You already know by now that we recently invested in an AmazonBasics Cat Tree and here’s my update after a few weeks of using the AmazonBasics Cat Tree. As always, I always update my review if anything changes (ie. if my cats stop using it, use it more, etc.)
It’s Easy To Build
As someone who used to build a number of cat trees a day at work, I found this cat tree very simple to build. Some cat trees come with too many parts or unclear instructions, but the AmazonBasics Cat Tree is very simple and comes with very clearly labelled instructions. Every piece has letters on it, making sure that you don’t get confused, especially if the parts look very similar.
It’s Comes at A Good Price
If you’re cat owners you know how expensive cat trees can be. I’m happy to say that I found this price reasonable. The cheapest cat tree of this size I’ve found in stores is around $150 Can, while this one was $70. So, as soon as my sister suggested I buy it I convinced my partner to let me get it for our cats! Now, prices of cat trees vary from store to store, as well as location to location, so it might not be the same (especially for my American readers.)
It’s Not That Big…
My one main concern is the fact that this cat tree isn’t that big. It’s a perfect size for a kitten like Kalista, but the top doesn’t look big enough for adult cats. For example, Beau never uses the top. We don’t know if it’s because of its size, or just because he doesn’t care about being high up. Kalista has always liked being as high up as possible, but Beau’s more interested in being around the people he loves. So, I guess I won’t be able to tell if the cat tree is a good size for adults until Kalista gets a bit older. The bottom tiers are definitely big enough for cats, and Beau does use them.
It Has Multiple Tiers and Scratching Posts
I love the fact that it has multiple tiers. This is probably my favourite part of the cat tree. The cat tree, similar to most, gets wider at the base, making those a great place for cats to stretch out in the sun. Honestly, I can’t wait to put this cat tree in our sunroom so the cats can enjoy the sunlight.
Our cats don’t use the scratching posts very often since they like using the couch more (sigh), but they do love kneading the carpet. I’m hoping that once the cat tree is in a room that both the cats love they’ll use the posts more often. For now, it seems to be mostly Kalista’s safe haven.
Sturdiness
It’s always worrying when you buy a new cat tree, especially when it’s less expensive than the others. I’ve seen some really terrible cat trees that can’t support heavier cats, however, the AmazonBasics tree has thick durable posts that can take the weight of a few cats. I’m not sure what it’s weight limit is, to be honest, but I can say that it holds our two cats well with no problem (and Beau is a bit of a chubster.)
Conclusion
All-in-all, I think the AmazonBasics cat tree deserves a 4.5/5. The only reason this product loses some marks is because I don’t think it’s big enough. Otherwise, for the price that it’s at it’s amazing and I’m sure will make our cats happy for a long time! Will definitely keep you updated if anything changes!
**Edit: 10/30/2018: Alright folks, it’s official. Beau is using this cat tree daily whenever Kalista isn’t in it. At first I was worried that he would be too heavy for the top tier, but it seems like it’s still fully stable even when he jumps to the top. I’ll upload photos ASAP, but it’s quite adorable when he’s up there. I have to change my score to a 5/5! Congrats AmazonBasics! You’ve done well.
That might be a good size for here where space is at a premium. We do not have anything even that large. Pipo likes the improvised tree we made him by the large window in our dining room, it gets the best sun puddles. So its a small condo and a small tree joined together. Works well. Anything bigger would not fit there, or it would encourage Pipo to jump onto the dining-room table…no thanks! There used to be a floor to ceiling platform tree there, but it collapsed under the weight of to kitties romping on it…and it fell onto our dinnertime. Ooops.
I donated that to a local shelter…
I completely feel you on the space thing. I’m very, very glad we got a bigger apartment, especially because I hope to return to working from home next semester.
I can’t wait to also build my cats an “improvised cat tree” in the future, but yes this is absolutely a good cat tree for smaller spaces. Do you mind pointing out which one ended up collapsing so I can make note of it to either avoid it or look into if they’ve come up with a better design? I definitely don’t want a cat tree falling from the ceiling!! <3
That tree was a pole, sisal wrapped, and it had a springloaded top to adjust for the ceiling height. There were three or four shelves on it. It seemed sturdy enough, ,but our ceiling is made of suspended soft tiles (Lame eh?!), and therefore it was not able to be tightly held in place no matter how I tried. I cannot remember the brand, but I just bought it at our local store, kind of like a super Walmart…I got it about 14 years ago, when Pipo (And Minko) were kittens…they loved it, and Minko would go to the top and bat at Pipo…or they would sit there and watch the outside activity,,,or swat at bugs in the window. That was before we had our new windows…and long before our blogging days. So there are only a few pictures, and they are not digital…
Great review, I appreciate your honest opinion.
No problem 🙂 It’s my pleasure.