The Smartcat Multi-Level Cat Climber promises a space-saving solution for cat owners seeking vertical enrichment for their feline friends. Its sleek, modern design is visually appealing and initially seems like a clever way to maximize limited space. However, our review reveals a significant disconnect between the product's attractive aesthetic and its functionality, raising serious concerns about safety and practicality. While assembly presented its own challenges, the true issues lie in the climber's structural integrity.Despite its promising appearance, the Smartcat climber suffers from considerable instability. Even lightweight cats caused the entire unit to shake excessively, making it unsettling and unsafe for feline use. This instability, compounded by inadequate spacing between shelves, resulted in awkward maneuvering and near-miss falls for our test cats. Ultimately, despite its space-saving potential, the significant design flaws and instability rendered the Smartcat Multi-Level Cat Climber impractical and unsafe for its intended purpose.
Pros And Cons
- Space-saving
- Gives cats access to higher levels
- Looks great once assembled and hung
- Tricky to assemble
- Shakes when a cat is on it, making cats feel unsafe
- Shelves overlap too much, leaving insufficient room for cats to comfortably climb down
- Gap between climber and door causes shaking, even on different doors
- Unstable even on doors with metal top and bottom or flush
- Cats did not use the climber after many months
Read more: 5 Best Double-Sided Cat Brushes: Top Picks Reviewed
Assembly and Initial Impressions
The Smartcat Multi-level Cat Climber arrived as a somewhat challenging assembly project. Balancing the pieces between shelves while attaching the next was tricky, requiring the use of improvised supports like paint cans and books. However, once assembled and hung on the door, the climber looked quite appealing and certainly space-saving.
The overall aesthetic is pleasing; it’s a clever way to utilize vertical space. The color scheme and design are modern and could easily complement most home decors. Initial thoughts were positive, focusing on its space-saving potential.
Stability Concerns and Cat Reactions
Unfortunately, the climber’s stability proved to be a major drawback. Whenever a cat moved on a shelf, the entire unit shook significantly, making the cats feel insecure and reluctant to use it.
This instability was a recurring problem, even with smaller cats. The shaking motion seemed to unsettle them, making them hesitant and fearful of using the higher levels.
Shelf Spacing and Design Flaws
Another significant issue was the insufficient space between the shelves. The overlapping design didn't allow cats enough room to comfortably move between levels, particularly when climbing down.
This lack of space forced cats into awkward positions, sometimes resembling a near-fall as they struggled to find a stable footing. This design flaw compromises the safety and usability of the product.
Door Fit and Overall Instability
Despite the instructions claiming suitability for standard doors, a gap existed between the climber and the door, further exacerbating the shaking issue.
This gap was observed across various doors tested. Even with doors having metal framing or a flush surface, the instability persisted, making it unsafe for feline use. The problem isn't restricted to specific types of doors.
The whole unit’s instability was demonstrated by the shaking, even with a light cat moving around on the shelves. The product lacks the necessary structural integrity for its intended purpose.
Final Verdict
After several months of trying to get our cats to use the Smartcat cat climber, we ultimately failed. The unit's instability and design flaws rendered it impractical for its intended purpose.
While the concept of a space-saving cat climber is excellent, the execution in this product is severely lacking. We repurposed the shelves as steps, highlighting the potential value of the individual components, but the overall product is a disappointment.
Due to the significant stability issues and insufficient shelf spacing, we give this product a one-star rating. While the idea is great, the poor execution makes it impractical and unsafe for cats.