Quick answer: Adjust DIY cat furniture to the cat, not the plan. Kittens need low first platforms and no gaps they can get stuck in. Seniors and arthritic cats need steps of 25 to 30 cm, ramps and soft landings. Large breeds such as Maine Coons need platforms of at least 50 x 40 cm, thicker posts and a heavier, wider base.
Most DIY plans assume an average adult cat of about 4 to 5 kg in good health. Many cats are not average. A 12-week-old kitten, a 16-year-old cat with stiff hips and a 9 kg Maine Coon all need different things from the same scratcher or tower.
This guide covers the changes that matter most. For full builds, see our DIY cat tree hub and our DIY scratcher hub.
A Quick Reference Table
| Cat | Step height | Platform size | Post | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitten, under 6 months | 20 to 30 cm | 35 x 30 cm | 7 to 9 cm | Standard |
| Healthy adult | 35 to 45 cm | 40 x 35 cm | 9 cm | Standard |
| Senior or arthritic | 25 to 30 cm, or ramps | 45 x 40 cm with a lip | 9 cm | Wide, low |
| Large breed, 7 kg or more | 35 to 45 cm | 50 x 40 cm or larger | 11 to 12 cm | Wider and heavier |
Treat these as starting points and watch how your own cat moves.
Kittens: Low, Sturdy and Gap-Free
Kittens climb eagerly but fall often, and their judgement of height is still developing. Keep the first platform at 20 to 30 cm and the top of a kitten tower at no more than about 90 cm. Close any gap between a platform and a post or wall that is wider than about 2 cm but smaller than the kitten's body, since small heads and legs can get stuck.
Avoid hanging toys on long strings or elastic, which can wrap around a kitten's neck or be swallowed. Our guide to stopping kittens scratching furniture covers training at this age.
Kittens: Surfaces and Growth
A kitten's claws are small and sharp, so tightly wound sisal and fine carpet both work. Choose a post tall enough for an adult stretch, about 75 cm, even if the kitten is small now; it will grow into it within months. Add a horizontal cardboard pad at floor level, which young cats often use first.
Our zero-waste toys for kittens has safe play ideas to pair with a first scratcher.
Seniors: Smaller Steps and Ramps
Older cats often lose muscle and joint flexibility long before they show obvious limping. They may stop jumping onto high places, or take a longer pause before jumping. Cut step heights to 25 to 30 cm, or replace steps with a ramp angled at no more than about 30 degrees and covered in carpet for grip.
Our senior-friendly cat tree with low ramps gives a full build.
Seniors: Soft Landings and Edges
Make platforms a little larger, about 45 x 40 cm, and add a raised lip of 3 to 4 cm around resting platforms so a sleeping cat does not slide off. Cover landing spots in thick carpet or felt. Put the most-used resting spot low, at 30 to 50 cm, rather than at the top.
Our senior cat care guide covers wider health and comfort needs.
Arthritis: Signs and Adjustments
Signs of arthritis in cats include reluctance to jump, using lower routes, stiffness after rest, and a scruffy coat over the back where grooming has become hard. If you notice these, speak to a vet, and adapt the furniture at the same time. Ramps, wider steps, a heated or well-padded bed at floor level and a horizontal scratcher all help.
VCA on arthritis in cats explains the signs and treatment options.
Large Breeds: Wider Platforms
A Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat or Ragdoll can weigh 7 to 10 kg and stretch to more than a metre. Platforms of 40 x 35 cm are too small for them to lie down comfortably. Use at least 50 x 40 cm, and make beds and hammocks at least 55 cm across.
Our large scratcher for Maine Coon cats shows a build sized for big cats.
Large Breeds: Thicker Posts and Heavier Bases
A heavy cat landing on a tall tower puts much more sideways force on it. Use posts of 11 to 12 cm instead of 9 cm, and fix each with two long screws plus steel brackets. Widen the base to at least half the tower height, so a 140 cm tower needs a base of about 70 cm, and strap it to a wall stud.
Our anchoring checklist explains how to fix a strap correctly.
Large Breeds: Scratching Height
A large cat at full stretch can reach 90 cm or more. A standard 75 cm post is too short; it may be ignored in favour of a door frame or the sofa back. Make vertical scratchers at least 90 cm tall, with a base heavy enough that the post does not tip when the cat pulls hard.
Three-Legged Cats
Cats adapt well to losing a leg, but jumping and landing put extra load on the remaining limbs. Keep platforms low and close together, about 25 cm apart, and add ramps. Wide, flat platforms with good grip are safer than narrow perches. Horizontal scratchers suit them well, since they do not need to balance on two legs.
Cats With Limited Sight
Blind or partly sighted cats rely on memory and touch. Keep their furniture in the same place, avoid moving it, and use different textures to mark levels, such as sisal on posts, carpet on platforms and felt on beds. Low furniture with gentle steps is safer than tall towers.
International Cat Care on cat-friendly homes includes advice on keeping the environment predictable.
Overweight Cats
Cats carrying extra weight often stop climbing, which reduces exercise further. Furniture with low, easy steps can encourage more movement. Pair it with play and feeding changes agreed with your vet. International Cat Care on obesity explains the health risks.
Changing Furniture You Already Own
You do not always need a new build. An existing tower can often be adapted in an afternoon. Add an intermediate step halfway between the floor and the first platform, using an offcut of 18 mm plywood on a short post or bracket. Screw a strip of timber along the edge of a resting platform to make a lip. Wrap a thicker post around a thin one with a carpet tube to make a better grip for a large cat.
If the top of the tower is no longer used, remove it rather than leaving a heavy platform up high, which makes the tower less stable. Our guide to fixing a wobbly cat tree covers bracing an older build.
Two Cats of Different Ages
A household with a young cat and an old cat needs both routes. Keep the high, fast route for the younger cat and add a low, gentle route for the older one, ideally to a separate resting spot so they do not compete. A senior cat should never have to climb past a playful youngster to reach its favourite bed.
Checking That the Changes Work
After making changes, watch the cat for a week. Does it use the new steps? Does it rest on the lipped platform? Is it scratching the taller post? If not, adjust again. Cats often show clearly which spots feel safe by where they choose to sleep.
Age, Breed and Health Questions
What step height is best for a senior cat?
About 25 to 30 cm between levels, or a ramp angled at no more than about 30 degrees with carpet for grip. Put the most-used resting spot low, at 30 to 50 cm, and add a raised lip of 3 to 4 cm around resting platforms.
How big should cat tree platforms be for a Maine Coon?
At least 50 x 40 cm, and beds or hammocks at least 55 cm across. Large breeds can weigh 7 to 10 kg, so also use thicker posts of 11 to 12 cm, a wider base and a wall strap for any tall tower.
Is a tall cat tree safe for a kitten?
Keep a kitten tower to about 90 cm, with the first platform at 20 to 30 cm. Close gaps that could trap a head or leg, and avoid toys on long strings or elastic. A tall post for scratching is fine, as long as the base is stable.
How can I adapt cat furniture for an arthritic cat?
Lower the step heights to 25 to 30 cm, add ramps, enlarge platforms and add a raised lip on resting spots. Provide a padded bed and a horizontal scratcher at floor level. Speak to a vet as well, since arthritis can be treated.
How tall should a scratching post be for a large cat?
At least 90 cm, since a large cat at full stretch can reach that height or more. A standard 75 cm post may be ignored. The base must be heavy enough that the post does not tip when the cat pulls hard.
