A cat tree that suits a 4 kg cat isn't always a cat tree for large cats. The PDSA gives the average weight of an ordinary domestic cat as 4 kg, and of a Maine Coon as 7 kg. Put the second on a tree made for the first and the perches may feel small, and a light frame can wobble. Here's what to check before you buy a large cat tree, and the ones in our range that state a weight limit high enough.
How heavy is your cat?
Start with the scales, not the breed. As a guide, these are the average adult weights published in the PDSA breed guides:
| Cat | Average adult weight |
|---|---|
| Ordinary domestic cat (moggy) | 4 kg |
| Persian | 4.6 kg |
| British Shorthair | 5 kg |
| Ragdoll | 5.5 kg |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | 5.5 kg |
| Bengal | 5.5 kg |
| Maine Coon | 7 kg |
These are averages, and males are often heavier. The GCCF, the UK cat registry, says male Maine Coons can weigh up to 18 to 20 lb, which is about 8 to 9 kg. If you share your home with two big cats that like the same perch, add their weights together.
What to look for in a cat tree for heavy cats
A stated weight limit
The first thing to find on a product page is the weight the tree is made for. If the supplier doesn't give one, you're guessing. Choose a tree whose limit is comfortably above your cat's weight, not just level with it.
A heavy, stable base
Cats Protection recommends a scratching post with "a heavy, stable base so it doesn't wobble or topple during use" (Cats Protection advice on scratching). The same goes for a whole tree. Look for a wide footprint, a solid base board and, on taller trees, a fitting that fixes the tree to the wall.
Perches big enough to stretch out on
A large cat needs a perch it can lie on without hanging over the edges. Compare the size of the top platform with your cat lying stretched out, and look for raised edges if it likes to lean.
Posts tall enough to scratch at full stretch
Cats Protection also advises a post "tall enough for your cat to scratch at full stretch". A big cat is long, so a short post at the bottom of a tree may not do the job on its own.
Or go up the wall
Wall-mounted perches and shelves are screwed into the wall, so they can't tip over, and each piece is rated on its own. They're a good option when there's no floor space for a big tree, as long as your wall can take the fixings.
Our cat trees for large cats
Only some of our cat trees state a weight limit of 7 kg or more. These are the ones we'd point you to for a large cat:
- Cat Tree with Baskets, 111 cm: takes cats up to 10 kg. A willow trunk on a round base 60 cm across, two woven baskets 45.5 cm wide and a 52 cm top platform.
- Modern Cat Tree, Pine Wall Set: the whole set takes up to 18.14 kg. Wall pieces in pine with a tunnel house, a cube house, steps and ladders, sold in sets of three, five or seven.
- Wood Cat Tree, Star and Moon Wall Perches: each piece takes up to 11 kg. Solid pine perches, a ladder and a moon bed you fix to the wall one by one.
For our other cat trees, the supplier doesn't state a weight limit, so we don't suggest them for a large cat. Every product page gives the sizes, so you can check before you choose.
A quick checklist
- Weigh your cat, and add the weights of cats that share a perch.
- Choose a weight limit comfortably above that figure.
- Check the footprint and whether the tree can be fixed to the wall.
- Compare the top perch with your cat lying stretched out.
- Consider wall-mounted pieces if floor space is tight.
See all our cat trees, or browse cat trees and scratching posts together.
Sources: average adult weights from the PDSA breed guides (pdsa.org.uk); Maine Coon male weights from the GCCF (gccfcats.org); advice on stable posts from Cats Protection (cats.org.uk). Checked in October 2026.