What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £90 (~$120) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £76 (~$102) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £58 (~$78) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £40 (~$54) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £22 (~$30) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Hygiene and what the item previously housed, which matters for disease and for allergies.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a cat tree is worth what is being asked:
- Shredded sisal and torn carpet
- Wobbling bases, which cats avoid
- Odour, which is difficult to remove entirely
- Small single-post units, which sell for very little
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Solid, stable bases that do not rock
- Sisal posts with rope intact
- Removable, washable covers
- Larger multi-level designs
Common faults and fakes
Not a counterfeit category. The misdescription to watch is size — ‘large’ means very different things between makers.
Ask what animal used it, how it has been cleaned, and for internal dimensions in centimetres rather than a size name.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a cat tree, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Push it firmly at the top and describe what happens. Base width matters more than height, and owners of large breeds ask this every time.
Photograph the sisal. Rewrapping a post is a cheap job many buyers will happily do, but they need to see how much is left.
Answer honestly, including whether the previous cat sprayed on it. This is the one thing that makes a cat tree worthless, and it cannot be hidden at collection.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Push the top platform to check for wobble
- Inspect the sisal posts for shredding
- Clean thoroughly and photograph in daylight
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The whole tree upright, whole, against a plain wall
- The sisal posts close up, showing how much wrap is left
- The platforms and any hammock or enclosed bed, from above
- The base and any wobble point, plus every worn, shredded or stained area
Details to confirm before you commit
- Overall height and base footprint
- Number of platforms, beds, hammocks and scratching posts
- Condition of the sisal and the carpet surfaces
- Whether it dismantles, and whether all fixings are present
Live cat tree listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse pet supplies for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Steady all year, with a small lift after Christmas and when people take on new cats in spring. Tall, clean, sturdy trees sell within a week.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a cat tree sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell cat tree for what to photograph and how to price, or what cat tree is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used cat tree?
Around £13 to £58 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a cat tree before buying?
Ask what animal used it, how it has been cleaned, and for internal dimensions in centimetres rather than a size name.
Is buying a cat tree second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Hygiene and what the item previously housed, which matters for disease and for allergies.
See also: all buying guides · cat tree value guide · selling cat tree · Pet Supplies · condition grades.