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It appears that for Reasons, the cats really, really need a cat tree, and as I've never actually gotten a real cat tree for my cats before, I'm looking for some general recommendations/advice. Criteria:
1) The higher the better, as it needs to be high enough that Peejee feels comfortable sitting on top out of reach of the dog. Definitely nothing under three feet; four or higher would be better.
2) George strongly prefers cupboards and small, dark places, but she doesn't jump onto anything higher than a bedside table if she can help it, and she's a big, fat cat. So it would need a box-like section close to the ground, but with enough space (and access hole) for a fairly large (12 pounds, not Maine Coon) cat to get into.
3) My mechanical skills are paltry. I can put together Ikea furniture, and have appropriate tools, but nothing that requires more work than that.
4) Sturdy is good.
5) Scratching bits are necessary.
6) I'd like to not break the bank on this; I realize that may be only so possible with all of the above.
So, any recommendations? Brands to seek out or avoid? After browsing the trees at the local pet store, on their website, and on Amazon, it seems like a bit of a tossup; I can generally get better prices online, but since the fancier trees there often get complaints that they're made for Tiny Cats, I'm reluctant to buy one with only a picture and vague sense of scale to go on.
1) The higher the better, as it needs to be high enough that Peejee feels comfortable sitting on top out of reach of the dog. Definitely nothing under three feet; four or higher would be better.
2) George strongly prefers cupboards and small, dark places, but she doesn't jump onto anything higher than a bedside table if she can help it, and she's a big, fat cat. So it would need a box-like section close to the ground, but with enough space (and access hole) for a fairly large (12 pounds, not Maine Coon) cat to get into.
3) My mechanical skills are paltry. I can put together Ikea furniture, and have appropriate tools, but nothing that requires more work than that.
4) Sturdy is good.
5) Scratching bits are necessary.
6) I'd like to not break the bank on this; I realize that may be only so possible with all of the above.
So, any recommendations? Brands to seek out or avoid? After browsing the trees at the local pet store, on their website, and on Amazon, it seems like a bit of a tossup; I can generally get better prices online, but since the fancier trees there often get complaints that they're made for Tiny Cats, I'm reluctant to buy one with only a picture and vague sense of scale to go on.