Cat Vertical Space 101: The Ultimate Guide
If you’ve been following my ramblings for a while, you’ll know that I’m a huge proponent of providing cats with high quality vertical space. Stimulating, cat-safe vertical space can work wonders in keeping your cats sane, healthy, and help them get along better with each other (and you).
Along with adequate food and shelter, I’d rank vertical space one of most basic needs a cat owner should seek to fulfill.
The Importance Of Being Up High
Think about it—in the wild, you’ll rarely find a healthy cat resting on the ground.
Whenever they can, they seek higher ground (or a hidey-hole).
- Being up high allows cats to survey their
kingdomsurroundings from a comfortable distance, without the fear of ambush by enemy forces and rogue kittens.
(Have I ever mentioned how neurotic cats are? Their skittish paranoia is actually a part of their weird charm, I think.)
- Vertical space also dramatically increases your home’s cat-friendly real estate, expanding your cat’s domain and cutting down on the possibility of turf wars between stressed out kitties.
- Also, it provides them with a passive source of exercise (and the motivation to do more of it), since fat kitties don’t get prime perches.
That said, I’ve heard all the usual excuses: Cat trees are an eyesore. They’re expensive. They make me look crazy. My cats don’t need furniture, they’re perfectly content destroying all of mine.
To try to change your mind, I’ve scoured the interwebz for all the best (and coolest) cat vertical space solutions for every budget and aesthetic. I present them to you now.
From stylish and streamlined to innovative DIYs, it’s so much easier (and prettier) than you think to create a cat-happy home.
Let’s Begin!
When I say ultimate guide, I really do mean ULTIMATE. I spent countless eons combing the far reaches of the galactic cat empire to hunt down the coolest stuff to showcase here.
Feel free to warp directly to any dimension:
> Classic Cat Trees (Carpets n’ sisal rope)
> Modern Cat Trees (Sleek design & kitty chic)
> Wall Mounted Cat Cities (Epic cat superhighways)
+ Shelves (Standalone perches)
> DIY (Homemade, do it yourself)
The Classical Cat Tree
Everyone knows the carpeted cat tree with sisal legs. It’s the workhorse in the world of cat vertical space: comfy and functional, but hardly pleasing to the eye. But still, there’s definitely something cozy and homey about these, no? And cats sure dig them.
A couple good bets by good brands:
Small
Go Pet Club Cat Tree – 52″
Kitty Pad Cat Tree – 50″
PetPals Contemporary Tree – 49″
Medium
Go Pet Club Condo – 62″
Armarkat Tree – 72″
SONGMICS Tree, 53″
Monstrous
Go Pet Club Fortress – 72″
Kitty Mansion Tree – 73″
Kitty Mansion Metropolis – 92″
Slightly more contemporary:
CO-Z Cat Condo, 57″
SONGMIC Cat Tree, 35″
Penn Plax cat tree – 68″
Modern Cat Trees
Here’s where it gets a little more fun. These pieces add a whole lot of style to a cat tree’s functionality, and should elicit a bit more than a “Oh..I see you have cats” from your guests. (Expect something a bit more like “Is that a cat thing? ..It’s kind of… awesome.”)
Sauder Cat Sphere
Refined Feline Lotus tree
Vesper Cat Condo
Sauder Shelf- no longer available
Vesper mini condo
Vesper mini condo
Squarecat modern tree
Sebastian cat tower
Wall Mounted Cat Cities
Perhaps my favorite vertical kitty space solution of all is cat shelves. They’re just so incredibly versatile, and not to mention super epic looking. Plus, they don’t take up any floor space and can double as modern art. (That statement is barely satire — have you seen some of the stuff that passes for art these days??)
It’s like having a giant cat aquarium in your living room. Or a cutaway ant farm, except cuddlier. When I finally lock down a house of my own, you can bet your ass the first thing I’m gonna do is design the most badass cat wall jungle gym of all time (and post incessant pictures of its progress). Don’t tell my husband. He doesn’t know yet.
The foremost enabler of my wall-mounted cat city dreams is Catastrophic Creations. I discovered them recently thanks to a tip from a fellow cat-thusiast. (Thanks Jose!)
Just look at the possibilities…
The pieces are sold in modules, like so:
The Roman Cat Fort – Cat Hammock Shelves
Vertical Play Structure
Hammock / Ladder Unit
Tiered Hammock Unit
Sisal Post Step
Indiana Jones Cat Bridge
And last but not least:
Super Mario Cat Complex – whaaaaat??? YASSSS.
Killll meeeeeee.
Shelves
For something a little less intense, there are smaller, standalone pieces like these –
Original Kitty Cot Window Perch
Refined Feline Cloud Cat Perch
K&H Kitty Sill
CosyAndDozy Curved Wall Perch
LikeKittysVille Wall Mounted Lounges
DIY
As most cat owners know, you don’t necessarily need to drop a load of cash to please your cats. For such dignified little critters, cats are surprisingly low maintenance. Here are a few awesome DIY cat vertical space solutions, ranging from simple to uber crafty.
