If you share your home with a big cat and we mean big in every sense of the word, you’ve probably had at least one moment of sheer panic as they launched themselves onto a shelf, only for it to wobble like Jell-O in an earthquake.
Whether your cat is built like a rugby player or just… very enthusiastic about climbing, standard cat furniture often just doesn't cut it. Lightweight wall shelves and slimline towers might work for dainty kittens, but bigger cats need sturdier, safer setups, especially if they’re living fully indoors.
In this blog, we’re diving into what to look for in cat climbing shelves that are built to support the weight (and wild instincts) of larger cats, and how to create an indoor climbing space that’s safe, secure, and mentally enriching.
Why Big Cats Still Need to Climb
Indoor cats live longer, healthier lives on average, but one thing they often don’t get enough of? Movement.
Cats are naturally wired to climb, stalk, jump, explore, and perch.
These behaviors don’t disappear just because a cat is indoors. And for larger breeds like Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats or even your average domestic floof who just happens to be a bit extra, those instincts are just as strong.
The problem?
Big cats + limited indoor space = potential boredom, stress, and furniture destruction. Giving them safe, elevated places to explore isn’t just about fun, it’s about mental stimulation, physical activity, and even emotional wellbeing.
But safety has to come first.
Why Most Cat Shelves Don’t Work for Heavy Cats
Many cat climbing shelves on the market look good in photos but fall short in real life, especially under the weight of a determined, heavy feline.
Some common issues:
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Low weight limits
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Flimsy mounting hardware
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Poor materials like MDF or particleboard that don’t hold up over time
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Inadequate support brackets, especially for dynamic weight (think: leaping or landing)
When you’ve got a 7kg+ cat launching themselves at full speed from shelf to shelf, you don’t want to rely on basic drywall anchors or questionable plastic clips.
What you need is climbing furniture that’s not only functional, but reinforced for impact.
What to Look for in Climbing Shelves for Large Cats
If you’re shopping for indoor cat climbing shelves for a big cat, here’s what actually matters:
✅ Weight Rating for Dynamic Movement
Static weight (just sitting or lying down) is one thing, but dynamic weight, jumping, landing, running, is what really tests a shelf. Aim for options that can confidently support 10–12kg or more, with room to spare.
✅ Wall Mounting That’s Solid and Safe
Look for climbers that include quality fixings for both solid and hollow walls (like expansion anchors) and plan to mount directly into wall studs. The integrity of the wall matters just as much as the shelf itself.
✅ Rounded, Non-Slip Surfaces
Big cats need space to balance and land safely. Shelves with soft textures (like felt or carpeted surfaces) help them grip with their paws and feel secure, while rounded edges prevent knocks and scrapes.
✅ Modular or Adjustable Layout
Every cat and every home is different. Shelves that can be arranged and spaced as needed make it easier to tailor the climb to your cat’s abilities and weight.
✅ Materials That Last
Durable materials like powder-coated steel brackets and high-quality engineered wood or eco-felt last longer and don’t warp or split over time.
The Importance of Stability (for Your Cat and Your Peace of Mind)
Cats are naturally cautious creatures. If something moves under them when they expect it to be solid, they may avoid it in the future. That means your carefully-installed shelf could become a permanent no-go zone or worse, a point of injury.
For bigger cats, this is even more important. They may carry more momentum in a jump, have less nimbleness in tight landings, and need wider turning radiuses when changing direction on a wall.
A stable, secure climbing shelf helps them:
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Build confidence in their environment
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Engage in more vertical exploration
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Stay mentally stimulated without the risk of a crash landing
Designing a Safe Climbing Wall for Bigger Cats
If you’re building an indoor climbing wall for your cat, think of it as a three-dimensional puzzle. You want to give your cat options, but you also want to set them up for success. Here are a few design tips:
1. Stagger the shelves
Cats love routes, they prefer gradual height increases over giant leaps. For larger cats, spacing shelves 30 - 40cm apart vertically (with overlap) allows for safe upward movement without overexertion.
2. Use the corners
Corner walls are great for creating L-shaped runs that feel secure. Bonus: corners often have more internal structure to support heavier mounts.
3. Mix heights and widths
Incorporate wider “landing pads” into the route, especially at turning points. These wider shelves act as safe zones where your cat can rest or plan their next move.
4. Ensure access down
Getting up is often easier than getting down, especially for bigger cats. Offer alternate routes or nearby furniture to make descent safer and less intimidating.
5. Think of rest zones
Not every shelf has to be a stepping stone. Cats love to perch and survey their domain. Include at least one or two shelves meant just for lounging.
What About Multi-Cat Households?
If you’ve got more than one feline, climbing shelves become even more helpful, but you’ll need more space and more escape routes. Creating multiple vertical paths helps prevent conflict, gives each cat their own territory, and reduces stress.
For bigger cats, make sure shared shelves are extra sturdy and wide enough for two. No one wants to play bumper cars mid-air.
Indoor Cats and Enrichment: More Than Just Play
Sometimes it’s easy to assume that indoor cats “have it easy.” They’re safe, fed, warm, what more could they want?
But even big couch potatoes need to feel challenged and fulfilled.
Vertical climbing spaces are one of the most effective forms of indoor enrichment. They let your cat:
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Observe their surroundings from a height (instinctive safety)
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Explore new vantage points
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Burn energy in a healthy, natural way
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Avoid stress in busy homes by finding a quiet perch
For big cats especially, who may not fit into tunnels or towers designed for smaller breeds, wall-mounted climbing shelves can be a game-changer.
Supporting the Big Cats of the World
Living with a large cat doesn’t mean giving up on indoor enrichment. With the right climbing shelves, strong, stable, and thoughtfully installed, even the chunkiest floof can scale the heights of your home with confidence.
Whether you DIY or bring in a professional installer, the goal is the same: to create an indoor space that supports your cat’s natural behaviors, safely and sustainably.
Because every cat deserves to climb.
And every wall should be able to handle it.
If you’re looking for shelves that tick all the right boxes, strength, stability, style, and space-saving, Pryde Pets Cat Climbers are a solid choice.
Built with powder-coated steel brackets and durable recycled felt, they’re designed to hold up under the zoomiest leaps and the chunkiest bums. Plus, the modular layout makes it easy to create a setup that suits your space and your cat’s preferences.
They’re cat-tested, big-cat-approved, and honestly?
Not bad to look at either.
