Feandrea Cat Tree, 81.1-Inch Large Cat Tower, Multi-Level Condo, Smoky Gray

Why it's worth it

This is a 5-foot-9 tower with two caves, two padded perches and a hammock, plus scratching surfaces on every level. Owners of cats over 20 pounds report the hammock and platforms hold up, and the short gaps between levels mean a heavy cat can walk up instead of leaping.

For a large cat, the spacing between levels matters as much as the height. Feandrea keeps the gaps to 12 to 16 inches. That's a step, not a jump. A 20-pound cat with stiff hips can work his way to the top without launching, and he can come back down the same way instead of dropping five feet onto your floor. Taller trees with big gaps look impressive and then go unused above the second platform.

You get two caves, two perches and a hammock spread across five levels. That's the layout you want in a multi-cat house, because the big cat and the small cat can both claim territory without negotiating. Veterinary behaviorists generally suggest one perch per cat plus one extra, and this single tower gets you there for two or three cats. Research in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery links elevated resting spots to meaningfully lower stress hormone levels.

From our review of 8 cat trees for large breeds, by James Bennett, Associate Editor

What we like

• +For a large cat, the spacing between levels matters as much as the height
• +You get two caves, two perches and a hammock spread across five levels
• +The base is reinforced and an anti-tip kit comes in the box
• +There are 14 scratching areas, including a ramp that doubles as a ladder

What to know

• –The manufacturer rates it for cats up to 15.4 pounds each, which is below what a full-grown Maine Coon or Ragdoll male weighs
• –It's particleboard, not solid wood
• –The caves are the annoying part of assembly