A cat tower shaped like a Christmas tree gives your cat its own festive climbing spot. Compare four Christmas tree cat trees, learn what to check before you buy, and keep it safe.
This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Advertisement
Every December, cat owners share the same photo: a cat sitting proudly at the top of the Christmas tree, surrounded by fallen baubles. A Christmas tree cat tree solves that problem in the most festive way possible. It's a cat tower designed to look like a Christmas tree, with platforms, condos and scratching posts where the branches would be.
Your cat gets its own tree to climb, scratch and nap in, and you get a decoration that actually belongs in a cat-loving home. And unlike a real tree, it keeps working long after the decorations are packed away.
Below you'll find four Christmas tree cat towers worth considering, a simple guide to choosing the right one, and safety tips from vets and cat welfare groups so your cat's festive tree stays safe.
Quick comparison
| Cat tower | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| PuzzlePaw Christmas tree cat tower, about 88 cm (34.6") | Small spaces and single-cat homes | Compact tree shape, condo and scratching surfaces |
| LUCKLIFE 54" cat Christmas tree with 3 condos | The classic tree look | Tall green tree shape with three hideaway condos |
| Christmas cat tree with 2 condos and natural sisal posts | Larger cats and multi-cat homes | Two condos and natural sisal scratching posts |
| 32" small cat tower with large hammock and self groomer | A year-round option you can decorate | Large hammock and built-in grooming brush |
Prices change often, so check the current price on each listing before you decide.
Why a Christmas tree cat tree works
It gives your cat a "yes" tree
Cats love to climb. Agriculture Victoria explains that elevated places such as shelves and window ledges give indoor cats a sense of security and enrichment, and let them watch what's going on around them. A real Christmas tree looks like the perfect climbing frame to a cat, which is why so many end up toppled.
A festive cat tower gives your cat somewhere it's allowed to climb, right next to the action, instead of the family tree.
It satisfies the urge to scratch
Agriculture Victoria also notes that cats scratch to sharpen their claws, stretch, relieve stress and mark their territory, and recommends offering both vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces. Most Christmas tree cat towers include sisal-wrapped posts, so your cat can scratch the "trunk" instead of your couch.
It lasts beyond Christmas
Once the season is over, take off the festive decorations, or leave them on, and your cat still has a sturdy tower to use all year. Many owners find their cat refuses to give it up anyway.
The four picks
1. Best for small spaces: PuzzlePaw Christmas Tree Cat Tower (about 88 cm)
This compact, tree-shaped tower stands about 88 cm (34.6 inches) tall. It's a good fit for apartments, smaller living rooms and single-cat homes, and its shorter height makes it easier for kittens and senior cats to use.
Good for: small homes, kittens, older cats, a festive corner without taking over the room.
Things to check: the platform size, so your cat can lie down comfortably, and the weight limit if you have a large cat.
2. Closest to the classic tree look: LUCKLIFE 54" Cat Christmas Tree with 3 Cozy Condos
If you want a cat tower that really looks like a Christmas tree, this tall green design is the one. At around 137 cm (54 inches), it has three hideaway condos stacked up the "trunk", giving your cat several places to perch and hide.
Good for: the classic Christmas tree look, cats that love to hide, households with more than one cat.
Things to check: the base width, and plan to anchor it to the wall, since tall towers are more likely to tip.
3. Best for bigger cats: Cat Christmas Tree with 2 Cozy Condos and Natural Sisal Scratching Posts
This larger tree-style tower has two condos and natural sisal scratching posts. It suits bigger cats and multi-cat homes that need sturdier platforms and more scratching space.
Good for: large breeds such as Maine Coons, multi-cat homes, cats that scratch a lot.
Things to check: the condo openings are big enough for your cat, and the weight limit on each platform.
4. Year-round alternative: 32" Small Cat Tower with Large Hammock and Self Groomer
This one isn't shaped like a Christmas tree, but it's a practical, compact tower with a large hammock and a built-in self-grooming brush. Add a few soft felt decorations for December, then enjoy it as an everyday cat tower for the rest of the year.
Good for: cats that love hammocks, owners who prefer a neutral tower, smaller budgets.
Things to check: the hammock size suits your cat, and the base is stable when your cat jumps in and out.
How to choose a Christmas tree cat tree
1. Height and space
Measure the corner where the tower will go, including ceiling height. Tall towers look impressive, but they need a wide base and more floor space. Compact towers suit apartments, kittens and older cats.
2. Stability
A tower that wobbles can frighten a cat away for good. Look for a wide, heavy base and thick posts. VCA Animal Hospitals recommends anchoring tall cat trees to the wall to prevent injury to your cat or anyone else in the home. Most towers come with a wall strap, or you can use a furniture anti-tip kit.
3. Platform size and weight limits
Your cat should be able to stretch out fully on at least one platform. VCA notes that in multi-cat homes, shelves need to support more than one cat's weight. Check the listed weight limit, especially for large breeds.
4. Scratching surfaces
Sisal rope or sisal fabric posts are the most popular with cats. Look for posts that can be replaced when they wear out, which makes the tower last longer.
5. Decorations
Many festive towers come with small attached decorations such as pompoms, bells or baubles. These look cute in photos, but they're the parts cats chew off and swallow. Remove any small, dangling or easily detached decorations before your cat uses the tower.
