This looks very similar to another very popular design, but don't be fooled. This is the knock-off version of the generic design, 10% smaller in all dimensions, with soft sides, lower quality materials, and a much higher likelihood of coming apart with your cats inside of it.
Stay away.
The kind with particle board boxes frequently pops up for $5 to $10 more than this, and will last longer, and be far less hazardous.
This looks very similar to another very popular design, but don't be fooled. This is the knock-off version of the generic design, 10% smaller in all dimensions, with soft sides, lower quality materials, and a much higher likelihood of coming apart with your cats inside of it.
Stay away.
The kind with particle board boxes frequently pops up for $5 to $10 more than this, and will last longer, and be far less hazardous.
I agree. Also, the perches are flat, without a ledge around the perimeter, like the Armakat has. This gives the cat a little something to lean against when on the perch, making it more comfortable and safer. This looks like an Armakat knockoff.
The local cat café has this one, the kittens and smaller cats love it but I wouldn't get it if you have a large breed or chunky cat. If you have a larger cat, I would wait for Chewy's Frisco brand trees to go on sale. I have two of them and they are very well made.
EDIT: Just realized this is the Frisco[chewy.com] 72-in I am reviewing here not the one OP listed, sorry thought it was the same one. Deal I am mentioning here.
Got this that time it went on sale for like 13$. I appreciate Chewy at the time for honoring those who got that sale price because it was a real cheesy move with coupons that brought it down from something like 40$ to 13$. Thought they would cancel orders, but they didn't.
Anyways, my two cats enjoyed it and overall it's worked good over the year or so I've had it. It wobbles a noticeable amount when the cats jump up and down it. Both can use it at the same time, no worries of it falling over or anything. My chonker cat isn't too fond of using it I think cause he wobbles it a bit more, but he still does use it fairly often. Not as much as my more nimble cat, she always goes up and down it all day fine. They both had amazing fun though the first weeks I put it up for them!
Definitely can tell the quality vs. an Armakat tower when you are putting it together. Speaking of, it's not that hard too put together either. Once built, you'll feel the wobbliness compared to better quality brands. Overall build quality is good though.
The fabric threads can also be pulled up by my cats, so don't expect the fabric lining to last long if you have a messy scratcher cat who doesn't use the twine posts like mine does sometimes. I have to cut the long threads every once in a while when she starts playing with the fabric. Never had this issue with the Armakat tower we've had. Over the year I've had the Frisco, the fabric has stayed mostly on, thankfully the cats do not rip at it much.
Would I get it again at 13$? Heck Yes. Would I at 49$? No, I'd honestly put/save my money towards better, sorry don't know the good brands besides Armakat. Something that doesn't wobble nearly as much so the cats feel more comfortable on it. For a budget though it will work.
EDIT: Just realized this is the Frisco[chewy.com] 72-in I am reviewing here not the one OP listed, sorry thought it was the same one.
Got this that time it went on sale for like 13$. I appreciate Chewy at the time for honoring those who got that sale price because it was a real cheesy move with coupons that brought it down from something like 40$ to 13$. Thought they would cancel orders, but they didn't.
Anyways, my two cats enjoyed it and overall it works okay over the year or so I've had it. It wobbles a noticeable amount when the cats jump up and down it. Both can use it at the same time, no worries of it falling over or anything. My chonker cat isn't too fond of using it I think cause he wobbles it a bit more, but he still does use it fairly often. Not as much as my more nimble cat, she always goes up and down it all day fine.
Definitely can tell the quality vs. an Armakat tower when you are putting it together. Speaking of, it's not that hard too put together either. Once built, you'll feel the wobbliness compared to better quality brands.
The fabric threads can also be pulled up by my cats, so don't expect the fabric lining to last long if you have a messy scratcher cat who doesn't use the twine posts like mine does sometimes. I have to cut the long threads every once in a while when she starts playing with the fabric. Never had this issue with the Armakat tower we've had. Over the year I've had the Frisco, the fabric has stayed mostly on, thankfully the cats do not rip at it much.
Would I get it again at 13$? Heck Yes. Would I at 49$? No, I'd honestly put/save my money towards better, sorry don't know the good brands besides Armakat. Something that doesn't wobble nearly as much so the cats feel more comfortable on it.
I just set up mine from that $13 deal. Great review; it is totally worth the $13 especially shipped but like you said there's no comparison to Armakat.
Yeah, I'm actually looking at options to replace the 73" Armakat I got seven years ago. I paid less than $70 and it's only now starting to fall apart, with two bigger and very rough cats. Of course, the cheapest I'm seeing the same model for now is $150...
Spend the extra $40 and get something that your cats won't tear to shreds within 6 months like this one.
Even with the same brand, you can do much better for less than $10 more, if you're not picky about color. Consider, for example, https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008SM4GUW/ at $56 after coupon...
