instinct to climb. If your house cat was living in the wild, they would naturally be hunting birds, climbing trees, and escaping predators by hiding away in high places. They also love to observe their environments, and there’s no better place to see everything going on than from above. 

Having an attractive piece of climbing furniture will give your cat a place to act on their instincts, while also adding a stylish piece to your home. It’s a win-win for both you and your cat! 

What makes a great cat tree?

A great cat tree is going to be sturdy, durable, high-quality, and comfortable. It should also offer details that help to keep your cat entertained. Various places to scratch, multiple levels to climb, and numerous hiding spots to hang out inside are also a plus!

The best cat furniture should hit all of the marks and add an extra touch to your space. Let’s take a closer look at some more of the best qualities in cat trees and why they’re so important! 

High-quality 

A cat tree needs to be durable and sturdy. Your cat will be using it to jump, scratch, and play, so you’ll want to make sure it stands the test of time. You’ll also want to make sure it’s sturdy enough so that it won’t wobble or tip over and potentially injure your cat. 

Cubbies

A great cat tree will have multiple cozy spots for your cat to hang out and nap. Enclosed areas are an added bonus, as these can give your cat the ability to rest and relax in a dark, cool place. 

Perches

Perches give your cat the ability to relax and observe from up above. They’ll be able to fulfill their need to climb and have a safe space to decompress whenever they want to.  

Scratch pads

A cat scratching pad is an important element of cat furniture. A lot like climbing, cats have the instinct to scratch. So, a built-in scratch pad will give your cat a designated area to express their need to scratch while also saving your furniture from being destroyed! 

Multiple levels

Multiple levels are an amazing feature in a cat tree because they give your kitty a lot of options. Plus, they can jump, climb, and exercise to their heart’s content! 

Best modern cat tree alternatives by Litter-Robot

Litter-Robot provides you with the best cat furniture to keep you and your feline happy! With features like built-in scratch pads, high-up escapes, comfy nap spots, modern designs, and space-saving options, you’re sure to find the perfect cat tree alternative with Litter-Robot.

Here’s a tip for if you have a cautious cat on your hands: If your cat is hesitant about trying out any of these cat tree alternatives, and you're trying to answer the question, How do I get my cat to use the cat tower? we suggest sprinkling a little catnip on the furniture. That way, they’ll warm right up to their new piece of cat furniture!

Cat Tower 

White cat inside cat tower - modern cat tree alternatives

Best for 

If you’re looking for a cozy piece of cat furniture for your cat to enjoy while ensuring that it matches your desire for something stylish with a modern design, then the cat tower is exactly what you’re looking for! 

Special features

The cat tower has a cubic design that offers a place to scratch, areas to play, and plenty of spots to nap. Choose from a sleek white-on-white finish or a mystic oak woodgrain paired with a black trim. No matter which style you choose, the cat tower is made from composite wood. The measurements of this piece of cat furniture are 18.03'' W x 17.2'' D x 53.86'' H.

Benefits

This piece of cat climbing furniture has vegetable-dyed sisal scratch pads, soft felt pads, a cat bed on the bottom level, and three climbing holes. Your kitty will be entertained for hours every single day! 

Disadvantages

The cat tower is smaller in height than other alternative cat tree options. It is also a bit heavier than other designs at a weight of around 53 pounds.

Pricing 

Priced at $349, the cat tower can be paid in full or in installments through Affirm: Qualified customers can enroll in an Affirm financing plan starting at $32/month.

Cat Shelf 

Abyssinian cat on cat shelf - modern cat tree alternatives

Best for 

The cat shelf is great if you’re lacking floor space or don’t want to add more pieces of furniture around the house. 

Special features

Coming in a set of two, these cat shelves feature an elegant walnut finish as well as two grey cushions that are comfortable places for your cat to hang out. These tasteful shelves offer a reversible configuration for endless variety. Made out of composite wood, these shelves have individual measurements of 12.99'' W x 11.02'' D x 11.02'' H.

Benefits

With the cat shelves, you’ll be offering your cat their very own space to hang out and relax. You can even mount the shelves near windows for your cats to observe the great outdoors or sleep in the sun. Each shelf includes its own soft grey cushion for ultimate comfort levels. 

Disadvantages

While your cat will be able to jump between shelves and rest comfortably, the cat shelves don’t include built-in scratch pads. 

Pricing 

These shelves are priced at $129 for two shelves. 

Cat Pyramid 

Two Siberian cats on cat pyramid - modern cat tree alternatives

Best for 

If you like to keep your home looking like it’s straight out of an interior design magazine, your dream has never been easier thanks to the cat pyramid. Not only do you get a stylish cat tree alternative, but your cat gets a place to play, nap, and scratch from one of the coolest pieces of cat furniture out there! 

Special features

The cat pyramid features an A-frame maze-like structure with a soft walnut finish and black metal framing. This chic piece of cat furniture is made from composite wood, and the entire pyramid measures in at 39.02'' W x 17.24'' D x 63.82'' H.

Benefits

There's nothing better than being able to keep your cat entertained with a piece of furniture that you’ll hardly even notice is designed for cats. With multiple levels to play on, two climbing holes, soft felt pads, and a vegetable-dyed sisal scratch pad on the bottom level, your cat will always have a way to stay entertained with the cat pyramid! 

Disadvantages

The cat pyramid takes up a slightly larger base area than other cat tree alternatives. Also, while the felt shelves are soft, they don’t provide as much comfort as cushions do.

Pricing 

This chic modern cat tree is priced at $249.

Everyone wins with Litter-Robot

Now that you know you don’t have to sacrifice the look of your home to give your cat a special place to hang out, there should be no more wondering, Are cat trees worth it? 

These cat tree alternatives will add a chic modern accent to any home and your cat will love having their own hangout spot. But why stop there when it comes to cat products? 

Keep adding style to your home with Litter-Robot so everyone wins! You can even make feeding your cat easier and more stylish than ever with Feeder-Robot. This WiFi-enabled, automatic pet feeder can make mealtime far more convenient and customizable! 

Why do cats want to be up high?

Most cats prefer to chill out and sleep in spots with good vantage points. They have the instinct to protect themselves and want to be somewhere that makes them feel safe.

How can I hide my cat litter box?

If you’re not a fan of having your cat's litter box out in the open, then you’ll love the idea of litter box storage cabinets. The litter box storage cabinet provides you with the ability to hide the litter box in plain sight while creating extra storage space, too!

Do cats like new furniture?

Whether it’s brand new furniture, unfamiliar people, or novel scents, cats need some time and space to adjust to new, like furniture. However, if the new furniture provides cats with a place to hide, lounge, and scratch, they will likely come around to enjoying it.

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