How to Get Your Cat to Use a Cat Tree

A cat tree can offer a place to climb, rest, scratch, hide, or watch the room, but simply owning one does not mean your cat will use it. If your cat ignores the tree, the answer is usually not to place them on it repeatedly or keep adding treats. Start by checking whether the tree feels safe, is comfortable to access, and provides something your cat actually values.

Some cats need time to investigate an unfamiliar object. Others dislike a particular surface, platform, route, or location. In multi-cat homes, one cat may quietly control access. A cat with pain or reduced mobility may want to use the tree but find it difficult.

You cannot guarantee that every cat will use every cat tree. You can, however, identify likely barriers and test sensible changes without pressure.

Quick Answer

To encourage your cat to use a cat tree:

Check that it is stable, undamaged, and safe.
Decide what you expect your cat to use it for.
Compare its surfaces, platforms, and access route with your cat’s demonstrated preferences.
Allow voluntary exploration without lifting or trapping your cat on it.
Test one meaningful change at a time.
Watch for competition from other cats or signs of pain and reduced mobility.

If your cat has suddenly stopped using a previously favored tree or has become reluctant to jump, climb, or use stairs, arrange a veterinary assessment rather than treating the change as a training problem.

Decide What “Using the Cat Tree” Would Mean

A cat tree is usually expected to serve several purposes, but your cat may value only one of them. Before trying to change the cat’s behavior, decide what successful use would look like.

Are you hoping your cat will:

sleep on a platform;
observe the room from above;
climb for activity;
hide in an enclosure;
scratch a post;
play around the different levels; or
move away from furniture or another resting place?

Partial use still counts. A cat that scratches the base but never sleeps on the top platform is using the tree. So is a cat that rests on one low level and ignores the enclosed bed.

The problem may be a mismatch between your expectation and what that particular tree provides. A cat that prefers open observation points may avoid a covered enclosure. A cat that likes horizontal scratching may ignore a vertical post. A large cat may not feel comfortable turning around or resting on a small platform.

Instead of asking, “Why won’t my cat use the tree?” ask, “What behavior do I want the tree to support, and does this tree make that behavior comfortable?”

Rule Out a Safety or Access Problem First

Do not use treats, toys, or catnip to persuade a cat onto a structure that may be unsafe.

Check the Entire Structure

Press gently on different parts of the tree and look for movement, tilting, sliding, or loose sections. Inspect the covering, platforms, enclosures, connectors, and scratching surfaces.

Temporarily prevent access if you find:

a base that tips or slides;
loose or rotating platforms;
damaged joints or connectors;
exposed staples, screws, or other fasteners;
torn material that may trap a claw;
long loose fibers or cords;
hazardous gaps; or
any indication that the tree cannot safely support your cat.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when assembling, securing, maintaining, or repairing the product. If the tree cannot be made reliably safe within those instructions, replace it rather than trying to persuade your cat to trust it.

A previous wobble, fall, loud noise, or frightening event may also explain avoidance. Fixing the physical problem is essential, but it may not immediately remove the cat’s negative association.

Look at the Route Up and Down

A stable tree may still be difficult to use if the first platform is awkward to reach, the levels are too far apart, or the available landing areas are too small.

Watch your cat approaching naturally. Do they examine the first step and turn away? Reach upward without committing? Use the lowest platform but avoid the next one? These details are more useful than repeatedly placing the cat higher up.

Do not create demanding jumps or encourage vigorous climbing when a cat appears hesitant, stiff, weak, or unsteady. A lower resting point, broad step, or different accessible resource may suit that cat better.

Check the Location Briefly

This article focuses on persistent nonuse rather than choosing a room from scratch, but location can still undermine an otherwise suitable tree. A cat may avoid a tree that feels exposed, interrupts a narrow route, sits near an unpredictable disturbance, or offers no comfortable way to leave.

If location appears to be the main issue, use the more detailed guide to where you should put a cat tree rather than changing several other features at once.

Work Out Why Your Cat Is Ignoring the Tree

Observe what happens before changing anything. The following clues can help you identify the most useful variable to test.

