FAQ, Tips & Care

What types of wood are used in the cat trees/scratchers?

Pine, poplar, and birch are used; however, custom orders can request other types of wood.

Where do the trees for the cat trees come from?

The trees are harvested locally from situations such as trees downed by storms or trees from timber cutting and forest management. Click here to learn more about forest management in the North Quabbin Region.

How do I know which scratcher is right for my cat?

Cats have a variety of preferences when it comes to scratching. In general, things to think about are what types of surfaces does you cat prefer when scratching, and does he or she scratch vertically or horizontally?

Sisal rope is very popular for use on scratching posts because most cats like its texture. It’s strong and resilient, but cats are also able to really dig their nails in. The base on the scratching posts and cat trees is a rough pine. Some cats prefer wood to sisal rope for scratching and the soft nature of the pine makes for a good scratching surface as well.

Why don’t you offer cat trees with carpet?

Mountain Cat Trees came about largely in response to dissatisfaction with carpeted cat towers. There are several reasons why no carpet is a trademark of our products. First, natural materials were selected for the safety of the cats. There are no dangerous carpet fibers or strands for cats to chew on or ingest.

Also, carpet is a synthetic material that is petroleum based. Most commonly, carpet is made of nylon, acrylic, polyester or polypropylene. These materials end up in a landfill and may take hundreds of years to break down.

Another reason for not using carpet is longevity. Most cats like to scratch the same spot again and again. Anyone who has ever lost the corner of their couch to cat scratching knows all about this. On a carpeted cat tree, a cat will go back to the same spot, quickly shredding a particular corner. Once this happens the carpet fibers begin to shed everywhere and soon you are left with an eye-sore and a perpetual mess. Mountain Cat Trees use sisal rope as the main scratching surface. Sisal is a natural plant fiber and when woven into rope is very durable.

Finally, offering your cat a carpeted structure confuses a cat on which surfaces in your home are meant for scratching. Cats that use carpeted cat trees won’t understand if you scold them while they scratch your carpeted floor. To them it’s all the same. Our cat trees however, have surfaces to entice your cat that are not commonly used in any other way in your home.

Do you ship outside the USA?

We currently do not ship outside the lower 48 contiguous United States of America.

Do I need a Paypal account to order?

No. Ordering through Paypal can be done without an account. Simply enter your credit card information on the Paypal checkout screen.

Caring for Your Cat Tree or Scratcher

*Notice* The wood of the 'tree' used in our Cat Trees and Incline Scratcher with Tree now comes with a non toxic and environmentally safe clear coat finish (as of 12/09). The updated care instructions are as follows.

To clean your cat tree or scratcher simply vacuum with your vacuum cleaner hose.

The ‘tree’ of the cat tree can be wiped with a damp cloth to remove any dust.

Avoid exposure to excessive moisture, heat or cold. All products are for indoor use only and should not be positioned next to fireplaces, stoves or radiators. Prolonged exposure to the sun may result in bleaching of the wood color.

Introducing your cat to a cat tree

Some cats that have never had a cat tree don’t know what to make of them at first. Don’t expect your cat to necessarily bound up the cat tree the moment it’s put into place. Most cats take several days or weeks to adjust to new things. Let your cat get used to the new tree for a few days before trying these tips:

Sprinkle cat nip or spray cat nip extract around the base of the tree.
Use toys and cat treats near the tree to help them become comfortable.
If your cat isn’t sure about jumping on the tree at first, place a chair next to the cat tree so they can get a better look.
Never put your cat on the cat tree if they are unsure about it. All interactions need to be positive.

Teaching your cat to use a scratcher

Cover the surfaces you don’t want your cat using with foil or double-sided sticky tape.
Place the scratching post in the area your cat frequents or near objects he/she has been accustom to scratching.
Use toys, catnip or treats to entice your cat to investigate the new structure.
Try mimicking a cat scratching with your fingernails. Do not try to force your cat to scratch.
Always praise your cat for using the scratching post.