8 Best Cat Wall Shelves – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
Cats prefer to be in the upper levels of a room in order to keep vigilant watch on the world below. This is an instinctual nature that housecats have inherited from their wild ancestors. Feral felines are tree-climbing predators. This need to climb is hard-wired into your kitty’s brain, making them feel more secure atop high-level areas. To cater to your cat’s innate desire to climb, you’ll need to outfit your home with many vertical spaces. Cat wall shelves are the purr-fect way to make your cat feel safe and secure without taking up precious floor real estate. In order to help you select the best wall shelf for your cat, we’ve rounded up the best eight cat wall shelves of this year. Based on our extensive research and real-life customer reviews, we’ve compiled a list that includes premium products that your cat is guaranteed to enjoy.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | 7 Ruby Road Cat Hammock |
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Best Value | FUKUMARU Cat Climbing Shelf |
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Premium Choice | CatastrophiCreations |
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Best for Corners | Wally Corner Cat Shelf |
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Art of Paw Cat Shelf |
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The 8 Best Cat Wall Shelves
1. Ruby Road Cat Hammock – Best Overall
Our pick for the best overall cat wall shelf is the cat hammock with two steps from 7 Ruby Road. Affordably priced, this cat hammock can comfortably support one large cat or two small felines. Offering plenty of space for kitties of all sizes, this hammock is comfy enough for your pet to catch a quick snooze. Two scratching posts step enable your cat to easily navigate the cat shelves while sparing your furniture from cat claws. The only drawback is that the hammock needs to be mounted to stud walls or bricks. Hanging it on drywall could be risky.
- Affordable
- Great for cats of all sizes
- Stairs double as scratching posts
- Should be mounted to brick or stud walls
2. FUKUMARU Cat Climbing Shelf – Best Value
We think that the best cat wall shelf for the money is this cat climbing shelf from FUKUMARU. This affordable cat climbing shelf provides multiple levels for your feline friend to climb, perch, and explore. It’s durable enough to withstand rough play. The shelves are made from 100% natural wood and add a stylish touch to your existing home décor. The stairs are wound with rope so your cat can scratch to her heart’s content. You do have to drill your own mounting holes, which can be tricky for some people. Some users said the wall anchors are of poor quality.
- Cost-effective
- Made from natural wood with rope for scratching
- Stylish
- Poor-quality wall anchors
- Can be difficult to put together
3. CatastrophiCreations Cat Hammock – Premium Choice
If you’re looking for a stylish, handmade, and high-quality cat wall shelf, look no further than this 66-inch cat hammock from CatastrophiCreations. A truly unique piece that resembles a work of art, this bridge lounger is easy to install, can hold up to 85 pounds per shelf, and is easy to wash. The hidden brackets give the bridges a free-floating look. This durable and versatile hammock is available in a plethora of natural wood selections and finishes. It’s also made in the USA. The only downside is that this product is on the pricier side.
- Can hold up to 85 pounds
- Versatile and durable
- Easy to wash
- Sleek and stylish
- Made in the USA
- Pricey
4. Wally Corner Cat Shelf – Best for Corners
If you’re on the hunt for a cat wall shelf that won’t take up too much space, then this Wally corner cat shelf is perfect! Made to easily fit into an empty corner of your home, this handcrafted cat shelf is great for apartments and smaller homes. It’s made from all-natural wood and is available in a wide range of fashionable fabric color options, including red, mint, blue, and pink. The cat all comes ready to install. However, your kitty might have a tough time getting to her perch since no cat steps are included. The company also doesn’t accept returns or exchanges.
- Great for smaller homes
- Made from natural wood
- Easy installation
- No returns or exchanges
- Cat steps not included
5. Art of Paw Cat Shelf
This durable cat wall hammock from Arts of Paws is a tasteful addition to any home. It takes less than five minutes to install and doubles as a cat scratcher. The large shelf, measuring 16 x 12 x 5 inches, accommodates most sized felines. It’s affordable and comes with a 3-year guarantee. Some users reported that the product can easily fall apart.
- Easy installation
- Affordable
- Doubles as scratcher
- Three-year guarantee
- May fall apart
6. Big Nose Wall Mounted Cat Scratching Post
With over 1,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.5-star rating, this cat scratcher is affordable and versatile. It doubles as a scratching post and is fully extendable between posts, making it customizable for any space. It works best for medium-sized cats weighing up to 15 pounds. The product is made from pet-safe and natural materials. Every component is replaceable to make it last for years to come. Some users reported that it doesn’t fit adult cats.
