Our cats may not care how items look, but we do. As such, sometimes we simply don’t want to get our pets the same old boring product everyone else has. For example, take the cat tree. Most look incredibly similar and have the same bells n’ whistles. Why not get your pet something different and find a unique cat tree instead?
There are more unique cat trees out there than you’d think, so no matter what your style, you’re sure to find one. An easy way to help you decide one is by checking out reviews that give you a simple run-down of what they entail, so that’s what we’ve done here. Say hello to the best unique cat trees currently available!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
MidWest Cat Furniture
Whimsical design
Includes scratching pad
Easy to assemble
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Best Value
TOPKITCH New Safari Cat Tree
Adorable design
Plenty of places to scratch
Extra sturdy
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Premium Choice
Refined Feline Cat Tree
Elegant & sophisticated design
Removable scratch pads
Extra stability provided
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PetPals Hand-Made Cat Tree
Eco-friendly
Easy cleaning
Quick assembly
Check Price
Ace – PetPals Cat Tree
Stylish design
Eco-friendly
Plenty of space for scratching
Check Price
The 10 Best Unique Cat Trees
Our favorite felines deserve the best, and this cat tree by MidWest Cat Furniture is our pick for the best tree overall. The floral black and white design and faux fur lend it a whimsical look, and the overall design gives this tree an extra sturdiness. A sisal scratching pad gives your kitty a place to sharpen their claws, while the tunnel provides them a fun place to lounge and look about. There’s even a furry little toy attached for playtime!
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 22 x 17.75 x 30.75 in
Weight: 13 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
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While assembly is required, it’s relatively simple — all you’ll need will be an Allen wrench and Phillips screwdriver.
Pros
Whimsical design
Includes scratching pad
Easy to assemble
Cons
Rare reports of product parts disintegrating after getting wet
Some cats wouldn’t go near
When it comes to uniqueness, this TOPKITCH New Safari Activity Cat Tree Condo wins hands down, all while being the best tree for the money. Adorably designed to resemble a giraffe, this tree allows your pet to climb, scratch, and play. The tree comes with three places for kitty to sharpen their nails and a tunnel for them to hang out in when tired (plus a tunnel window to pop in and out of). TOPKITCH considers safety a priority, so they have made sure the bottom plate of this product is thick and sturdy, so it won’t get knocked about by rambunctious jumping.
Whimsical design
Includes scratching pad
Easy to assemble
- Whimsical design
- Includes scratching pad
- Easy to assemble
Rare reports of product parts disintegrating after getting wet
Some cats wouldn’t go near
- Rare reports of product parts disintegrating after getting wet
- Some cats wouldn’t go near
Material: Wood & fabric
Dimensions: 5 x 14.6 x 12 in
Weight: 8 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Not a fan of giraffes? This cat tree also comes in unicorn form!
Pros
Adorable design
Plenty of places to scratch
Extra sturdy
Cons
Tail may break off easily
Works better on carpeting than on hard flooring
If you’ve been searching for a more elegant cat tree for your pets, then the Refined Feline Lotus Cat Tower Furniture is the premium choice. With a sophisticated and sleek design, this cat tree definitely won’t be an eyesore in your home. The tree contains multi-levels for your cat to laze about on, with each shelf being able to hold approximately 50 pounds. Scratch pads can be placed on and removed from the tower via a Velcro-like material, while the cushions from the cubby hole can be easily removed and washed. A support bar and floor levelers provide extra stability and durability.
Adorable design
Plenty of places to scratch
Extra sturdy
- Adorable design
- Plenty of places to scratch
- Extra sturdy
Tail may break off easily
Works better on carpeting than on hard flooring
- Tail may break off easily
- Works better on carpeting than on hard flooring
Material: Wood & carpet
Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 69 in
Weight: 78 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Assembly is required, but the needed tools come with the cat tree.
Pros
Elegant & sophisticated design
Removable scratch pads
Extra stability provided
Cons
Pricier than other cat trees
Product may have a heavy chemical odor the first few days
- PetPals Hand-Made Paper Rope Bowl with Perch Cat Tree
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Material: Rope & recycled paper
Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 29 in
Weight: 4 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
This simply designed PetPals Hand-Made Paper Rope Natural Bowl Shaped with Perch Cat Tree is created by a manufacturer with over 20 years of experience making pet products. Made from natural recycled paper rope, it’s eco-friendly and safe if your pet decides to chew on it. The tree includes a kitty condo and a perch for cats to hang out on, along with posts to encourage healthy scratching. This product is incredibly easy to clean —all that’s required is a lint roller or vacuum.
