How to Encourage Your Cat to Explore a Cat Tower

Place the tower where your cat already likes to spend time, such as near a favorite resting spot or a window, while keeping it away from noisy appliances and busy walkways. Set it on a level surface, make sure it does not wobble, and leave enough space for your cat to approach and step onto the lowest level without feeling cornered.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating start with a comfortable location.

Let your cat investigate the tower at their own pace, then place a familiar blanket or a few treats on a low perch to make that first visit inviting. You can also use a wand toy to guide play toward the base and upward in small stages, rewarding each voluntary step rather than picking your cat up and putting them on the tower.

A confident climber may explore the higher perches quickly, while a cautious cat may need several short, positive encounters before climbing at all. If your cat is older, has limited mobility, or hesitates at the first jump, prioritize an easy route onto the tower and avoid asking them to leap farther than they comfortably can.

Try a brief play session near the tower each day, and occasionally offer a treat there so your cat can associate the space with something enjoyable. Our 68-Inch Multi-Level Cat Tree Tower for Large Cats with Scratching Posts & Plush Perches offers several places to explore, but your cat may choose one favorite perch or use the scratching posts before they show interest in climbing higher.