Cat trees for cats with hip stiffness

A vet recommending elevated resting spots for a cat with hip stiffness is good advice — being able to get up off the floor reduces joint pressure and helps cats feel secure. But the usual cat tree advice needs adjusting here: what matters most isn't height, it's how easily your Himalayan can get up there without stressing those hips. Before I point you anywhere specific, tell me — how stiff are we talking? Is she still jumping onto sofas unaided, or is she already avoiding anything that needs a leap?

That hesitation before jumping is exactly the thing to design around now, before it gets worse. She's telling you she wants to get up but the single leap is becoming uncomfortable. A cat tree with closely spaced, low platforms — so she can step up in stages rather than jump — will suit her well. How much floor space do you have for it, and does she currently have a favourite resting height? Sofa level, or does she like to go higher?

Good — that floor space is enough, and sofa-to-slightly-above is a realistic and sensible target for her. You don't need a towering tree; you need something stable, with a small footprint, and with platforms at stepping-stone intervals she can use without committing to a full jump. I'd go with the Feandrea 98cm cat tree — the compact base model, not the taller versions. It sits within your floor space, has platforms at around 30cm and 60cm that she can step between, and the overall structure is solid rather than wobbly. The platforms have raised edges which Himalayans tend to like for resting. It's also covered in sisal and plush, which gives good grip — important when a cat's hindquarters aren't as reliable as they used to be.

For early-stage stiffness, the stepped platforms on that tree should be enough for now. But it's worth having a low pet step or small sturdy stool nearby — not attached, just placed close — so she has an optional intermediate step if she wants it. SONGMICS and Pawhut both make simple foam-covered pet steps for a few pounds that would work. Don't clutter the route with too many options though; cats often just stop using a spot if the approach feels awkward. Keep it simple, and watch which route she naturally chooses — she'll tell you if she needs more help.

Good choice for her situation. One last thing worth knowing: place it somewhere she already likes to be, not somewhere convenient for you. If her favourite corner is near the radiator or by a window, put it there. A cat with any joint discomfort is even less likely to trek across the room to use something new. Get the location right and she'll take to it quickly.