Elegant & sophisticated design
Removable scratch pads
Extra stability provided
- Elegant & sophisticated design
- Removable scratch pads
- Extra stability provided
Pricier than other cat trees
Product may have a heavy chemical odor the first few days
- Pricier than other cat trees
- Product may have a heavy chemical odor the first few days
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Material: Rope & recycled paper
Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 29 in
Weight: 4 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
While assembly is required, it takes only 10 minutes or less, and all tools needed are provided with the cat tree.
Pros
Eco-friendly
Easy cleaning
Quick assembly
Cons
Says it is best for cats up to 20 lbs, but some owners had smaller cats who didn’t fit
Reports of perch eventually falling off
- Ace – PetPals Cat Tree & Cat Condo
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Material: Paper
Dimensions: 27 x 19 x 49 in
Weight: 17 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
The Ace – PetPals Cat Tree & Cat Condo is similar in design to the last tree on this list with its kitty condo and perch on top, but it comes with more levels and a cool black and white design. Made from recycled paper rope, it is eco-friendly and safe for pets who like to chew. Dual posts provide plenty of room to scratch, while the feather toy hanging from the perch offers lots of fun. This cat tree is suitable for cats up to 15 pounds.
Eco-friendly
Easy cleaning
Quick assembly
- Eco-friendly
- Easy cleaning
- Quick assembly
Says it is best for cats up to 20 lbs, but some owners had smaller cats who didn’t fit
Reports of perch eventually falling off
- Says it is best for cats up to 20 lbs, but some owners had smaller cats who didn’t fit
- Reports of perch eventually falling off
Material: Paper
Dimensions: 27 x 19 x 49 in
Weight: 17 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Assembly is required, but all needed tools come with the product.
Pros
Stylish design
Eco-friendly
Plenty of space for scratching
Cons
Not suitable for cats over 15 lbs
A few cats didn’t like the tree
- On2 Pets Cat Tree with Leaves
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Material: Engineered Wood, Silk, Carpet, Artificial turf, Polyvinyl Chloride
Dimensions: 26 x 26 x 60 in
Weight: 32 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
If your feline is jonesing to get outside to play in the trees, then this unique On2 Pets Cat Tree with Leaves is the next best thing! Now you can safely provide your indoor cats with the experience of the outdoors by including this tree somewhere in your home. With three sizes and a variety of leaf colors, it features high-quality materials with a natural feel. Plus, construction is sturdy, so pets are kept safe. The 5-foot tree includes three perches and plenty of places for your kitty to explore.
Stylish design
Eco-friendly
Plenty of space for scratching
- Stylish design
- Eco-friendly
- Plenty of space for scratching
Not suitable for cats over 15 lbs
A few cats didn’t like the tree
- Not suitable for cats over 15 lbs
- A few cats didn’t like the tree
Material: Engineered Wood, Silk, Carpet, Artificial turf, Polyvinyl Chloride
Dimensions: 26 x 26 x 60 in
Weight: 32 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Assembly only requires 10 minutes or less, so this cat tree will be a breeze to set up!
Pros
Looks like a real tree
Easy assembly
Made of non-toxic materials
Cons
Rare issue with top perch breaking
Some people had problems assembling
- Go Pet Club Cat Tree Furniture
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Material: Engineered wood
Dimensions: 23 x 35 x 74 in
Weight: 45 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Another cat tree in the “resembles a real tree” oeuvre, this Go Pet Club Cat Tee Furniture has fewer leaves than the product above but still provides enough foliage to enable your cat to get the outdoor experience. With five levels, a kitty condo, and two cozy beds, your pet will have plenty of room to roam, lounge, and play. This cat tree is perfect for homes with multiple cats and suitable for cats up to 20 pounds.
Looks like a real tree
Easy assembly
Made of non-toxic materials
- Looks like a real tree
- Easy assembly
- Made of non-toxic materials
Rare issue with top perch breaking
Some people had problems assembling
- Rare issue with top perch breaking
- Some people had problems assembling
Material: Engineered wood
Dimensions: 23 x 35 x 74 in
Weight: 45 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Assembly is needed, but pet owners reported the process only taking around 20 minutes to complete. And, if you or your pets end up hating this tree, you can return it!
