Amazon Basics Cat Tower with Hammock Bed Review

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For a cat tower with hammock bed, the Amazon Basics Cat Tower with Hammock Bed and Scratching Post is a small, 19.7-inch beige tower with two scratching posts, a plush suspended hammock, a secure base and a dangling soft ball. The listing describes it as made for indoor cats and for small breeds. This guide covers what the listing says about the posts, the hammock, the base and the assembly, and it notes where the listing’s material description does not match its bullets. The facts come from the listing and from two non-retail sources at the end.

Quick answer

• The listing gives a footprint of 15.75 by 15.75 inches and a height of 19.7 inches, which is a compact size.
• It describes two sturdy scratching posts, a plush suspended hammock, a secure base and a replaceable dangling soft ball.
• The listing says it redirects cats away from scratching carpet or furniture, and it describes natural jute fiber as the scratching texture.
• The spec table lists sisal as the material, while the bullets describe jute. The page does not settle which one the posts use.

What the listing describes

The listing describes the tower as a place for climbing, scratching and nap time. The first bullet names the parts: two sturdy scratching posts, a plush suspended hammock, a secure base, and a replaceable dangling soft ball toy. The replaceable ball is the one part of the tower the listing describes as a consumable.

The listing says natural jute fiber gives the posts a texture cats can use to sharpen claws and keep nails healthy. The health wording is the listing’s own, and this guide does not repeat it as a fact about nail health. The spec table, however, says the material is sisal. Both materials are rope-like, but the page does not say which one the posts use, so check the label on the posts when the box arrives.

The listing also says the tower redirects cats away from scratching carpet or furniture. That is a claim about behavior, and the page does not give a test for it. The ASPCA and Cornell pages offer general advice on redirecting scratching, which is covered below.

The page says the tower is easy to assemble in a matter of minutes and that it can be spot cleaned. It does not describe the cleaner to use.

Size and fit for small cats

The listing gives the dimensions as 15.8 by 15.8 by 19.7 inches, and the product details give the weight as 8.82 pounds, with a model number of ZJS-16066-5. The breed recommendation is small breeds. These are the listing’s figures, and they point to a tower that fits a small cat or a kitten.

A cat that is larger than a small breed may find the hammock and the perch too small to use comfortably. The listing gives no stated maximum weight for the hammock, so an owner with a heavy cat should measure the hammock’s surface and compare it with the cat’s body length before buying.

Posts, hammock and scratching

The ASPCA says to offer a variety of scratchers so the owner can see what a cat prefers. It also says that for an upright scratcher, the post should not wobble or tip when the cat scratches on it, because a cat may avoid a post that moves. The tower has two posts and a base, so the owner should press on each post and the base before the cat uses it.

The ASPCA also says a scratcher should be tall enough for a full stretch. The listing gives the tower’s height as 19.7 inches, which is short for a cat that stretches fully. The owner should watch how the cat uses the posts and add a taller scratcher if the cat stretches past the top.

Cornell’s destructive behavior page says a scratching post should be sturdy enough not to topple over during use. It says a sisal or rope-like covering suits a cat that prefers nubby surfaces, and that the post should match the cat’s preferred scratching direction. Cornell also says to place a post next to an area the cat already scratches. The listing’s claim about redirecting scratching depends on that placement.

Placement

The ASPCA says to place at least one scratcher close to where the cat likes to nap, because cats often scratch after they wake up. The hammock is a napping spot, so the tower works best in the room where the cat already sleeps. Put the posts close to the furniture the owner wants to protect, since that is where the listing says the tower redirects scratching.

Keep the tower away from cords or curtains that a cat could catch on. The listing does not describe how the hanging ball attaches, so check that the ball is fastened before the cat plays with it.

Assembly and care

The listing says the tower is easy to assemble and that it can be spot cleaned as needed. It does not describe a full wash, and it gives no cleaning product. The owner should follow the instructions in the box and check each screw before use.

The product details include a user manual and a warranty document, both in PDF form. The owner should keep the warranty document with the box in case a part fails. The listing does not give the warranty term in the captured text.

What we could not verify

The listing does not give a weight limit for the hammock, the posts or the base. It does not say whether the posts are sisal or jute, which is the key question for an owner who wants a specific texture. It does not describe the replacement ball’s part number. It does not give a test result for the claim that the tower redirects scratching from carpet or furniture.

How we chose this listing

This guide covers one listing, the Amazon Basics Cat Tower with Hammock Bed and Scratching Post in beige. It was chosen because it is a compact tower with two posts and a hammock, and the listing gives full dimensions. The guide does not rank this tower against others and does not state a price or a review.

Who this suits

This tower suits a small indoor cat, an owner with a small room or a corner, and an owner who wants two posts and a hammock in one piece. It suits an owner who will check the posts and base before use and who can move the tower to where the cat already scratches.

It does not suit a large cat, an owner who needs a stated weight limit, or an owner who needs to know the exact post material before buying. For a scratcher with a different shape, see the cat scratchers guide, and for a bed-style option, see the indoor cat beds guide.

FAQ

Is the post sisal or jute?

The spec table says sisal. The bullets say natural jute fiber. The page does not settle it, so check the label on the posts when the box arrives.

Is the tower suitable for a large cat?

The listing gives a small-breed recommendation and a 19.7-inch height. It does not give a weight limit, so a large cat should be measured against the hammock and the posts before use.

Does the tower stop cats scratching furniture?

The listing says it redirects cats away from scratching carpet or furniture. The page does not give a test for that claim. The ASPCA and Cornell both say that placement and a variety of scratchers matter.

Is the hammock suitable for a larger cat?

The listing gives a small-breed recommendation and no hammock weight limit. Check the hammock size against the cat before buying.

Sources

• ASPCA, Scratching Behavior in Cats: offer a variety of scratchers, upright scratchers should not wobble, sturdy posts tall enough for a full stretch, and place a scratcher near where the cat sleeps.
• Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: Destructive Behavior: a post should be sturdy enough not to topple, sisal suits cats that prefer nubby surfaces, and posts should sit next to areas the cat already scratches.
• Feline Veterinary Medical Association, Meeting the Physical and Emotional Needs of Owned Indoor Cats: several behavioral disorders and medical diseases seen in cats are secondary to stress, and the statement attributes that stress to an inappropriate indoor living environment.