The cat tree is very sturdy, One of my big guys still refuses to use it, the other big guy has a couple times. (Big guys are very tall and weigh 16lbs. the other 19lbs.) My little girl uses it now (8lbs.). I have one complaint in which could be harmful, as the carpet sheds bad when they scratch it, on 2 occasions I found a staple in the pieces when I picked it up! So a little nervous about that, or it may have gotten more stars.