Cats are fun and playful creatures that have a tendency to wreck your favorite piece of furniture. Cat trees were sort of created for that purpose, to keep your cat from plunging its claws in your precious ottoman and to focus its energy on something else.
However, if your cat tree tends to wobble there’s a good chance your cat won’t come near it, which isn’t the ideal situation. Here are some other reasons your cat won’t use its cat tree.
In this article, we’ll take a look at why wobbly cat trees don’t sit well with cats. We’ll also discuss some important tricks to stop your cat tree from wobbling, and our recommendation for the best cat tree that is completely wobble-proof.
Let’s get started!
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Are Car Trees Supposed to Wobble?
The short answer is no, cat trees shouldn’t wobble. In fact, a wobbly cat tree can cause your cat to have a negative association with cat trees altogether, and refuse to trust one ever again!
There are two ways you can get rid of this problem. The first one is to identify why your cat tree isn’t stable and fix the issue. The other is to go out and buy a new cat tree, and we’ll help you inspect it for specific aspects that’ll guarantee it’s never going to tip over.
How to Stop Cat Trees From Wobbling
If you’ve not given up on your cat tree yet, there are some things you can try and implement to make it steady.
Make a Larger Base Out of Pine Wood
The most common method to increase stability is to get a pre-cut thick piece of wood that can be a larger base for your cat tree.
By putting a larger base over the old one, you could better support the weight of the cat tree if the whole structure seems to be unbalanced.
Choose the thickest piece of wood you can find, your local carpenter can help you find one. The base size to height ratio should be around 1 foot of base diameter for every 1 foot of cat tree height. Don’t settle for less than 1-inch thick wood.
Next, drill some screws in the new base through the old base from the underside. You can add felt to cover the screws at the bottom of the base.
Don’t forget to measure the length of the bases so you don’t end up with a screw coming out through the other side. It would be extremely unsafe for your car.
Make Sure All the Screws Are Tightened
This is the “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” of cat trees. Sometimes, a loose screw can cause the entire structure to be on the verge of toppling over.
Check each screw one by one. Make sure the hanger bolts are properly forced into the metal part and screwed tightly.
If the screws are tightened but the adjoined wood pieces are still not secure, you can hammer in a couple of wood screws as hidden joints between the two wood pieces.
Secure Cat Tree to the Floor
If you want to fully stabilize your wobbly cat tree, you can buy some L-shaped brackets and place one on each side of the base.
There are several ways you can utilize the L-brackets in increasing stability. The best way is to use screws to hold the cat tree against the floor. Put two screws on the side bracket and two more on the lower bracket. And that should be enough to plant the cat tree in its place.
Take It To a Hardware Store
If you have a hardware store a couple of blocks away, you could take a picture of your unit and take it there. They can give you insights on what’s causing the wobble and tips on how to solve it. They can even take your unit and fix it themselves!
Buying Guide for a Stable Cat Tree
If you’re out to buy a cat tree and want to make sure it’s stable for your cat, there are some things you need to check for. If you’re not ready to buy a new cat tree, then you need to know how to make it stable and safe for your cat.
Has a Wide Base
First of all, make sure the cat tree has a wide base. It doesn’t matter if it’s packed with features if it can’t stand up straight. A wide base will ensure the cat tree doesn’t wobble even when your cat makes a leap for it.
Made of Real Wood Only
Some cat trees are made of plastic, metal, or even thick cardboard. You should avoid anything that’s not real wood. Wood is dense enough to hold its own weight, but it’s also safe if your cat claws it. Cardboard can tear, and steel can injure your cat’s paws.
Stays Secure After Reassembly
It’s important that the cat tree can be disassembled and reassembled without losing its security. Loosening and tightening the screws over and over can widen the gaps and make the foundation unstable.
Usually, choosing cat trees made from durable types of wood is key to making sure screws don’t carve through the fibers and loosen up. Walnut, maple, and pine are all great examples of wood that is extremely durable.
Choose Reputable Manufacturers
Finally, if the company that manufactures the cat tree has years and years of experience, you’ll often have a pleasant experience using their products.
Make sure you choose a company that’s known for its skillful craftsmanship. It’s also essential to seek companies that offer a return policy and solid customer support.
Which Cat Tree Should I Buy?
Of course, you could avoid all that hassle and invest in a sturdy, high-quality cat tree that will last you a lifetime. Go Pet Club’s 62-inch cat tree is a wonderful choice when it comes to durability and functionality.
When we tested our unit, we immediately noticed how strong the compressed wood actually is. It doesn’t need to be secured to the floor to be stable. We also liked the beautiful design that includes scratch posts and Faux Fur that cover the entire cat tree.
You’ll find a hammock and a small hide-out space on the second level that will definitely occupy a lot of your cat’s time. The posts that are covered with natural sisal rope that enable your cat to exercise their claws without hurting your furniture.
Overall, a fairly priced model that is renowned for its years and years of proven durability. We just wished the hide-out space was a little bigger to fit a larger cat.
The Ultimate Wobble-Free Cat Tree
If you want a cat tree that’s as stable as a real tree, why not build one out of an actual tree!
Esmee Heebing is a YouTuber that built a 100% DIY cat tree using real branches. She gives us step-by-step instructions in a 20-minute video that outlines everything she does. Once you watch how simply she breaks down every process, you’ll find that it’s not hard to pull off at all.
It’s safe to say you won’t ever have to worry about wobbles with branches over 3 inches thick.
Wrapping Up
It’s not safe for your cat to climb on an unsteady cat tree. It can fall and potentially hurt itself. If you’ve tried all the previous methods to no avail, maybe it’s time to replace your old wobbly cat tree with a new one.
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