Armarkat B5301 53-Inch Cat Tree, Ivory

This cat tree is awesome! We got our female cat as a kitten, and had no idea how big she would grow to be (adopted, didn't know anything about her when we got her). She was kind of a runt when she was born, so we figured she'd stay small. My husband said we could get a cat as long as it was female, short haired and stayed fairly small. Well, she ended up being part Maine Coon, and at 2.5 years old, she weighs almost 18 lbs. Long haired and massive. Whoops. At least she's female?The cat tree came quickly with Prime shipping and was so easy to put together. Overall, this cat tree is awesome. There are some minors cons that I'll get into later.Pros:1. Stability - Like I said, she's a big girl, so I was worried about stability. This cat tree is probably the most stable I've come across. It's still a tiny bit wobbly, but not to an even semi-concerning level, and in a corner it's near perfect. If the base had been made 1-2 inches wider, it would be absolutely perfect. The lower single standing ledge box (no clue what the actual term is, on top of a single sisal scratcher) causes the tree to come away from the wall about 1-2 inches on one side. I'll probably have my husband cut a piece of wood to wedge in there so it's even more stable. If she was a smaller cat, I wouldn't have any concerns at all, and your average cat doesn't usually meet or exceed 18 pounds.2. Materials - I love the fleece part instead of the ugly orange-brown, shiny carpet that cat trees are usually made with. It's a light pinkish color, and I think it's actually pretty attractive (for a cat tree). It's cute without being girly. So much better looking than the typical materials used. It doesn't stand out like a sore thumb, which I appreciate.3. Assembly - As I mentioned earlier, it was incredibly easy to assemble. Some large bolts, a washer, an alan wrench and 30 minutes (max) later and you're done. My two daughters (1.5 and 3.5) helped my husband put this together. He put the first ledge on backwards (not the base) so I took it partially apart and fixed it, and it maybe took 10 minutes total from partial disassembly to fixing it to reassembling. He said that originally he had it the correct way, but it looked strange so he switched it. At first it does look a little strange, but follow the picture on amazon. The rope behind it should be hanging straight down, not resting on the shelf. This provides a platform for the cat to use to get into the house on the next level. Sure, some cats will be brave enough to jump all the way up, but for larger cats, this could cause the tree to feel unsteady under their weight/size, and frighten the cat. Then your cat tree is useless, because kitty won't go near it. The platform also provides kittens with a way to climb up the tree easier. So make sure it's the right way, especially if your cat isn't into the tree at first, which is how I noticed the error.4. Use - My cat has had the same small scratch post since we got her when she was roughly 8 weeks old (http://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products-Scratcher-Furniture/dp/B008GG9FSS/ref=sr_1_53?ie=UTF8&qid=1434488930&sr=8-53&keywords=cat+scratch&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011 - just like that, except instead of a sleeper basket it had the additional posts and balls). The base was that shiny carpet material usually used for cat scratches, and it has a half dome of sisal that she loves scratching. It used to have a scratch post and 3 mini scratchers with balls hanging off, but she destroyed that part very quickly. She is obsessed with it, and scratches it intensely every time I go to clean her litter box or feed her. The sisal is finally starting to come undone from the half dome (I’m actually pretty impressed with the quality of that part of the scratcher), so I knew it was time for a new one. I came to Amazon looking for a good deal on a larger scratcher for her, and found this cat tree. The reviews are plentiful and at the time of this review has 4.5 stars. There was also one available on Amazon warehouse with no defects at all, for around $55, so I pounced on it (dad-joke pun intended).My cat loves this tree. Initially she was very unsure of it, even before she got on it. After about 10 minutes she started rubbing her face on the corner. I left her alone and came back 10 minutes later and she had already killed one of the toys on the top, so I knew she had at least tried it out, which was reassuring. Nothing worse than trying to get an unwilling cat to try new things. She was pretty hesitant of it, until I brought it into my bedroom and adjusted the bottom platform. Since she chewed through the string of the toy, I tied some thick hair ties together and strung that through the loop provided. (Shown in picture, I also tied the ball to the bottom for now). She's obsessed with hair ties and plays fetch with them (to an annoying level). That instantly spiked her attention and she wanted at them.Cons:1. The base - As I mentioned above, the base is about 1-2 inches too short on one side. This minor addition wouldn't have cost the company too much, and would have made this cat tree perfect. It already blows the competition out of the water, but the incredible stability would have really set them apart.2. The toys - Good god, the toys. I don't know what they were thinking with those thin little strings. They basically made an amazing, sturdy cat tree, built for withstanding the brute force of multiple felines, and then included these puny toys. Seriously, a newborn kitten could chew though one of these while still blind. I figure the company threw the toys in as extras, but didn't care much what people thought of them, because even without them the cat tree is great. And since there's a built in loop provided, the owner is free to hang their own cat toys from it anyway, which is pretty cool. Most scratchers have the toy stapled to it, so when the cat destroys the string in 1 second, it's worthless, unless you want to put another industrial sized staple in the scratcher (which will, as you know, last 1 second before annihilation).That being said, the balls coaxed my cat up onto the tree, so she must like them. She's pretty desensitized to toys like that, since I have two toddlers and she's around toys all day long. Apparently there's just something about them that she likes. I'm going to find a way to reattach them with something much more sturdy. Thicker hair ties work great, since they can stretch very far without breaking. If you do this, PLEASE MONITOR your cat's play with them. Inspect the hair ties for breakage, and use thicker ones. Don't use child's hair ties, as they break easily after minimal use. If one does break it could pose as a choking or blockage risk if ingested.Despite the few flaws this product has, I’m rating it 5 stars. This cat tree is attractive (for a cat tree), affordable, sturdy and well liked by a cat as large as a Maine Coon, whose only scratcher (which she loved to death) prior to this tree was a smaller, floor scratcher.I’ll update with durability once we've had it for a while, as this is her first day of use.