DIY Classic Tree by Instructables
Real Cat Tree Tutorial by Lax Cat Creations
Ikea Expedit Shelving Unit Hack by Ikeahackers
Ikea Lack Table Cat Tower by Miss Caturday
Cat Shelves Tutorial by thehipsoiree
Repurposed Serving Tray Cat Perch by diyshowoff
Getting your cats to love their tree
No cat tree in the world will be enticing to your cats if it’s shoved in a back room somewhere.
If you’re going to make your home cat friendly, commit! Think like a cat. Where are the best views in your home? Where does the sun shine the most gloriously? You’ll likely have the best luck placing your cat tree against a wall and near a window, or in a corner (with a sweet vantage point of your home). Cats love corners, since they feel more secure with their backs against a wall, and 2 walls are better than one.
If you’re still having trouble getting kitty to warm up to their new climbing area, don’t despair. Sprinkle some catnip on it, tuck a few tasty treats on its shelves, and play with your cat with a wand toy near the space, enticing them to jump up onto the tree.
Give them a few days. Cats are notoriously wary of foreign objects, and more likely than not, you’ll catch them lounging on it before the week’s up.
Remember, it’s not hard to keep your cats happy.
Even if you don’t splurge on a state-of-the-art cat superhighway system, something as simple as a strategically placed bookshelf or armchair can work wonders in helping your cats feel safer, more comfortable, and more engaged with their home. Especially if your cats are strictly indoor cats (which I recommend), it’s important to ensure their environments are sufficiently enriching and stimulating.
Got any DIY ideas to share? How do you solve the problem of cat vertical space in your home?
Pin it!
…Onwards ho!
How to Add A Shelf To Your Shiny New Cat Tree
Sorting Through the Fabulous(ly weird) World Of Cat Toys
My Top 10 Most Indispensable, Bad Ass, Must-Have Kitty Things
I recently installed a corner shelf for my kitten so my dog can’t eat her food. I attached a metal bin to the wall underneath. She climbs and jumps to her food without a problem. I plan to add a scratching post, some steps, and a shelf for her to hangout higher up. The space I have is only 17″ wide. I’ve been trying to figure out how much clearance I need for the item above her food shelf so she doesn’t hit her head when jumping on the food shelf.Thank for for mentioning the clearance requirement of one foot. I’m looking forward to building up the wall.
I recently installed a corner shelf for my kitten so my dog can’t eat her food. I attached a metal bin to the wall underneath. She climbs and jumps to her food without a problem. I plan to add a scratching post, some steps, and a shelf for her to hangout higher up. The space I have is only 17″ wide. I’ve been trying to figure out how much clearance I need for the item above her food shelf so she doesn’t hit her head when jumping on the foid shelf.Thank for for mentioning the clearance requirement of one foot.m. I’m looking forward to building up the wall.
Your elevated cat hangouts are apparently the only ones which feature horizontal holes which require cats to climb up through them, and I assume that you experimented with various hole-diameters, so perhaps you can answer my question: assuming that there’s a slot of infinite length in a horizontal surface one foot above another horizontal surface, what would be the slot’s minimum width for cats in general to climb up through it, assuming that they were enticed by something such as catnip on top of the upper surface?
I should have just asked whether you’ve experimented with hole-size, and if so what you found to be the minimum.
I’ve realized that cat-shelves with access-holes aren’t as uncommon as I initially believed, and that there is a standard size, indicating that it has been found to be optimal.
Hi. Any suggestions for vertical structures for screened porch? I would think it would have to be kinda free standing and weatherproof but am clueless for materials.
Can my tripod cat use a cat tree or shelf?
Hello,
I just found your blog and I have been thinking about turning a high shelf in my living room into a cat sanctuary, can you tell me how high is too high? my ceilings are vaulted and at the peak of the vault I have a high empty shelf I would like to give my cats access to, but I worry that they may fall or try to jump from there. I plan to give them a creative fun walkway and shelving system to reach this shelf, but want to make sure it is safe for them. Can you tell me if you think this may be a good space for them?
Hi Angie, how tall is the shelf? Would it be possible to install a safety railing on the shelf (I’d say at least 8 inches high, 1ft is best)?
It should be a pretty simple DIY add-on if you’re already installing your own walkway. Most cats are quite clever and know not to jump from spaces that are too high (unless they have impaired vision or depth perception). If you have overly rambunctious young adult cats who tussle with and chase each other, I might rethink it until they’re a bit older.
Other than that, I’d also make sure whatever railing or lip I installed had some sort of grippy material (like sisal) wrapped around it. Even if a cat accidentally tumbles over, most have quick enough reflexes that they’ll be able to grab and pull themselves back up, provided the surface is sufficiently tactile. Best of luck!
I just started reading your blog. I was looking for real information aboucat food ingredients and this is the first I’ve found that’s telling truth. I have a 12 year oldfemale and a 15 month male. The 12 yr old was born in our house and the male was the only survivor of a feral mom. Both are indoor/outdoor. We are moving to a senior community and they will be indoor exclusively. I want to transition their food, and of coucourse the move will be an adjustment. I need help on how to do both. What do you recommend?
