What's the right cat tree for senior cats?

The right cat tree for senior cats isn't a smaller one: it's one they can climb without jumping. That's the only shift in thinking that matters. Osteoarthritis affects the vast majority of cats over twelve, and it creeps in so quietly that most owners put it down to laziness — until the day their cat stops getting up onto the windowsill.

The signal that gets misread

A cat almost never limps and doesn't complain. What they do is give up: they stop getting onto the bed, pick the low armchair over the chest of drawers, hesitate before a jump they'd have made without thinking a year ago. To give them back the bed or the sofa, stairs with two to four steps sit right against the furniture; above 46 cm, a last, shorter jump remains.

Three changes to watch for after the age of ten:

• They gather themselves before jumping, or break up a jump they used to make in one go.
• They climb down backwards instead of jumping — coming down puts far more strain on the joints than going up.
• They sleep low down when they've always slept up high.

This isn't about comfort; it's about avoiding pain. And a high spot is every bit as necessary to a fifteen-year-old cat as to a three-year-old: it's where they keep watch, take shelter and manage their place in the household. Taking height away to “spare them” means taking away their lookout post.

What to look for now

Total height: 50 to 80 cm

Not because they no longer deserve height, but because they need to be able to reach every level. A 1.60 m tree where they only use the first platform does them no more good than a 70 cm model — and it takes up four times the space.

Gap between levels: 20 to 25 cm

This is the deciding factor, more important than the height itself. At this spacing, your cat steps from one level to the next rather than jumping. A 1.20 m model served entirely by a ladder or staggered platforms is ideal for a fit senior; an 80 cm model with two platforms 40 cm apart is not.

A ramp or ladder rather than a springboard

Models designed with a continuous climb — a slope, closely spaced steps, staggered platforms — are the ones that preserve independence the longest. It's also the feature that makes a tree usable by a kitten: the two have the same need, for opposite reasons.

Soft, enclosed beds

An older cat regulates their body temperature less well and finds hard surfaces uncomfortable. Go for padded beds with raised edges that hold them snugly — a basket bed or a woven basket rather than a flat platform they slide around on. An enclosed house is a big help for cats who feel the cold; the opening should stay wide, around 25 cm, so they don't have to contort themselves to get in.

Rock-solid stability

A cat with sore joints has poor reflexes when it comes to catching themselves. A tree that moves under them isn't just off-putting: it's a real fall risk. A wide base, enough weight, backed against a wall.

Beds that hold them snugly
Its two woven baskets have raised edges that hold your cat in place instead of letting them slide, and a round sheltered bed waits beneath the lowest platform. See the wooden cat tree →

Adjustments that cost next to nothing

• An intermediate step. A pouffe, an upturned crate or a stool placed at the foot of the tree makes a model reachable again. Often, that's all that's missing.
• A non-slip mat under the tree and on the platforms. Tiles and polished wooden floors are the worst enemies of a cat who struggles to compensate.
• Gentle warmth. A thick blanket on the main bed, or a thermostatically controlled heated pad for pets, noticeably eases the joints at rest.
• Move the tree closer to the radiator or a sunny window, without pushing it right up against the glass: at this age, warmth is a real draw.

Don't replace the tree overnight

Older cats don't cope well with change, and their tree has carried their scent for years. Set the new one up next to the old one and let the two stand side by side for two to three weeks. Put a piece of fabric from the old bed on the new one: that scent transfer is what tips the balance. Only remove the old tree once you see your cat sleeping on the new one.

A trip to the vet is a must

A cat who stops climbing deserves a vet visit. Osteoarthritis can be treated — suitable pain relief, supplements, weight management — and a cat whose pain is eased often starts climbing again. An accessible tree supports that treatment; it doesn't replace it. No adjustment makes up for pain that isn't being treated.

Our cat trees for senior cats

• The wooden tree with woven rattan baskets — 60 × 40 × 100 cm. A low design, with woven basket beds and raised edges that an older cat can curl up in and stay warm.
• The tree with hammock and house — 55 × 38 × 132 cm, on a base that's squat for its height. It's taller, so it suits an older cat who's still agile: its taut fabric hammock moulds to their body instead of leaving them lying flat.

The cat trees collection features all three models. For height guidelines by profile, see how tall a cat tree should be; to weigh it all up, there's our guide to choosing a cat tree. And if your cat has just stopped using theirs, the seven reasons a cat ignores their cat tree are worth a look — age is one of them, but not the only one.