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Monica Hall photo
China, Beijing
1 Level
442 Review
0 Karma

Review on Armarkat Tree Model A5801 Beige by Monica Hall

Revainrating 5 out of 5

So far I'm incredibly satisfied

Caveat: I bought this scratching post in an open box from Revain for $41. I'm incredibly pleased so far but I think this is important information for anyone reading this review as you may be considering this scratching post for a higher price than I paid. I live in an average apartment with two active cats under 1 year old. The first scratching post I bought was a basic 3 tier scratching post (Cat Craft Model 12400301GRCOM). After we adopted our second kitten, I realized that a small tree didn't give them enough vertical space to explore. Like most cats, ours love to climb and hang over everything! This model was short enough for our little kitty and seemed sturdy. It's been 24 hours since I assembled this little one, so here are my first thoughts! Advantages: - Easy assembly. All directions fit on a sheet of paper. Took me about 8 minutes. Like it a lot! -Quality frame. When I opened the box I was amazed by what I saw and felt. The platforms are thick chipboard, heavy enough that I couldn't imagine them flexing no matter how fat my cats get. It's not solid wood, but do your cats really mind? - Good connecting parts. All hex head screws were of good size and metal. The sisal tubes are plastic, but the inner threads are also metal, which I liked.- Fluffy rug! Stupid that I like soft upholstery materials? It's so chic! My first scratching post was covered in a thorny material that doesn't hold cat hair very well. The carpeting on this tree is smoother, so I suspect it won't hold as much loose hair. Decide for yourself whether it is a plus or a minus. - Stable basic shape. I like that the base is rectangular instead of square. The whole thing is only about 5 feet tall, but still sturdier than I expected. He barely moves against the wall as my larger cat runs up. Off the wall it wobbles slightly but not so much that my cats are afraid to climb it. My cats still love it! They got used to them straight away and played with each other a bit. At home and upstairs are already popular places to sleep. Cons: - Some spillage right out of the box. Nothing crazy. The upholstery left a few fluffy patches on my carpet during assembly, and there are a few rough upholstery edges under the center tier and at the stitching that could fray. As far as I can tell, the rope claws have not yet crumbled. I will update this review in a month if shedding is still an issue. The platforms are smooth for small kittens or cats with trimmed claws. My 4 month old kitten just got his nails trimmed and has trouble comprehending when he jumps to a higher level. But it will grow and so will its claws! Middle shelf below without padding. You can see an example in my photos. I don't mind, but others may. - Some screws are exposed. See my photos for more examples. Again, that doesn't bother me at all. Overall, I have not regretted this purchase so far, just luck. I wish I had bought it sooner!

Pros
  • Super for me
Cons
  • The list is long.