The best cat perches for large cats are sturdy, spacious, and have some variety for your big kitty. For instance, different levels to jump to, or even a scratching post.
Some large cat perches can reach 4 or 5 foot tall, so you’ll need to find a big space in your home to put it in.
Cat perches can be a great source of enrichment for cats. Especially when they have plenty of extra interactive features.
We’ve gathered the best picks together in this guide to help you choose.
Does My Cat Need A Perch?
Pet cats need a lot of the same things people do to stay healthy and happy.
For example, your kitty needs to eat a healthy diet, maintain a regular sleep schedule and get regular exercise.
Even more importantly, your pet cat needs a place to unwind and de-stress. A cat perch for large cats can help meet that need.
Researchers call this biological need in cats the drive to find a “place for concealment.”
In other words, if you’ve ever wondered why your feline’s favorite household hangouts gravitate towards hiding under your bed or on top of your fridge.
This is because these places are the most naturally calming and peaceful for your cat!
Controlling Stress
Without a place to retreat to where she can relax and enjoy some privacy, your cat is likely to remain in a perpetually stressed-out state. Which can cause her to get depressed, anxious and ill.
This is the last thing you want for your precious fur baby!
So how can you make sure your cat has everything she needs to feel completely safe and at ease living with you?
One great idea is to get a tall cat perch that allows your cat to play, exercise and also hide and retreat whenever she feels the need.
Sizing Your Cat Perch
Perches for large cats must be big enough to hold their adult weight, and let them lie down comfortably.
If this is your first time owning a pet cat, or if you are caring for a kitten, you might be wondering how large your cat will be when he is fully grown.
Your cat’s adult measurements can be determined by a number of factors:
- His parents’ breed and body size.
- The diet you feed him.
- How much exercise he gets.
- His state of health.
For example, a fully grown Siamese cat may be very slight and weigh in at just five pounds and still be perfectly healthy.
On the other hand, a fully grown Maine Coon cat, which is the largest breed of domestic cat, may weigh in at 25 pounds and still be considered healthy.
In fact, just like people, each cat’s ideal body weight can differ even within a litter based on that cat’s bone structure, DNA, diet, exercise and birth position.
Speak to Your Vet
For this reason, it is best to consult with your veterinarian to determine what your pet cat’s optimal adult weight range should be.
Your vet can also determine where your cat currently falls within (or outside) that range and how best to address any necessary weight adjustments.
Most adult cats will weigh between 7 and 9 pounds.
In this article, however, we are going to explore the best cat perches for large cats who are 10 pounds and over.
Best Cat Perch Features
Each of the perches for large cats you will read about here offer different features to appeal to cats’ daily habits.
One study of 304 cat owners asked what the owners thought their indoor cats did all day for fun. Owners named 18 categories of indoor activities!
Clearly, indoor cats are eager to stay active, play, explore, observe and engage well beyond the traditional viewpoint of the indoor cat that sits in the window all day snoozing in the sun.
However, your pet cat relies on you to provide what feline veterinarians call “environmental enrichment.”
Research today shows that, with greater enrichment options that most closely match normal patterns of feline behavior, pet cats are likely to exhibit fewer health or behavioral issues.
Features to Look For
When you are picking out the best cat perch for large cats, it is important to specifically look for these key features:
- Best Cat Trees With Hammocks
- Our Favorite Cat Toys – Great For Large, Lively Cats!
- Nice wide, flat ledges that allow your large cat to stretch out comfortably.
- U-shaped perches that permit your cat to feel the perch underneath and at his back.
- Hiding boxes or “caves” where your cat can retreat from sight fully.
- A very sturdy and secure cat perch that does not wobble, which can make your cat feel uneasy and stressed (look for a very wide, stable base that is secure enough to permit your cat to leap up and down without it wobbling).
- Built-in scratching post(s) or toys.
Make sure the cat perch is weight rated for your cat’s weight and size.
Best Cat Perches for Large Cats
Here are our top picks for the best cat perches for large cats as well as the best large cat window perch options.
Go Pet Club Cat Tree
Check out the Go Pet Club Cat Tree*.
This tall cat perch stands nearly 4 feet high!
The brown and sisal colors make it an attractive choice for any room.
Buy your Go Pet Club Cat Tree on Amazon here.
Vidagoods Big Fat Cat Tree
Another great cat perch for large cats is the Vidagoods 71″ Big Fat Cat Tree*.
This full-featured, nearly 6-foot tall cat perch is specifically built for the needs of more robust cats.
It will easily accommodate cats 18 pounds or more and is very sturdy and spacious.
K & H Kitty Sill
Do you like the look of the K&H Manufacturing Kitty Sill*?
You can’t go wrong with the simple, elegant and comfy kitty window perch. It is built to accommodate even “big and tall” cats and is rated for up to 40 pounds.
The cushion itself is orthopedic so senior cats can also enjoy it comfortably.
It comes in two colors: zebra and faux fleece (a soft ivory color).