A very sturdy tree that offers well made sisal posts and soft fleece. It doesn’t take up a lot of floor space. After weeks of heavy use, the sisal isn’t falling apart - posts still look new. Very, very pleased with the excellent quality of the materials!One issue only - the perches are too small for the cats (11 & 14 lbs.). The smaller cat barely fits on the elevated pedestals and he takes up the entire kitty cabin when lying down. The Amazon photos must be showing a very small cat in proportion to the tree.Despite this, the cats love it!

Took a couple days for my cat to investigate and accept the cat tree. It was interesting to watch how her curiosity led her to 'discover' the tree. She likes to lay on the platform with the round ball on a string. The two door box is also a favorite that gives her comfort & safety. Sometimes I'll put the cat onto the platform & we'll play together with that ball,....her paws hanging over the edge knocking it around. Very cute. I find she's also climbing on other things in the house now as she investigates higher areas. To me this is healthy & expands her world a bit,.but we do have boundaries where she it not allowed to climb.OTHER REVIEWS REPORT TOO MUCH MOVEMENT. I found that when being used on Carpeting it creates a bouncy trampoline affect by the cats jumping on /off or just moving around the tree. Works best /more stable on hard wood floors. The tree stand itself when assembled carefully is strong with very little wobble,... especially when placed on hardwood, tile, or other non-carpet flooring. But when I moved it onto some carpeting it was noticeably wobbly due to the soft carpet & spongy carpet pad. The cat was a little reluctant to get back on for a while & had to encourage her a bit. I thought about attaching some round chair /furniture feet to the bottom to stabilize things without reinforcing the weak fiberboard.TIPS FOR ASSEMBLING. I bot the 28x25 size and overall it's a good value. Assembly though is a little tricky to avoid a wobbly result.A hex wrench come bolts for assembly. First I laid out all the parts, which are clearly marked, to make sure everything was there. The parts list is on the one page instruction sheet.I inspected all holes on the platform boards & Initially, it looked like some of the carpet holes were not drilled. But actually they put a small slit that enlarges when the bolt is forced through it. To make assembly easier I used the hex allen wrench the simply pushed it thru the small slit opening it for easier bolt insertion.When tightening up the bolt heads I used a 3 stage approach to avoid over-tightening and possibly breaking the fragile particle type board,...while also preventing UNDER tightening /wobbly results. First stage is hand tightening each bolt into a tube. Next use the hex wrench with the LONG end inserted into the bolt & finger tightened the bolt by twisting the hex wrench finger tight. With the long end inserted it is impossible to over tighten. Then assemble all tubes on the SAME level. When all tubes on a level are stage 2 tight, insert the SHORT end of the hex wrench into each bolt head and tighten about 3/4 turn. Careful not to over tighten with the extra leverage.This approach allows me to see the general assembly for each level,...allows time for the carpet to compress during stage two tightening,...which makes stage there final tightening more accurate, snug & avoids stripping the plastic threads in the tube's plastic base.I assembled the unit carefully adding stages horizontally on the floor,... near to the final place the cat tree was going to be. Directions warn against moving the completed unit as it could easily be damaged. So the final sliding & minimal lifting was done by grasping the base & never any of the upper stages. By assembling horizontally I was able to go back easily to previous levels and make sure the bolts were still snug. NOTE: When I got to the upper two stages I turned the unit upright as it was easier to assemble the top features in an upright position.I ran into a small problem when installing