Pros
Resembles a tree for an outdoor experience
Good for multiple cats
Can return if needed
Cons
Rare reports of parts breaking
Some cats had trouble getting up and down the tree
- Paws & Pals Cat Tree House
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Material: Engineered Wood, Synthetic fleece, Sisal
Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 63.98 in
Weight: 96 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
The Paws & Pals Cat Tree House offers multiple levels for plenty of fun, including one platform adorably shaped like a foot. The top of the tree includes hanging fuzzy balls your pet can bat around, and there are multiple areas covered in sisal rope that provide lots of places for scratching. Product design is maximized to offer more than enough stability and durability, plus this product can fit easily into the corner, so it’s out of the way. The tree can hold up to 50 pounds, making it optimal for a multi-cat household.
Resembles a tree for an outdoor experience
Good for multiple cats
Can return if needed
- Resembles a tree for an outdoor experience
- Good for multiple cats
- Can return if needed
Rare reports of parts breaking
Some cats had trouble getting up and down the tree
- Rare reports of parts breaking
- Some cats had trouble getting up and down the tree
Material: Engineered Wood, Synthetic fleece, Sisal
Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 63.98 in
Weight: 96 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Assembly is needed, but it only takes 15 minutes or less to set up.
Pros
Cute design
Great for multiple cats
Lots of areas for scratching
Cons
Some complaints of poor customer service
Rare reports of carpet shedding
- PawHut Floor-to-Ceiling Staggered Climbing Cat Tree Tower
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Material: Chipboard, powdered coated steel, polyester fabric
Dimensions: 46 x 27 x 5 in
Weight: 41 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
The PawHut 108″ Floor-to-Ceiling Adjustable Staggered Climbing Cat Tree Tower goes from floor to ceiling and resembles a ladder with a handful of perches and a hammock at the top. Due to the simplicity of the design, it blends in well with any household decor and is easy to stick almost anywhere. Plus, the way this cat tree is set up will stimulate your kitty’s instincts to play and hunt. It’s guaranteed to be stable because the tree goes from floor to ceiling and is held in place via tension brackets. Each perch is movable, so you can place them wherever you’d like on the tower.
Cute design
Great for multiple cats
Lots of areas for scratching
- Cute design
- Great for multiple cats
- Lots of areas for scratching
Some complaints of poor customer service
Rare reports of carpet shedding
- Some complaints of poor customer service
- Rare reports of carpet shedding
Material: Chipboard, powdered coated steel, polyester fabric
Dimensions: 46 x 27 x 5 in
Weight: 41 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
This cat tree is recommended for cats 11 pounds and under.
Pros
Neat design
Great stability
Stimulates cat’s instincts
Cons
Not suitable for cats over 11 lbs
Rare reports of product arriving defective
- CozyCatFurniture Large Cat Tower & Scratching Post
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Material: Plush
Dimensions: 22 x 22 x 87 in
Weight: 65 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
The CozyCatFurniture Large Cat Tower & Scratching Post has a super fun design with multiple levels and tons of things for your cat to do. Not only are there plenty of areas for your cats to scratch away at, but there are also two kitty condos to hide away and sleep in, as well as two tunnels from which they can jump and hang. Despite the many offerings, this cat tree is designed to fit into small spaces, so you shouldn’t have a problem locating a place to put it.
Neat design
Great stability
Stimulates cat’s instincts
- Neat design
- Great stability
- Stimulates cat’s instincts
Not suitable for cats over 11 lbs
Rare reports of product arriving defective
- Not suitable for cats over 11 lbs
- Rare reports of product arriving defective
Material: Plush
Dimensions: 22 x 22 x 87 in
Weight: 65 lbs
Assembly required: Yes
Assembly is simple and all tools needed are included, plus cleanup of this cat tree is a breeze.