6. Hiding places
Condos and enclosed beds give shy cats somewhere to retreat during busy Christmas gatherings. Cats Protection recommends giving cats a quiet hiding place to escape the chaos of the festive season.
Which tower suits your cat?
| Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Small apartment | Compact tower, such as the PuzzlePaw |
| Want the classic tree look | Tall green tree with condos, such as the LUCKLIFE 54" |
| Large or heavy cat | Larger tower with sturdy platforms and sisal posts |
| Multiple cats | Tall tower with several condos and platforms |
| Kitten or senior cat | Compact tower with low, easy-to-reach platforms |
| Want something for every season | Neutral tower you can decorate, such as the 32" hammock tower |
Advertisement
Setting up your cat's Christmas tree
- Assemble it fully and tighten every bolt.
- Anchor it to the wall, especially if it's tall.
- Remove small decorations that could be chewed off.
- Place it in a calm corner where your cat can see the room, but not right next to the family Christmas tree, so it doesn't become a launch pad.
- Add your cat's scent by placing a blanket or bed your cat already uses on one platform.
- Encourage your cat with treats, catnip or silver vine on the platforms, and play with a wand toy around the tower.
- Check it every few days for loose bolts, worn sisal or damaged parts.
For more decorating ideas, including how to turn a regular cat tower into a Christmas tree, see our guide to Christmas cat tree ideas.
Assembly tips for a sturdy tower
Most cat towers arrive flat-packed. A careful assembly makes a big difference to how stable and long-lasting your tower will be.
- Lay out every part first and check nothing is missing or damaged.
- Follow the instructions in order. Posts usually need to be attached from the bottom up.
- Tighten bolts fully, but don't overtighten into soft board, which can strip the thread.
- Check the tower is level on your floor. Uneven floors and thick rugs can make a tower lean.
- Fit the wall strap before your cat uses the tower, not after the first wobble.
- Retighten bolts after the first week. Posts can loosen slightly as your cat climbs and settles them.
- Keep the spare parts and instructions in case you need to replace a sisal post or platform later.
If the tower still wobbles after tightening, move it into a corner, where two walls give extra support, and add a second anchor point.
Safe ways to decorate a cat's Christmas tree
If you'd like to add your own festive touches, choose decorations that are soft, firmly attached and too big to swallow:
- Felt stars and shapes, sewn or glued firmly in place
- Fabric bows stitched down, not tied with ribbon
- A fabric tree skirt around the base, with no loose threads
- Soft plush toys sewn onto the base
Avoid tinsel, ribbon, string, glass baubles, fairy lights and anything with small detachable parts. RSPCA Tasmania warns that tinsel, ribbons and string-like items can wrap around the intestines and cause serious damage. Cats Protection also advises keeping light wires covered and switching lights off at the wall when you're out.
Other Christmas safety tips for cat owners
A cat tower solves the climbing problem, but there are other festive hazards to watch:
- The family tree: Secure it so it can't topple, and use shatterproof ornaments. Our guide on how to keep cats out of the Christmas tree explains more.
- Lilies: Extremely toxic to cats and common in Christmas bouquets. Read our guide to lilies and cats.
- Christmas food: Ham fat, onion, chocolate and fruit cake can all make cats sick. See our guide to Christmas food that's dangerous for cats.
Christmas cat tree buying checklist
- [ ] I've measured the space and ceiling height.
- [ ] The tower has a wide, heavy base.
- [ ] I'll anchor it to the wall if it's tall.
- [ ] At least one platform is big enough for my cat to stretch out.
- [ ] I've checked the weight limit.
- [ ] It has sisal scratching posts, ideally replaceable.
- [ ] I'll remove any small or dangling decorations.
- [ ] I'll place it away from the family Christmas tree.
- [ ] I've checked the current price and recent reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Christmas tree cat tree?
It's a cat tower designed to look like a Christmas tree, usually green, with platforms, condos and sisal scratching posts. It gives your cat its own festive place to climb and scratch, and can help keep it away from the family tree.
Will a Christmas cat tree stop my cat climbing the real tree?
It can help, but it isn't guaranteed. Place the cat tower away from the family tree, reward your cat for using it, and secure the real tree so it can't fall if your cat still tries to climb.
Are Christmas tree cat towers safe?
They can be, if you choose a stable tower, anchor tall ones to the wall, and remove small decorations that could be chewed off. VCA Animal Hospitals recommends anchoring tall cat trees to prevent injury.
What size Christmas cat tree should I buy?
It depends on your space and your cat. Compact towers around 80 to 90 cm suit small homes, kittens and older cats. Taller towers around 130 cm or more suit active cats and multi-cat homes, but need a wider base and wall anchoring.
Can I use a Christmas cat tree all year?
Yes. Most festive cat towers work just as well after Christmas. Remove the festive decorations, or leave them on if you like, and your cat keeps its climbing and scratching space all year.
How do I get my cat to use its new cat tree?
Put it where your cat already likes to spend time, add a familiar blanket, sprinkle catnip or silver vine on the platforms, and play with a wand toy around it. Reward your cat with treats whenever it climbs up.
Related guides
Sources
- Agriculture Victoria, Creating the perfect indoor haven
- VCA Animal Hospitals, How to make vertical space for cats
- Cats Protection, Cats at Christmas
- RSPCA Tasmania, Make sure your pet has a pawsome Christmas
Product details can change, so always check the current listing before you buy. This guide is general information only and not a substitute for advice from your vet.
Advertisement