Armarkat A7202 72-Inch Cat Tree, Beige

Very easy to assemble!

We have a multiple cat household and have cats of various ages, sizes and agility skills. Our heaviest cat at 17 lbs fit on all levels and while the platforms at the top are not the biggest he fit on them comfortably. Our oldest cat at 18 years old used the stair climber to the next level from the floor and did so with ease.

The tree is sturdy and we don't have any wobbling that would make us hesitate having two 17 pound cats at the top jumping around. It is made with solid wood, not particle board which is great! The felt "fake fur" covering the wood is thin, not like the carpet on most other trees, however, it is soft and easy to clean.

The scratching posts are used the most and hold up very well to every use. You may want to get new hanging toys because the little yarn balls that come with the tree fall apart easily.

The product name plate attached to the front of the tree gives it a classy and expensive look even though the cost was very reasonable.

In our opinion we think everyone with a multiple cat household should have one of these. Oh, assemble it where you want it because it is bigger than you think. The company does a great job packing it so you will be surprized at the small box compared to the final size.

I almost never write reviews but for this product I simply had to, it is that good! I bought a second one after getting the first, I was so impressed. I then bought a 62 inch Armarkat tree to complete the buying spree (more on that below). I now have one tree for each level of my townhouse, for my two newly adopted rescue cats of seven months and one year, respectively. I've had them for two weeks now. My female is a quiet and gentle cat, the male an active, playful rabble-rouser. They both really like them, her mainly the cat condos for sleeping, him the higher perches for racing up and down and playing with his toy mouse. They both use the sisal posts frequently. I am shocked this is not one of the most popular pieces of cat furniture on Amazon, all things considered. And like several other reviewers, I did considerable research, on over 50 cat trees, before settling on this one. Main attributes are as follows:

Sturdiness: Like a rock. the base is 28x24 inches, very generous, and the way the posts are anchored and the higher perches positioned, it allows the entire structure to remain solid, even when an active cat leaps on it. I have not yet had both cats on simultaneously (they are not yet socialized) but do not anticipate a problem at all. I should note here that the 62 inch Armarkat I got last is not quite as sturdy; the smaller 24x20 base makes a difference. And as others have noted in reviews of that product, the top perches wobble a little, but not so much as to discourage the cats. But since I have a point of comparison, it reinforces my positive opinion of this one.

Value: Triple aces! The pricing is extremely low for the number and quality of the 10 sisal posts and the number of perches and condos, as well as the workmanship. I mean, half the price of the popular pet chain store trees, and to me, better quality. Also, the faux fur, while not plush, is certainly comfortable, and to my surprise the whole apparatus looks quite handsome despite its size.

Ease of Assembly: A breeze. The wordless instructions are nonetheless clear, and the lettered pieces and screws virtually idiot-proof, unless, as can happen with the cats around, you are not paying attention! I was very happy with how tightly the sisal posts can screw in, which along with the wide base is what assures the solid structure. I assembled the first in just over 30 minutes, the second, as I knew how to do it, in about 20 minutes.

Usability: This of course trumps everything else. If the cats don't like it, nothing else matters. My somewhat reticent female just sniffed it the first day, but by the second she was using the scratching posts, and by the third she had claimed the top condo as one of her favorite resting places. On both pieces, upstairs and downstairs. My male is fearless and started jumping on it approximately four seconds after I showed him what it was. He was in a cramped foster apartment before I adopted him a week ago, so who knew he had strong acrobatic tendencies? But he does, and he has had more exercise the last three days with these trees than he did the previous month.

Delivery: Fast, before the promised date both times, and while the box is heavy for some (the thing weighs about 50 pounds), it is easy to unpack by the front door and then carry the individual pieces to wherever the tree is going up.

Height and Bulk: These were the two factors that made me hesitate awhile before finally purchasing it. I was afraid it would be too bulky for my upstairs computer room (the first one I bought), and I wasn't sure about going that high. While it is not petite, it has the right proportions for a serious piece of cat furniture if you are interested in ensuring your cats have a comfortable and inviting plaything and resting place for years to come. I think its size and height are inducements for them to claim ownership. They already know it is "theirs" and do not spend (too) much time climbing on shelves and other places they don't belong--so far. I got the 62 inch tree for my family room, where the height and bulk of the 72 inch simply would not have worked. And while I am not quite as pleased with that one as this, mainly due to the slight (emphasize slight) wobbles and also the faux fleece vs. faux fur, that one still works well. But this one deserves superlatives. Interestingly, neither cat has yet mounted the highest perch, though the male keeps eying the ceiling and I think it's just a matter of time (gives him something to think about, anyway!)

The Toys: Based on others' comments, I did not attach. Good thing, too. the female plucked pieces off one ball within seconds when I showed it to her. But a minor point-just research, buy and put up your own highly-rated cat-tree toys.

Caveat about faux fur vs. faux fleece. As I am/was a neophyte cat tree buyer, and all the Armarkat trees I researched... Read more

First off, I have been shopping for one of these things for about 4 years, but I either didn't like what I saw or the price was too steep. Sometimes both. This year I decided that I was absolutely going to buy a kitty condo for my three cats no matter what. I found this one and it had all the features that I was looking for. I still hesitated and shopped around at the local petstore. None of the trees were as big as this one and they didn't have the features I wanted. Plus they were almost twice the price. That settled it. I ordered this kitty condo with the hopes that my cats would think it was just as cool as I did. It was supposed to be their Christmas present after all. I put it together as soon as it showed up (assembly was quite easy I might add) and it was an immediate hit. The male cats love the top perches and the female likes the box to hide in. They also like the dangling yarn balls. The one goes so crazy over them that I'm afraid he might fall off because he forgets where he is. They also use the sisal rope pillars instead of my furniture to sharpen their claws. They haven't grasped the concept of the hammock, but I think it may just be a matter of time. This is probably the best cat toy I ever got them and they can look out the entire height of the large front window. My cats really love this thing.