Every cat is unique. Your cat is different than my cats. My cats are different than each other and different than their brother. Each unique cat is going to have unique preferences for treats, toys, and even places to lounge.
While some cats will take to a tradition cat tree, that’s not always going to be the case. That’s where one of my new favorite cat products comes into play: modular cat trees. These are the perfect solution to a picky cat that doesn’t seem to like anything you bring home. Let’s talk about why.
What Are Modular Cat Trees?
Modular cat trees exist somewhere between DIY option and a regular cat tree. In some ways, they’re similar to cat shelves in that you have room for customizability. These pieces of cat furniture come with interchangeable parts (or modules, hence the name) that allow you to arrange and assemble them in the way that your cat (and you) find most appealing.
Unlike cat shelves, they are much easier to reconfigure because you won’t need to patch holes in your wall to move them around. That said, you may not have quite the same degree of customization that you can do depending on which modular cat tree you get.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Modular Cat Furniture?
Modular cat trees have a lot of things that you’ll love about them including:
- Customization to your needs: If you are looking for a hard to find features in a climbing space for your cats, you may have an easier time using modular furniture to make a cat tree that suits your needs.
- Reduction in waste: Because you can reconfigure the cat tree if your cat doesn’t take a liking to it, you’ll spend less in the long run. The tree will be less likely to end up in the dumpster.
- Can be altered as your cat ages: Kittens and senior cats have different needs and abilities. You can rearrange the cat tower as your cat ages so they can enjoy it their whole life.
- Unique offerings: There are some REALLY cool modular cat trees available with features you won’t find elsewhere.
- Multipurpose: Many modules include scratchers, enrichment items, or even things for you.
They’re Not Perfect
Of course, everything has its downsides. Keep in mind the following before you invest in one:
- More assembly required: Most of the time, these will require a bit more assembly and thinking than a traditional cat tree.
- Upfront cost: Some of the modular cat trees can be pricey up front or the cost can add up if you get a bunch of add on modules or accessories. That said, it may cost you less or save you frustration compared to than having to return a static cat tree your cat may or may not like.
- Limited options: While more modular cat trees are on the market than when I got started working with cats, you don’t have the variety you see with other pieces of cat furniture.
- Preset arrangements: Your creativity may be a bit stifled depending on which tower you get as there may be limits to how it can be assembled.
What Types Of Modular Cat Trees Are There?
Modular cat towers come in a few styles currently, but I find it’s most helpful to think about them in terms of how customizable they are. While these won’t be as much work as starting from scratch to make your own cat furniture or planning a cat wall, there is a wide range of how much work you need to do to assemble them.
Preset Arrangements
Some modular cat towers can only be assembled in a few preset arrangements. This may seem like it’s not a good thing, but it actually can be. If you don’t want to think too much, these towers are a good choice. Plus, each arrangement likely has a type of cat or situation it’s best for.
A great example of this is the Transformable Cat Tree from Happy and Polly. It has three arrangements that are better for kittens, chonks, or active cats. Whichever one applies to your cat can guide you to which arrangement is best. Plus, if things change you can reassemble it in a different arrangement later.
Semi-Structured
If you want more options, you can pick a modular cat tower that has preset, suggested arrangements, but still allows you to get creative. Some of these towers, such as Modular Cat Tree from CatsPlay Cat Furniture, can be assembled in endless arrangements. Physics is really the only limiting factor!
Probably the best example (and the one I’d recommend if you’re looking for a moderate effort but high customizability modular cat tree) The Infinity Cat Tree is a perfect example of this. You can mix and match parts to your heart’s content, but there are a few base models that you can start with. Even if you want the bones of the tower to remain the same, you can swap out different toys and accessories.
Best of all? If you order through PetLibro’s website directly and use my exclusive code CLASS15, you’ll get 15% off anything except the accessories through the end of 2024.
Free For All
Now if you really want customizability, there are few modular cat trees that allow a ton of customization. I have one of these, the Purrini. I bought the biggest set available during preorder and assembled it the day it came for Zoloft.
He never really was that interested in it and his brothers never really took to it either before, unfortunately, one of them got diarrhea all over it during their second episode of giardia. I ended up throwing away a lot of it because I already had so much to clean. It was extremely customizable, though, so check it out if you want a lot of freedom.
THE Coolest Modular Cat Tower
By far my favorite high customizability modular cat tree is the Freestyle from Omlet. The client who introduced this to it originally had such a cool arrangement and their cats had such a great time playing on it. You install a series of floor to ceiling poles (or just a single one) and add elements to it as you see fit based on your cat’s personality. There are platforms, scratchers, plant holders, and so much more.
It’s more involved to assemble, but holy cats is it worthwhile. If you have a catio, there’s even an outdoor version.
Should You Get A Modular Cat Tower?
Hopefully you’re just as jazzed about modular cat trees as I am. These are really cool new products that more and more keep coming out each year. If you want customized cat furniture but don’t want to make your own, store bought is fine. In some cases, it’s more than fine. It’s really freakin’ cool. As long as you have the time and ability to put them together, your cat will be purring and leaping with delight on their custom made cat tree.
