How to Recover a Cat Tower Safely

To recover a cat tower, first identify what actually needs replacing: worn fabric on a platform, loose carpet on a perch, or frayed rope around a scratching post. If the tower wobbles, a board is cracked, or a post connection is damaged, address that structural problem before adding a new covering, since fresh material will not make an unstable tower safe for your cat.

For lounging areas, choose a durable, easy-to-clean fabric or carpet remnant that you can pull snugly around the platform without leaving bulky folds. For scratching posts, sisal rope is a more appropriate replacement than soft upholstery fabric because it provides a surface your cat can dig their claws into; match the rope’s approximate thickness to the post’s existing wrap so it sits neatly.

Take photos as you disassemble removable pieces, then pull out old staples or fasteners, cut away worn coverings, and clean off loose fibers and adhesive. Work with the tower away from your cat, and feel across every exposed edge before recovering it so you can find sharp staples, splinters, or damaged hardware that need attention.

Cut each piece with enough extra material to wrap underneath the platform, pull it taut, and fasten it on a surface your cat cannot reach during normal use. When rewrapping a post, anchor the rope at the bottom, wind each turn tightly against the last, and secure the end without leaving a protruding staple, loose loop, or accessible glue.

After recovering the tower, tighten its connections, press on each perch, and gently test for rocking before inviting your cat back onto it. Our 68-Inch Multi-Level Cat Tree Tower for Large Cats with Scratching Posts & Plush Perches combines lounging and scratching surfaces, so our team recommends inspecting those areas separately during routine care and repairing loose material before your cat can pull it free.