Cat tree for overweight middle-aged cat

An 8-year-old neutered male who's starting to pile on weight — this is exactly the situation where the right cat tree can make a real difference. The most important things in any cat tree are stability and height. It must not wobble when a cat launches off it, and cats feel most secure when they can get up high. Cheap, wobbly trees get used once and then ignored — especially by a cat who's already a bit more cautious with his weight. So before I point you anywhere, tell me: roughly how heavy is he now, how much space do you have for a tree, and does he currently show any interest in climbing at all?

6.5kg is a solid cat, and the fact that he used to climb is a good sign — that instinct is still in there, it just needs the right invitation. The key for him is a tree with wide, stable platforms and a solid base, so he doesn't feel like he's going to tip the thing when he puts his full weight on a perch. You also want intermediate platforms — not just a bottom and a top — because a cat who's lost some fitness and gained some weight isn't going to leap straight to the highest point. He needs steps he can actually use. Does he have any particular habits you've noticed — does he like to hide and feel enclosed, or does he prefer open perches where he can survey the room?

Perfect — that tells me he wants height for a vantage point, not a cosy den. He'll use open perches far more than enclosed condos, so we want a tree that prioritises those. Given your space and his weight, I'd go with the Feandrea 67-inch cat tree — it's around 170cm tall, fits comfortably in a 60x60cm footprint, and has multiple open platforms at different heights so he can work his way up gradually. The base is wide and well-weighted, and the platforms are large enough for a bigger cat to actually sit comfortably rather than perching awkwardly on something too small. It's also covered in sisal on the posts, which gives him something to scratch — useful because scratching and stretching together help work the muscles. It's consistently well-reviewed for heavier cats and holds up over time, which cheap trees don't. I'd place it near a window if you can — given what you've said about him being nosy, that'll make it immediately appealing rather than something he has to be coaxed onto.

Honestly, placement is probably 80% of it. If it goes near the window where he already likes to sit, you're replacing his current behaviour rather than asking him to adopt a new one — that's a much easier sell. In the first week, you can rub a bit of catnip into the platforms or dangle a toy from one of the higher perches to get him up there initially. Once he's been up and found it stable and comfortable, cats tend to claim a spot and keep using it. The Feandrea is sturdy enough that he won't get one wobbly experience that puts him off for good — that's the thing that kills adoption of cheaper trees.

Good luck with him. Shifting a bit of weight through movement is genuinely better for a cat than just restricting food, so a tree he actually uses is worth the investment. If he takes to the window perch position, you'll likely see him up there every day within a couple of weeks.