Pros
Includes tons of things for kitty to do
Designed for smaller spaces
Easy to clean
Cons
Suitable for small & medium cats, but not large ones
Reports of assembly instructions being unclear
Includes tons of things for kitty to do
Designed for smaller spaces
Easy to clean
- Includes tons of things for kitty to do
- Designed for smaller spaces
- Easy to clean
Suitable for small & medium cats, but not large ones
Reports of assembly instructions being unclear
- Suitable for small & medium cats, but not large ones
- Reports of assembly instructions being unclear
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Unique Cat Tree
When you’re buying a cat tree for your pet, there’s plenty to consider — not the least of which is should you buy one in the first place? Of course, you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t on the hunt for a super cool and unique cat tree for your pet. Still, it’s good to know all the pros and cons of cat trees before you start narrowing down your choices.
Pros
You’ll save the people’s furniture. One of the main reasons people get cat trees is to protect their own furniture from kitty claws that like to scratch and tear. Providing your pet with a spot all its own that offers multiple areas to scratch at can minimize wear and tear on your furniture.
Cat trees encourage instincts. Cats love to run, jump, play, and stalk. Sometimes, indoor cats have a harder time getting to do these things than outdoor cats, though. Even if you play with your pet every chance you get, there will still be times they’ll be on their own and bored. Cat trees encourage all the things cats enjoy doing with their different levels, hidey holes, and more.
Cat trees provide a great place for naps. As much as our feline friends enjoy play, they might enjoy naps even more! While cats can sleep anywhere, it’s nice to provide special spots just for them. Plus, if they sleep more on the cat tree than your bed, there’s less fur for you to clean up!
They’ll provide you and your cat with hours of entertainment. As entertained as your pet will be with a cat tree, you can be sure you’ll be equally entertained watching them play on it.
Cons
Cat trees can be an eyesore. Depending on which kind of cat tree you decide upon, it may be large, bulky, and difficult to fit into an out-of-the-way spot in your home. Or you may have a hard time finding one that fits in with your decor, making it stick out like a sore thumb.
Cat trees can be super expensive. Not all cat trees will be pricy, but depending on your budget, you might have trouble finding one that fits your needs.
Cat trees can be challenging to clean. While plenty of cat trees have removable bits that can be easily cleaned or only require a vacuum or lint roller to remove fuzz, they may still be difficult to clean in the case of fur balls or other accidents. You might also find that the cat tree you’ve purchased sheds carpet or scratching pad material after prolonged use.
Your cat may never use the cat tree. Felines are finicky, and we genuinely have no way of ever knowing what products they might love or hate. There’s always the risk that your cat will have no interest in a cat tree.
Things To Look For When Buying A Cat Tree
Since you now know the pros and cons of cat trees, you’re ready to start narrowing down your choices to the perfect one. To make your decision simpler, you should factor in these considerations.
You’ll save the people’s furniture. One of the main reasons people get cat trees is to protect their own furniture from kitty claws that like to scratch and tear. Providing your pet with a spot all its own that offers multiple areas to scratch at can minimize wear and tear on your furniture.
Cat trees encourage instincts. Cats love to run, jump, play, and stalk. Sometimes, indoor cats have a harder time getting to do these things than outdoor cats, though. Even if you play with your pet every chance you get, there will still be times they’ll be on their own and bored. Cat trees encourage all the things cats enjoy doing with their different levels, hidey holes, and more.
Cat trees provide a great place for naps. As much as our feline friends enjoy play, they might enjoy naps even more! While cats can sleep anywhere, it’s nice to provide special spots just for them. Plus, if they sleep more on the cat tree than your bed, there’s less fur for you to clean up!
They’ll provide you and your cat with hours of entertainment. As entertained as your pet will be with a cat tree, you can be sure you’ll be equally entertained watching them play on it.
- You’ll save the people’s furniture. One of the main reasons people get cat trees is to protect their own furniture from kitty claws that like to scratch and tear. Providing your pet with a spot all its own that offers multiple areas to scratch at can minimize wear and tear on your furniture.
- Cat trees encourage instincts. Cats love to run, jump, play, and stalk. Sometimes, indoor cats have a harder time getting to do these things than outdoor cats, though. Even if you play with your pet every chance you get, there will still be times they’ll be on their own and bored. Cat trees encourage all the things cats enjoy doing with their different levels, hidey holes, and more.
- Cat trees provide a great place for naps. As much as our feline friends enjoy play, they might enjoy naps even more! While cats can sleep anywhere, it’s nice to provide special spots just for them. Plus, if they sleep more on the cat tree than your bed, there’s less fur for you to clean up!
