Saturday, May 14, 2011

Review: PETCO Premium Cat Tree


I had been interested in purchasing some kind of cat furniture for almost a year, when I decided to take the plunge and purchase one.  Usually if you want a cat tree that is good quality and not teeny-tiny you have to plan on shelling out a few hundred dollars.  Although I was prepared to do that, I still wanted to see if I could find something that was a good size, and not a small fortune in cost.  While browsing the PETCO website I stumbled across the "Premium Cat Tree".  

Measurements: 27" L X 22" W X 57" H
Color: Off-White
Price: $99.99.  (As of 5/14/2011 it is on sale for $84.99, and has free shipping.  When I purchased this about a month ago it was on sale for $79.99 and also had free shipping) 


It took about 3-4 business days for this item to arrive at my house, and it was packaged well.  You have to put this together yourself, which I was a bit nervous about since I am not exactly "Bob the Builder", but I gave it a go.  It comes with instructions, that are pretty easy to follow, but there were a few times that I got confused.  Luckily if you do make a mistake putting it together it's very easy to take apart and start again.  All of the tools you need to assemble this cat tree are provided so you do not need to run to the store to purchase a tool kit just to put a kitty tree together. 

(Pictured above in my cat tree fully assembled)

My cat absolutely loves this cat tree.  Almost everyday that I come home from work she is asleep either in the hideaway, or on one of the pedestals.  This cat tree comes with hanging feathers on strings that my, and well as my sisters cat absolutely go nuts over playing with.  There is also a hanging rope toy which neither cat seems very interested in.  The posts of the cat tree are made out of the same rope material as the hanging rope.  Because of the material that the posts are made out of it makes for a perfect scratching post, which my cat absolutely loves using. 

Although I love this cat tree there are a few things about it I dislike.  Over the bolts that are provided with the cat tree they give you plastic caps that cover them.  Most of these have remained over the caps, but a few no matter what I do just do not stay on. 
(pictured above is an exposed bolt where the cover will not stay on)

Besides the bolt caps not staying on this tree is very wobbly towards the top.  I have screwed in the screws/bolts as much as they possibly will go, but any place above the first level of the tree is quite shaky and on the very top pedestal its extremely wobbly.  My cat refuses to go up onto the highest level because of this.  The only other thing that I dislike about this cat tree are that the platforms on the pedestals are a little smaller than I would like.  For my cat they work and shes able to take a nap on them comfortably, but if you have a large cat I do not see them being able to do anything besides sit on them.

Pros: 

1. Great price. 
2. Nice size.  It's not too small, or too large.
3. Great quality for what it costs.
4. Oddly enough I like the color.  It's listed as an off-white on the website, but I would stay its more of a cream to very light tan.  It's not as stark as pure white, and its not a bright color that screams "hey look theres a cat tree in my house".
5. Easy to assemble, and comes with tools to put together.
6. The posts of the cat tree at made out of the same material as a scratching post, so your kitty will dig his/her claws into it instead of your furniture.

Cons:

1. The cap covers that go over the bolts easily come off.  This could be a choking hazard to some cats.
2. Its very shaky towards the top and causes my cat to not want to go up to the top level.
3. The instructions just show photos of what to do and do not provide words of what actually needs to be done.



Would I recommend it?

Yes!  For the price its amazing and my kitty loves it.

No comments:

Post a Comment