Revealing The Best Cat Tree For Arthritic Cats You’ll Love

Cats bring a lot of joy into our households. With their funny behavior and adorable looks, we simply can’t resist their cuteness.

However, when they become older, they might not be as active as they used to be. Senior cats can suffer from joint pain as a result of several conditions such as arthritis.

Still, you’ll want your cat to have its own place where it could lounge and exercise as much as her movement would allow. Let’s find out more about how you can achieve this.

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What Is Arthritis in Cats?

In short words, arthritis is one of the main reasons for joint pain or inflammation in cats. It goes by other names such as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

Wondering why it happens to older cats?

You should know first that the bones that make up a cat’s joint have a cushion of cartilage between them. As the cat gets older, this cushion gradually degenerates, causing the bones to rub against each other.

As a result, the joint becomes painful with movement.

Of course, senior cats are more prone to arthritis as a natural aging process. However, this condition might affect younger cats as well in cases of trauma or infections. Also, arthritis can be a result of an injury or dislocation of the joint.

In addition to that, an overweight cat might develop arthritis due to the strain of extra weight on her joints.

But how can you recognize the symptoms of arthritis to help your cat out?

Identifying the Symptoms

Generally, the most noteworthy symptom of arthritis is a decrease in a cat’s activity. Because moving her joints causes her pain, a cat will show overall stiffness and less flexibility than usual.

Also, it might wince or show discomfort if her owner pets or handles her in certain positions.

Other subtle changes in the behavior include:

• Reluctance to run or jump
• Less frequent litter box visits because of the pain that usually accompanies getting in and out
• Swelling of the joints

Of course, it’s a no-brainer that taking your cat to the vet should be on the top of your list if you notice one or more of these symptoms. The specialist will examine the cat, then decide the best way to eliminate her pain.

General Treatment Options

After running tests on the cat, the vet will follow one of the following scenarios, or more, according to the pet’s condition.

• Pain-relief medications
• Use of nutritional supplements to help heal the affected cartilage
• Weight loss if a cat is overweight

Importance of a Cat Tree to an Arthritic Cat

Some people believe that exercise will increase the pain that an arthritic cat might be suffering from. However, a cat needs to engage in short, gentle play to remain healthy.

Of course, this shouldn’t include running, jumping, or climbing. To figure out the best exercise plan for an arthritic cat, the owner must consult the vet first.

With all this in mind, we’ve figured out that some cat trees might help provide perfect exercise to your cat. These types target arthritic cats because they’re safer alternatives to traditional cat trees. Every cat should have access to a cat tree to help them stay in shape.

Let’s find out why investing in a cat tree might be a great idea.

A Safe Haven

If your cat has arthritis, then your top priority should be to keep her comfortable and relaxed. The right cat tree will give her that plus much more.

For starters, these trees will be seen as a safe haven where your cat can soothe her nerves. As her personal territory, she’ll feel safer and more at ease, which should keep her from feeling anxious or stressed out.

Naturally, the last thing you want your cat to face is stress or annoyance, especially if her joints hurt her whenever she moves.

An Answer to Many Needs

An arthritic cat can find it hard to jump to higher elevations or climb on the furniture. Still, cats don’t usually want to part with these habits that have been ingrained in them for generations.

A cat tree should be able to solve this problem. It normally includes a ramp so that the cat can go from one platform to another without the need to hop.

Also, some structures have platforms that aren’t too far apart in height that a cat should find them easy to reach.

One of the best qualities of a cat tree for arthritic felines is that they offer a lot of space for a cat to stretch her sore body. In addition, you should have plenty of room to give your cat her favorite blanket or toy.

The last thing we admire about a cat tree is that it comes with a scratching post, usually made of sisal rope. See, just because a cat is older doesn’t mean that she isn’t into sharpening her claws anymore.

A Reliable Structure

A good cat tree features high-quality, plush materials to ensure the comfort of your little friend. It’s solidly constructed to provide your cat with years of use.

High-end cat structures are usually made from steel or durable wood. Therefore, you can rely on one of them to hold the weight of your cat with premium durability.

Plus, as the cat grows, she’ll probably want to spend more hours sleeping on the perch. To answer her wish, all you have to do is buy her a tree that offers soft, padded bedding everywhere.

Selecting the Best Cat Tree for Arthritic Cats

We get to the fun part, now that you’re aware of how a cat tree can make a lot of difference in an arthritic cat’s life.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the best structures to match the needs of senior cats.

#1 FEANDREA Cat Tree

The first structure that we couldn’t help but admire is this cat tree by Feandrea. Its appearance gives off cozy vibes that your cat will probably appreciate.

Every part of this 2-level tower is covered by a soft material to help your cat relax. Also, we like that the distance between the perches isn’t too high. Therefore, your cat should be able to get to her favorite platform without jumping.

Another great thing about this product is that it offers two hide-outs where a cat can lounge or nap in peace. They also provide a level of privacy that your feline buddy sometimes needs.

Including two scratch posts, anti-toppling fittings, and a stable base, we suggest that you give this cat tree a shot.

Pros

• Padded with soft and plush material
• Spacious platforms
• Convenient perch positions
• Two scratch posts wrapped with natural sisal rope
• Can endure the weight of two large cats

Cons

• Some customers found it hard to assemble.

#2 Trixie Baza Grande Cat Tree

If you’re looking for another, more basic option, we highly recommend this cat tree by the well-known brand Trixie.

This smaller, yet convenient structure is suitable for senior cats. It’s entirely covered in thick, long hair plush to hug the shape of your cat and encourage her to chill out.

The tower consists of two plush platforms and a hammock. All these perches are spaced out perfectly to provide easier access to your cat. In addition, the hammock is reinforced with a metal frame to ensure durability and strength.

Also, the structure includes four posts wrapped in jute and plush so that your furry friend can scratch her preferred texture.

Pros

• Multiple, closely-spaced perches
• Soft and plush materials
• Includes a hammock with a metal frame
• Four scratching posts with different textures

Cons

• A few customers complained that the instructions for the assembly weren’t clear enough

#3 FEANDREA Cat Tree with Sisal-Covered Scratching Posts

Here’s another cat tree by Feandrea that we absolutely adore. It has all the incredible qualities of its siblings, plus a lot more options if you’re interested.

For starters, it includes a basket lounger, a well-padded viewing perch on the top, and a 2-door hide-out spot. Even better, it features a ramp that can be used to get to the higher levels or as a scratching board.

Also, you can count on its durability. With its reinforced base plate and high-quality engineered wood, you can expect it to last for years.

Pros

• Various types of perches
• Features a ramp that doubles as a scratching board
• Sisal-covered posts
• Strong base and construction
• Soft padding

Cons

• Might not be optimal for larger cats

The Bottom Line

A cat that has arthritis can be tired and less inclined to participate in any sort of activity. After taking her to the vet for treatment, your best bet is to invest in a cat tree for arthritic cats.

A reliable cat tower will grant your feline friend a place to rest, sleep, and exercise without putting much strain on her little joints.

If you ask us, we think that the FEANDREA Cat Tree with Sisal-Covered Scratching Posts is one of the best options out there.

It can provide much-needed comfort to your cat, not to mention that it’s durable.

However, if you’re looking for a more simplistic alternative, we suggest that you go for the Trixie Baza Grande Cat Tree.

Don’t forget to check out some of the best cat trees for declawed cats, which are perfect for indoor cats.