What You Notice	Possible Explanation	A Safe Variable to Test
Your cat approaches but will not step onto the tree	Movement, an unpleasant surface, novelty, or a past scare	Recheck stability and allow quiet investigation
Only the lowest level is used	Higher levels may be difficult to reach or less comfortable	Provide an easier manufacturer-approved route or accept lower-level use
Your cat climbs elsewhere but ignores the tree	The alternative may offer a better view, surface, size, route, or social position	Compare what the preferred location provides
The platforms are visited but the scratching posts are ignored	The scratching angle, material, or usable area may not match the cat’s preference	Address the scratching function separately
The cat sniffs the tree and leaves	The tree may still smell unfamiliar or strongly manufactured, perfumed, or cleaned	Allow neutral familiarization and avoid adding strong scents
One cat uses the tree while another stays away	Access may be socially controlled	Observe routes, staring, waiting, chasing, and alternative resources
A previously enthusiastic user suddenly avoids it	Damage, instability, a frightening event, pain, or reduced mobility may be involved	Inspect the tree and consider veterinary assessment

These are possibilities, not diagnoses. One observation rarely proves why a cat is avoiding the tree.

Compare the Tree With Your Cat’s Existing Preferences

Your cat is already showing you what they value. Look at the places where they choose to rest, scratch, hide, climb, or observe.

Consider whether they prefer:

open platforms or enclosed spaces;
low, moderate, or high resting points;
soft, firm, rough, or smooth surfaces;
horizontal, angled, or vertical scratching;
wide resting areas or snug spaces;
quiet retreat areas or socially active rooms; and
an open view or greater visual cover.

A tree may be well made but still conflict with these preferences. If the tree is fundamentally too small, inaccessible, or unsuitable for the intended behavior, see what makes a good cat tower before spending more time trying to change the cat.

Separate Whole-Tree Avoidance From Scratching-Post Nonuse

Some cats climb or sleep on a tree but ignore its scratching posts. That is a more specific problem than rejecting the whole structure.

Scratching preferences can include the material, angle, stability, location, and amount of usable surface. If scratching is the only missing behavior, follow the dedicated guide to why a cat may not use a scratching post instead of rebuilding the entire cat-tree routine.

Make the Tree Familiar Without Pressure

Give your cat control over the investigation. They should be able to approach, sniff, touch, climb, and leave whenever they choose.

Avoid lifting your cat onto the tree, holding them there, repeatedly returning them after they jump down, or blocking the route away. These actions can make the structure feel less predictable and may create a new negative association.

You can leave a familiar item on a broad, secure platform if it fits safely and does not introduce slipping, chewing, or entrapment hazards. For example, a piece of familiar bedding may make a resting surface feel less novel. Do not use an item that hangs over an edge, covers an access point, or moves beneath the cat’s feet.

Strong perfumes, fragranced cleaners, unfamiliar sprays, and repeated scent additions may make the tree less attractive. Clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and give unfamiliar odors time to dissipate.

If the tree has already fallen, moved unexpectedly, or been associated with a frightening event, restore safety first. Then let the cat decide whether to investigate again. Some cats may resume using it gradually; others may continue to avoid that particular structure.

Use Rewards, Play, or Catnip Only When They Suit the Cat

Positive associations can help, but they are optional tools rather than universal solutions.

Reward Voluntary Interest

If your cat approaches, touches, climbs, scratches, or rests on the tree independently, you can calmly provide something they value. Depending on the cat, that might be:

quiet praise;
gentle attention;
a brief play opportunity;
access to another preferred activity; or
a small suitable food reward.

Food must fit the cat’s normal diet, weight plan, allergies, and any veterinary dietary restrictions. Place it only where the cat can reach it safely. Never use food to draw a hesitant cat into a difficult jump.

A cat that does not value food in that situation may respond better to play or calm social interaction. The reward should follow voluntary behavior, not become a way to pressure the cat onto the tree.

Keep Play Safe

A wand toy can sometimes encourage investigation of a low, stable area. Keep the game slow enough for the cat to assess the route and stop if they appear frustrated, overstimulated, or physically uncomfortable.

Do not swing a toy across hazardous gaps, encourage uncontrolled leaps, or allow strings to wrap around the tree. Put interactive toys away after supervised play.

Treat Catnip as Optional

Catnip does not affect every cat, and cats that respond can become relaxed, playful, excited, or occasionally overstimulated. It should not be treated as a stronger version of persuasion.

If your cat responds comfortably to catnip, a small amount may create a positive association with an accessible part of the tree. Stop if it causes frantic movement, agitation, guarding, or conflict with another cat. The guide to using catnip safely explains individual responses and appropriate precautions in more detail.