- 5 stars on Amazon
- Affordable
- Customizable
- May not fit bigger cats
7. Archie and Oscar 60 Inch Cleopatra Branch Cat Perch
Great for bigger cats, this 60-inch cat bench has ample room for your feline to lounge, climb, and stretch. The sleek, modern look adds a fashionable touch to any room of your house. The sinuous shape comfortably cradles your kitty and is the perfect catwalk. It’s easy to install, but you should install it into at least two beams. The manufactured wood material and faux fur covering are pet friendly. This product is more expensive than others on our list.
- Good for big cats
- Stylish
- Pet-friendly materials
- Expensive
8. Kitty Cot Window Perch
If your cat loves looking out the window, then this cat window perch from Kitty Cot is an absolute essential. Available in a large selection of sizes to fit all cats, this perch can be easily mounted to your window using giant USA patented suction cups. The cat hammock is easy to clean and install. It’s also very affordable. Some users reported that the suction cups can easily pop off and the cord can get wrapped around the cat, endangering the animal.
- Installs right onto the window
- Variety of sizes
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
- Cord may pose a risk to the cat
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Wall Shelves
If you’re buying a wall shelf for your cat, you’re certainly going to want to ensure it’s worth your money. After all, some of these selections can be rather pricey, so it’s best to know that the purchase is worth it before committing.
In this buyer’s guide, we’re going to explore what makes a good cat shelf and certain aspects that you need to look for when you purchase.
Correct Measurements
Every home setup will vary. Some people have more open wall space than others. If you have limited space, you will want to pay close attention to the measurements. How many shelves come with the product? How close together can you put them?
You need to make sure you understand the square footage of the wall in question, along with any other obstructions like windows or existing wall hangings. It will really help with possible returns or exchanges.
Materials
Materials are essential as far as how well-made the design is. In addition, some people prefer certain materials over others. For example, if you want to paint the shelves, you might wish to have bare wood or another paintable surface.
If you want something that’s already well made and looks snazzy, choose a material that is already finished as-is.
Durability
If you’re purchasing a product for your cat, you are obviously going to want to make sure it is durable. Cats can be quite hard on things, and they absolutely love to climb! If they bounce up and down the wall shelves, knowing that they will hold up is essential.
Try to make sure you understand the hardware included and how it will fasten to the wall. If you have any questions on the product’s overall durability, take to the reviews. See what other customers have to say about the longevity of the product.
Function
Wall hangings for cats are made quite differently from one another. Some are simply platforms that you screw into a wall like a shelf. Others consist of hideouts and cubby holes to put on your wall for nap time or play. You will likely choose a design based on the available space and your cat’s preferences.
For example, if you have a more physically active cat, you might want the wall hangings to create more of an entertainment-based atmosphere. If your cat loves taking naps, you might simply want a wall hanging that your cat can climb inside of and take a snooze.
Consider the cat’s overall temperament when you are making your decision.
Safety
If you trust this product to support your cat’s weight, you will want to ensure that it is completely safe. Safety means that the product needs to be in good standing, completely durable, and capable of carrying your cat’s weight.
It also means no sharp edges, points, harmful chemicals, or toxic substances on the product itself. Always make sure to read the product description in its entirety to validate the wall hanging’s safety.
Reviews are a really good place to turn here as well because it gives you an excellent indication of the overall safety of the product and whether or not other cat owners have had any problems.
Style
Only you can choose the style that’s right for your home. Some cat shelves are very plain, while others are intricate and fancy. Ultimately, it will depend on what you want for the overall look.
Some folks like style over function, while others don’t care what it looks like as long as it serves the purpose. You can undoubtedly find cat shelves to meet your needs or wants.
Hardware/Tools
Some cat shelves come with all the hardware you need to get started. Certain shelves are incredibly easy to put up and don’t require any additional tools. Other cat shelves require that you buy the hardware yourself and might require you to use drills and other tools to secure them to the wall.
In this case, you should always buy the shelves you feel comfortable hanging yourself. If you have a handyman around, it might not matter, but if you’re not too tool-savvy, ensure the design is easy to secure.
DIY Projects
You can certainly buy premade options for your cat. After all, it’s easier to hang up, and everything is already done for you. But if you’re crafty, you can also make your own cat shelves. There are tons of DIY tutorials on the web of exciting designs, and you can put a spin on your own, making it even more interesting or fitting with your decor.
Conclusion
For our best overall pick, we believe the 7 Ruby Road wall-mounted cat hammock is the best because of its affordability, durability, great reviews, and scratching post stairs. The best bang for your buck is the cat climbing shelf by FUKUMARU because of its versatility, durability, and affordable price. We hope this roundup of the best cat wall shelves made your search easier for the perfect product for your pet!
- See also: Best Wall-Mounted Cat Furniture