the three tubes in the base. Three tubes, two of equal length and a longer tube are installed in the base. The instruction diagram is a bit unclear but with some extra attention you will see what they intend. SO be sure to get these three in the right position. You will find out later if you've got it wrong & have to redo like I did.TIP on 2nd PROBLEM AREA: A 2nd problem area involves two straight studs threaded on each end (where a hex wrench is not used for assembly). These two studs are a bit short which makes assembly difficult because one tube can only get a few turns onto the stud. To minimize this weakness in the tree, I backed out side of stud so it was not fully seated (gave it a couple unscrew turns with my fingers from being fully seated) which made the other side of the stud longer / more length=more threads available to the other side of the stud for screwing on the opposing tube.Took me about 30 minutes to assemble. It is solid, no wobble, no complaints. This will be a traveling tree, so I'll be disassembling /reassembling from time to time & this tree meets that need nicely.SPECIAL NOTE: One reviewer mentioned potential dangers of a carcinogen chemicals used in this type of type of press board ( see reviewer January 26, 2015 By G. Nelson..."boards in this tree are made of MDF, probably bound with formaldehyde resins and other VOCs.."). I checked into the reviewers concerns by Googling MDF board to get some info. I became concerned the chemical(s) used in MDF board are indeed potentially a health hazard to pets AND humans. So to minimize that, I may paint the open underside board to seal those that side. But the carpet side isn't practical to paint without removing all carpeting. Also, as the tree is used & clawed, particles /dust are dug out of the soft board under the carpet & giving up possible toxic dust particles into the air, onto paws, fur and into lungs if the binder in the board is indeed toxic. (There is no health warning on this product.)HEALTH CONCERNS: So, to tried to minimize potential toxins in the materials of this tree,... I opened the box not in my front room but in a safer place away from our living area,....the garage or back porch. Then carefully vacuumed each piece front /back, carpet & board sides & also the tubes wound with rope. I used a hepa filter vac so as NOT TO BLOW ANY CARCINOGENS into the air /lungs. After vacuuming each piece, to help the chemicals dissipate I spread out the pieces in fresh air for several days,...a week in fresh air would have been better. I carefully washed my hands with soap whenever touching the inside of the box, the un vac'd pieces, & especially after assembly. Made sure not to rub my eye carelessly or lips or anywhere until a good hand washing. I choose not to ignore the potential very real toxic chemicals typical in pressed board.BOTT LINE: This ia a good value as compared what I could buy locally. Careful assembly using the 1-2-3 step tightening approach ensured a snug, stable tree. Unfortunately, the materials used in the construction are possible linked to health hazards & strongly sugg using measures to help make it safer. Generally good engineering features. But because of toxic concerns Earns an overall 3-STARS,.... with serious sugg the manufacturer drop all potentially hazardous materials harmful to pets & humans if there are any, or /and please address reviewer concerns on this issue.Regarding product SAFETY: Armarkat makes the following excerpted statement on the Amazon's product page: "Armarkat branded products are designed by professional pet product designers committed to putting your pets needs and preferences front and foremost while using environmentally friendly materials that are harmless to pet and to the pet owners." Given Armarkat statement the product is harmless & environmentally friendly,...versus a reviewer's experience prompting a toxic review,...review January 26, 2015 By G. Nelson... I wish the Armarkat would step up & further clarify /address user concerns about possible toxicity & safety of this product.