Test One Meaningful Change at a Time

Changing the location, bedding, scent, access route, rewards, and nearby furniture simultaneously may produce a result, but you will not know which change mattered.

Choose the most plausible barrier first. For example:

If the tree moves, address safety before anything behavioral.
If the cat cannot reach the second level comfortably, examine access.
If another cat occupies the route, examine social pressure.
If the cat scratches elsewhere, compare scratching surfaces and orientations.
If the cat rests on a nearby shelf, compare platform size, cover, and view.
If the tree is simply unfamiliar, allow quiet voluntary exploration.

Make one safe adjustment and observe the cat’s natural response. Look for small changes such as spending longer near the tree, touching a surface, using one level, scratching briefly, or returning without encouragement.

Do not impose a fixed deadline. Cats differ in their experiences, preferences, health, and willingness to investigate change. If an adjustment increases hesitation, conflict, or stress, reverse it when possible and reconsider the likely cause.

Check for Multi-Cat Blocking

A cat does not need to fight openly to prevent another cat from using a tree. Subtle social pressure may be enough.

Watch for:

staring from the tree or along the approach route;
one cat waiting until the other leaves;
blocking a platform, doorway, or landing point;
chasing after one cat approaches;
swatting from an upper level;
one cat repeatedly occupying the only preferred position; or
a hesitant cat checking the room and turning away.

A single tall tree is not automatically a shared resource simply because every cat can physically reach it. Cats may prefer different heights, surfaces, rooms, or degrees of enclosure. They also need ways to approach and leave without passing too close to another cat.

Do not place both cats on the tree, use treats to draw them into close proximity, or remove their other safe resting places. Provide separated alternatives and allow each cat to choose where to rest, climb, hide, and observe.

If one cat uses the tree only when the other is absent, the problem may be access rather than a dislike of the structure.

When Cat-Tree Nonuse May Be a Mobility or Health Signal

A cat that has never used a particular tree may simply dislike or distrust it. An abrupt change in established behavior deserves more attention.

Contact your veterinarian if your cat suddenly stops using a favored tree or develops signs such as:

reluctance or difficulty when jumping;
repeated hesitation before climbing;
missed or awkward landings;
stiffness after resting;
weakness or altered gait;
reduced activity;
unexpected withdrawal;
sensitivity when touched; or
other signs of discomfort.

Pain, injury, impaired vision, weakness, and age-related mobility changes are among the possible explanations, but behavior alone cannot identify the cause.

Do not encourage extra climbing to test whether the cat is physically capable. Keep necessary resources easy to access and follow veterinary advice about suitable environmental adjustments.

Common Mistakes That Can Make Nonuse Worse

Forcing the Cat Onto the Tree

Lifting or repeatedly placing a cat on the tree does not teach them that it is safe. It removes their control over the interaction and can strengthen avoidance.

Removing Every Alternative

Do not block preferred resting places or remove other safe resources to leave the cat no choice. A cat tree should add useful options rather than reduce them.

Trying Every Attraction at Once

Treats, toys, bedding, catnip, and scent changes used together can overwhelm the investigation and obscure the real problem.

Ignoring Partial Success

A cat does not have to sleep at the highest point for the tree to be useful. Comfortable use of a low platform or scratching section may be the best outcome for that individual.

Assuming Higher Is Always Better

Cats often value elevation, but preferred height depends on the individual, the room, available routes, physical ability, and social environment. The article on why cats like high places explains the benefits of vertical space without suggesting that every cat wants the tallest possible position.

Using Attraction to Overcome a Safety Problem

No reward makes a damaged or unstable structure appropriate. Resolve the hazard before allowing access.

Treating Sudden Avoidance as Stubbornness

When an established behavior changes abruptly, inspect the tree and consider the cat’s health before beginning a behavior plan.

Helpful Related Guides

The most useful next guide depends on what your observations reveal:

Sources

Final Thoughts

Getting your cat to use a cat tree begins with understanding why they are avoiding it. Check safety and accessibility first, then compare the tree with the behaviors and surfaces your cat already chooses. Familiarization, play, rewards, and catnip may help, but only when they are safe, voluntary, and appropriate for the individual cat.

Test one meaningful change at a time and recognize partial use as a valid result. If the tree remains unsuitable, a different resource may serve your cat better. If a previously active cat suddenly stops climbing or jumping, treat that change as a possible health signal and consult your veterinarian.