- They’ll provide you and your cat with hours of entertainment. As entertained as your pet will be with a cat tree, you can be sure you’ll be equally entertained watching them play on it.
Cat trees can be an eyesore. Depending on which kind of cat tree you decide upon, it may be large, bulky, and difficult to fit into an out-of-the-way spot in your home. Or you may have a hard time finding one that fits in with your decor, making it stick out like a sore thumb.
Cat trees can be super expensive. Not all cat trees will be pricy, but depending on your budget, you might have trouble finding one that fits your needs.
Cat trees can be challenging to clean. While plenty of cat trees have removable bits that can be easily cleaned or only require a vacuum or lint roller to remove fuzz, they may still be difficult to clean in the case of fur balls or other accidents. You might also find that the cat tree you’ve purchased sheds carpet or scratching pad material after prolonged use.
Your cat may never use the cat tree. Felines are finicky, and we genuinely have no way of ever knowing what products they might love or hate. There’s always the risk that your cat will have no interest in a cat tree.
- Cat trees can be an eyesore. Depending on which kind of cat tree you decide upon, it may be large, bulky, and difficult to fit into an out-of-the-way spot in your home. Or you may have a hard time finding one that fits in with your decor, making it stick out like a sore thumb.
- Cat trees can be super expensive. Not all cat trees will be pricy, but depending on your budget, you might have trouble finding one that fits your needs.
- Cat trees can be challenging to clean. While plenty of cat trees have removable bits that can be easily cleaned or only require a vacuum or lint roller to remove fuzz, they may still be difficult to clean in the case of fur balls or other accidents. You might also find that the cat tree you’ve purchased sheds carpet or scratching pad material after prolonged use.
- Your cat may never use the cat tree. Felines are finicky, and we genuinely have no way of ever knowing what products they might love or hate. There’s always the risk that your cat will have no interest in a cat tree.
Size
The first thing to look for in a cat tree is its size. If you have a single cat, you can get away with a smaller tree, but if you have several cats, you’ll either need a larger one or multiple trees throughout the house. You’ll also want to check and see if there are weight limitations for the tree — can larger cats safely use it, or is it more for small cats under a certain weight?
Tower Location
Tying in with the size of the cat tree is where you’ll be placing the cat tree. You don’t want to order a tree only to find out after it arrives that it doesn’t actually fit where you want. Measure the area of the location you’re eyeing and check cat tree dimensions before purchasing.
Materials
What kind of materials make up the cat tree? Cat trees run the gamut from wood to steel to cardboard. Clearly, some materials will be more durable than others. Then there’s the material making up any scratching pads on the cat tree. Your cat likely prefers what kind of material they like to scratch against. Finally, are the materials safe and non-toxic?
Stability & Durability
You definitely don’t want a cat tree that will fall over the first time your kitty jumps on it or one that will easily tear apart from scratching. Check what the tree’s base is made of and whether it’s been made with stability in mind. Also, consider the materials used in the tree (and reviews from others) to find out just how durable a cat tree may be.
Assembly Required
Some of us have more handyman skills than others. As such, you’ll want to ensure that your level of skill with a screwdriver or other tools matches up to what’s needed to put together the cat tree you’ve chosen. You’ll also want to ensure that the tools required for assembly are provided or that you have access to what you need.
Cost
Sticking to your budget is important. Just because a cat tree is expensive, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best one available. While a tree that’s well-made may be a bit pricier, you might find that you’re paying more for extra dangly toys or design. Weigh what you want against what you need.
Reviews
No one will know better how good a cat tree is than other cat owners who have already purchased it. Reading reviews can give you excellent insight into whether a cat tree is as good as the manufacturer claims.
Conclusion
You don’t want to get your cat any old, boring cat tree; you want something unique! Our reviews have led us to find that the MidWest Cat Furniture cat tree wins best overall cat tree for its whimsical design and provision of plenty of activity. Our pick for the best value is the TOPKITCH Safari Activity cat tree due to its price and adorableness. Finally, if you’re looking for sleek and elegant, we recommend the REFINED FELINE Lotus Cat Tower.
- You may also want to read: 10 Best Cat Trees for Bengal Cats – Reviews & Top Picks