Did some research before I committed buying an Armarkat tower.Got to say I'm was impressed when I built it. Very strong robust heavy build quality. Compared to others I looked at.Also replacement parts can be ordered directly from Armarkat, which was another good selling point. As I can just replace individual part extending the life of the tower. instead of buying a completely new tower.People mention a wobble and where concerned there might be a risk of it failing over. To be honest yes there's a slight wobble but with anything with height it's expected. For it to topple over when cat/cats are playing on it I honestly can't see it happening.As long as you've built the tower tightly it should be fine and take what ever you cat/cats throw at it.Took about 30-45mins to build. Had a minor issue with screw thread being obstructed slightly with glued carpet material which prevented me fitting a screw. But resolved it by threading the screw on opposite side pushing the obstruction outwards enough so I could remove it with scissors. Then re-screw the bolt the correct way.Overall I'm pleased with purchase.

Obe absolutely loves it, strongly built, easy to assemble, happy cat and owners!

We bought it 2 months ago, and the cats are on it every day, they scratch it all over, race up and down the thing, and sleep in the little closed in area as well as on the shelf-like parts (they compete for the top one, sometimes we find them both on it at the same time!)It's sturdy, we put it together quickly, we're SO happy with it.NOTE: our cats weigh 4.5 pounds and 6.5 pounds. They are wee little ladies. So it's probably a good idea to know how much your cat weighs to judge whether or not this cat tree is a good size for them.UPDATE: we've now had it for 1 1/2 years, it's still in great shape and the cats still love it and use it all the time!UPDATE #2: We’ve had it for over 3 years now, the cats are on it every day, the quality is so impressive... I give it 6 stars out of 5 :)

I bought this about a year ago, and i would buy another one if needed!! I have two extremely over weight cats and one regular sized one, and they are always on it. Sometimes it will wobble when the fatter cats jump to the top of it, but if leaned against a wall, it works just fine!! They use every part of this, except I've only seen them play with the rope once. I had one before that I bought them, not armarkat, and they tore big holes in the poles and ripped the ropes right off the tower. This one hasn't been damaged in the least. I would recommend to everyone who has a cat!! Perfect cat tower, I can't compliment it enough! I'm tempted to buy another one lol

I've had this for about a year now, and my cats LOVE IT. I have 4 and they're always scratching it/sleeping on it. The platforms are big enough to fit my cats which are a little larger than average and it was super easy to assemble. Only took me about 45 minutes. It's really sturdy and doesn't wobble at all. definitely recommend this for a cat lover on a budget!UPDATE: It's been 3 years since I purchased this and I'm still so happy with the quality of this item! My 4 cats still use this every day. You'd pay much more for this type of durability at the pet store. It's finally time to replace the rope, but we will DEFINITELY purchase another tree from Armarkat when the need arises.