Hi Martha! I think a high-quality dry food like Petcurean go would be your best best. As for transitioning your cats indoors, I highly recommend investing in as much vertical space for your cats as you can. Install comfortable perches at every window in your new home, and stock up on a rotating selection of your cats’ favorite toys. Store them in a large ziploc filled with catnip, and cycle them out every few weeks to maintain their interest.
That said, know that there will be a transition period! Cats that are accustomed to unlimited free-reign of their neighborhood will typically become restless and frustrated when they realize they’re no longer allowed outdoors. Expect escape attempts and a period of intense vocalizing/possibly destructiveness. Obviously we want to minimize this as much as possible with lots of distractions and enrichment indoors, but it’s good to be prepared. If at all possible, try to see if you can install an indoor/outdoor fenced-in “catio” for your cats on an outdoor patio or balcony, or install a protruding unit from your window, like so: https://catiospaces.com/catios-cat-enclosures/catios-cat-enclosure/build-diy-catio-plan-for-your-cat/
Best of luck!
My cats have been separated for over a year after some horrifying battles. They were best friends for 5 1/2 yrs then BAM! my old cat tree fell apart and I really want shelves but have no idea how to space them on my walls. I have a perfect corner for them. I did build a 6 ft high perch accessible using a 6ft carpet covered 4×4 post. They love it…problem is it’s in a bedroom.
Can you give me some points on spacing shelves?
Hi Carol! As long as you can imagine your cats being able to leap comfortably from one shelf to the next, cats can usually make do with imperfectly-spaced shelves. Try not to stack any right on top of each other, but alternate them with diagonal spacing (like steps), with ideally at least 1 foot of clearance above each shelf, depending on your cat’s size. There are no hard and fast rules, so try to have fun with it!
I love your blog. I never sign up for things but I loved this too muc to pass. We found 2 starving kittens on one of our roads through our property. They are outside cats with their home in the garage. I’m going to use your info to make/buy some things. Thank you for your time doing this. My grands gonna love it.
Hi Diane, thanks so much for following along. Glad to have you! :]
I found a perfect functional solution using IKEA Hemnes bookcases and matching shelves that serve as steps. I put stair gripper carpet on each step/shelf to make sure not slippery. Pixie our hybrid Maine Coon loves this setup> She goes up there many times a day and peers down on us lowly humans. Inexpensive and very attractive.
Lovely idea! I’m a huge fan of IKEA hacks. Thanks for sharing!
This is awsome !
We tried a cat tree first but it took too much space of our tiny appartnment, and i was affraid to use the window perch causei read some cases the window broke and hurt the cat 🙁
So eventually I came up with this cat hammock, my cat lovessss:
http://www.Katzy.co
love this blog
🙂
I have few cat trees. I love making them. You gave such great ideas. Mom would love it. Thanks
Hey Ana, thanks for your comment! I agree- if you’re especially crafty, making cat trees (and cat-ifying a house in general) is just so damn fun.
Jut discovered your blog! We are a cat/dog family, but we just got our first kitten in years and years, and our first totally indoor cat (after an unfortunate accident took our last kitty). I love the idea of creating some of these vertical spaces. Thanks for such a great post!
Oh no, I’m so sorry about your kitty.. :[
But yes, creating fun vertical space for cats is my version of gardening. Haha!
Does this notion of cats wanting to be up high change with age? Toulousey is turning 8 years old this May and he seems to love the couch & barely goes on his cat tree. I think the highway wall is an awesome idea, but what if he isn’t into it?
Is there a way to test this without making a hole in my wall?
It’s very possible! Older cats’ energy levels tend to go down, but at 8 years old Toulouse should still be in his prime. If he used his tree a lot previously but not so much recently, it could be his age.
Is the tree comfortable to rest on and easy/stable to climb? Does it offer him nice views of his domain? The practicality, sturdiness, and placement of a tree (from a cat’s perspective) are crucial in determining whether a cat will take to it. Try moving it next to a sunny window. At the end of the day, if he’s still pretty active and likes to climb things/explore his environment, there’s a good chance he’ll take to cat shelves!
Oh, another caveat – I know of cats who really don’t like hammocks (or having to step on anything that doesn’t feel stable). So unless you’re sure Toulouse likes cat hammocks, it might be best to stay away from the stretchy hammock units. You can almost never go wrong, however, with a sturdy, padded shelf (especially if it curves in a bowl shape). I’ve never met a cat who didn’t like bowl-shaped surfaces.
We love our cat tree. And you’ve given the mom some ideas…those cat shelves are so cool!
Aren’t they?? I flipped out when I saw them. They’re so artsy-looking too.
Great post- you sure did a lot of research. I need to win the lottery, I love the wall stuff and know my cats would too. We have a few cat trees, but can always use more.
Thank you! And yeah, I have to work my way up to the wall stuff… they definitely aren’t cheap. :/ Hoping I can learn to become super crafty one day and make my own!