Armarkat is a great brand. Solid built. Frisco with Chewy is ok for the price though.
this doesn't look like the top perches have sides on them (box type) and my cats could have easily fell off.
Even with the same brand, you can do much better for less than $10 more, if you're not picky about color. Consider, for example, https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008SM4GUW/ at $56 after coupon...
I bought the $56 one on Amazon vs this one. Hopefully, that was the right move?
I bought the $56 one on Amazon vs this one. Hopefully, that was the right move?
I can't tell you for sure. The $56 one is taller, has much larger perches at the top (with sides, very important), and is made of better materials than this one, plus the non-fake reviews are overwhelmingly positive and include at least a few positive updates after more than two years. On the other hand, I can tell you from firsthand experience that Armarkat uses very good materials (within the limits of pressboard) and can take years of abuse. With the exception of the hinges for one of the ramps, for us, the only thing that's really gone badly, after seven years, is the sisile is almost all gone on two of the posts, because our cats are monsters. I can tell you that, to the best of my searching ability, that $56 one is the best option (EDIT: for multiple cats, the Walmart Armarkat is good quality but the narrow design is a fight waiting to happen) currently available for less than $75 on any reputable site.
But my wife doesn't like the color scheme, so, back to the drawing board.
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Stay away.
The kind with particle board boxes frequently pops up for $5 to $10 more than this, and will last longer, and be far less hazardous.
Stay away.
The kind with particle board boxes frequently pops up for $5 to $10 more than this, and will last longer, and be far less hazardous.
I agree. Also, the perches are flat, without a ledge around the perimeter, like the Armakat has. This gives the cat a little something to lean against when on the perch, making it more comfortable and safer. This looks like an Armakat knockoff.
Got this that time it went on sale for like 13$. I appreciate Chewy at the time for honoring those who got that sale price because it was a real cheesy move with coupons that brought it down from something like 40$ to 13$. Thought they would cancel orders, but they didn't.
Anyways, my two cats enjoyed it and overall it's worked good over the year or so I've had it. It wobbles a noticeable amount when the cats jump up and down it. Both can use it at the same time, no worries of it falling over or anything. My chonker cat isn't too fond of using it I think cause he wobbles it a bit more, but he still does use it fairly often. Not as much as my more nimble cat, she always goes up and down it all day fine. They both had amazing fun though the first weeks I put it up for them!
Definitely can tell the quality vs. an Armakat tower when you are putting it together. Speaking of, it's not that hard too put together either. Once built, you'll feel the wobbliness compared to better quality brands. Overall build quality is good though.
The fabric threads can also be pulled up by my cats, so don't expect the fabric lining to last long if you have a messy scratcher cat who doesn't use the twine posts like mine does sometimes. I have to cut the long threads every once in a while when she starts playing with the fabric. Never had this issue with the Armakat tower we've had. Over the year I've had the Frisco, the fabric has stayed mostly on, thankfully the cats do not rip at it much.
Would I get it again at 13$? Heck Yes. Would I at 49$? No, I'd honestly put/save my money towards better, sorry don't know the good brands besides Armakat. Something that doesn't wobble nearly as much so the cats feel more comfortable on it. For a budget though it will work.
Got this that time it went on sale for like 13$. I appreciate Chewy at the time for honoring those who got that sale price because it was a real cheesy move with coupons that brought it down from something like 40$ to 13$. Thought they would cancel orders, but they didn't.
Anyways, my two cats enjoyed it and overall it works okay over the year or so I've had it. It wobbles a noticeable amount when the cats jump up and down it. Both can use it at the same time, no worries of it falling over or anything. My chonker cat isn't too fond of using it I think cause he wobbles it a bit more, but he still does use it fairly often. Not as much as my more nimble cat, she always goes up and down it all day fine.
Definitely can tell the quality vs. an Armakat tower when you are putting it together. Speaking of, it's not that hard too put together either. Once built, you'll feel the wobbliness compared to better quality brands.
The fabric threads can also be pulled up by my cats, so don't expect the fabric lining to last long if you have a messy scratcher cat who doesn't use the twine posts like mine does sometimes. I have to cut the long threads every once in a while when she starts playing with the fabric. Never had this issue with the Armakat tower we've had. Over the year I've had the Frisco, the fabric has stayed mostly on, thankfully the cats do not rip at it much.
Would I get it again at 13$? Heck Yes. Would I at 49$? No, I'd honestly put/save my money towards better, sorry don't know the good brands besides Armakat. Something that doesn't wobble nearly as much so the cats feel more comfortable on it.
I just set up mine from that $13 deal. Great review; it is totally worth the $13 especially shipped but like you said there's no comparison to Armakat.
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this doesn't look like the top perches have sides on them (box type) and my cats could have easily fell off.
I bought the $56 one on Amazon vs this one. Hopefully, that was the right move?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Armark...y/19353837
But my wife doesn't like the color scheme, so, back to the drawing board.