Furhaven Scratch and Lounge
How about the Furhaven Scratch and Lounge*.
This 4.5 star-rated cat lounging tree comes in five attractive colors (beige, blue, brown, green and grey) with several lounging perches for multiple kitties.
With two U-shaped perches and one top flat perch, it can comfortably seat cats of 24+ pounds.
Sisal Big Cat Scratching Post
Next we have the Sisal Cat Scratching Post for Big Cats Cat Scratcher and Bed*.
This super-simple and comfy sisal scratching post and bed is specifically built to accommodate big cats.
It has a wide, sturdy base and comes in five colors (beige, blue, brown, green and grey).
Omorfi Pet Window Mounted Cat Perch
Omorfi Pet Supplies make this great Window Mounted Cat Perch*.
The manufacturer states that this new window cat perch is rated to hold cats up to 40 pounds.
This window perch is made of all eco-friendly materials and requires no tools for installation.
Best of all, the manufacturer offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee.
Vesper Cat Furniture
Next is the Vesper Cat Furniture* V-High Base.
A modern and elegant minimalistic cat tree is rated 4.5 stars. It offers a sleek design of sisal with walnut that would complement any room.
There are three flat cat perches for large cats and one cube perch as well as several sisal scratching posts and a built-in cat toy. It stands nearly 5 feet high.
Cat Perches For Large Cats
We hope you enjoyed this list of 10 of the best cat perches for large cats and window perches on the market today.
If you have a rescue cat or a still-growing kitten who has never seen a cat tree before now, don’t worry if she seems a bit shy to approach it.
Including the new big cat perch during your “together time” is a great way to help her warm up to it.
Adding a favorite blanket or toy, offering a treat reward if she steps onto it or covering the perch with something that smells like you can also give her more confidence.
Or she may just surprise you and jump right on up! Ultimately, here’s hoping one of these wonderful tall cat perch options is the perfect fit for your feline’s needs!
Not Found What You Are Looking For?
If these cat perches for large cats haven’t been quite your thing, check out our favorite cat toy guides, with lots more product ideas and reviews for you to browse through!
Resources
- Carlstead, K. et al, 1993 “Behavioral and physiological correlates of stress in laboratory cats,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science,
- Sashin, D., “A Healthy Weight for Your Cat,” WebMD: Pets, 2017.
- Shyan-Norwalt, M.R., “Caregiver Perceptions of What Indoor Cats Do “For Fun,” Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2010.
- Ellis, S., “Environmental Enrichment: Practical Strategies for Improving Feline Welfare,” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2009.
- Becker, M., “How Can I Teach My Cat to Love Her Cat Tree?,” Vet Street, 2012.
I was looking for a single pole 2m perch with top shelf. My cat has shelves at ascending height round the Wall, but will benefit from a higher one to spy through the window from a favourite angle. I live in a tiny sheltered housing bungalow and can make space in one corner. She is currently eying the 2m bookcases which have no space on top. Suggestions?
I don’t recommend the Go Pet Club Cat Tree for large cats. I have two cats who each weigh 16 lbs. The screws that connect the Go Pet Club Tree are very short and don’t keep the poles stable enough to withstand a heavy cat jumping on/off the tree. After about 5 months, the plastic inside the poles started to bend and warp. They started wobbling on the screw and eventually the top two poles broke off when my cat was mid-jump, which could have injured him.
I agree. You really need something that has a much bigger diamter scratching post to ensure it stays upright and strong. That looks very flimsy!
I had a hard time picking one of these things out and spent a lot of time reading reviews. Stores want $100 or more for a one of these that have been sitting on the floor where they collect dust and people come by touching them. There were ones too small for people’s cats, ones that weren’t sturdy enough, or someone was just not happy about something. I settled on this one and I do not regret a single thing. Easily put together in 15 minutes (ladder was a little annoying but once I figured it out went on in a snap). It’s very soft and tall enough to reach my apartment windows. My cats don’t get to enjoy looking out them as the screen is flimsy, live on the third floor, and the ledge is to skinny for them to sit comfortably and enjoy the outside. This thing allows them to lounge and enjoy the outside comfortably with plenty of room. Very happy about this purchase. I have two cats that weight over 15 lbs. Plenty of room for them both!
Looking to REPLACE my single level 3-post cat perch/scratcher. It’s 25 inches tall, and 16 inches round wide at base and top flat round seat. The three posts are WOOD, CARPET and SISAL. The sisal post wrapping has been trashed. My big cat has loved this ‘thing’ for several years. I think it was Cat Condos, or New Cat Condos brand. I cannot find a match.
Thank you so much for information because it’s really very good idear and will cofortable for our cats especially at night to sleep better.
My two boys Doogle and Roger love a good cat tree that is large and sturdy even though they are normal size cats. Seeing them having fun and enjoying their cat tree is priceless and they certainly know their way around it. I’m a fan of the Go Pet Club range. Great review!