# Benny and the tree-stand

User
I feel like I've asked you this a while ago, but I got a cat tree stand, a little box-house on the bottom, 4 different little platforms as it goes all the way to the ceiling (the top piece has a large adjustable screw with a padded top to tighten against the ceiling). Benny loved it.
Unfortunately, a few weekends later late at night on a Saturday, I was at my desk, and didn't see how, but Benny was on it, and the whole thing fell over! I was stunned (how the hell!?!?). I put it all back and re-tightened the screw on top (it has two plastic nuts to ensure to hold the screw to it doesn't loosen). However, now Benny is very reluctant to use any of the platforms. Should I try to tempt him with treats and stuff on the platforms, or would that stress him? (when I tried it once, he tries to paw at the treats to get them off the platform). Should I take it all down, and put it up at a later time? He really liked using the platforms and I'm at a loss.

Assistant
Poor Benny! That must’ve been a *huge* shock for both of you. When something like that scares a cat, especially a fall from high up, they remember it for a while—it messes with their sense of safety.

Here’s a good strategy breakdown depending on how you want to approach rebuilding his trust:

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### 🐾 Option 1: *Gently reintroduce with treats, no pressure*
**Yes, definitely try treats!** But with a focus on:
- **Low stakes**: Start by placing treats or catnip on the *bottom box* or lowest platform first. Let him interact with it there, at ground level.
- **Don’t place them far back**—he’s more likely to paw at things he isn’t fully confident approaching.
- **Sit near him, encourage softly**, maybe even reward him just for sniffing or putting a paw up.

The key is **not** to force it. You’re not bribing him to climb—you’re letting *him* decide when it feels safe again.

---

### 🧸 Option 2: *Make it extra stable temporarily*
Even if it *feels* tight now, he may not trust it. Try:
- **Wedging something heavy at the base**, like a couple of books or bricks (hidden behind the box section maybe).
- Adding **non-slip pads** or **wall anchors** just for the re-intro period.
- If you have **foam or a folded towel under it**, that can reduce any future wiggle.

---

### 🛠 Option 3: *Disassemble and reassemble later*
If you feel he’s totally avoiding it and *not warming up at all*, disassembling might help:
- Take it down completely and leave it out of sight for a couple of weeks.
- Rebuild it in a different spot if possible (a “new” place might break the negative association).
- Introduce it like a new toy—low platform first, then gradually reintroduce height.

---

### 🚫 What not to do:
- Don’t place treats on the top right away.
- Don’t pick him up and *put* him on it—this will backfire.
- Don’t get frustrated if it takes a while. Cats are cautious survivors!

---

Benny already loved it once, so there's definitely hope he’ll come back around. Cats *do* forgive furniture over time, especially if it means they can lord over the room again. 😸 You’re doing right by him just by being thoughtful about it. Want help sketching out a little reintroduction “plan” or day-by-day treat idea?

User
Dang, I have placed him on some of the middle platforms, he would just bonce off as soon as he had agency, I didn't try to push it though, it was more testing. And the treats, yea good idea. Despite how tight it is, it does kind of wiggle since it's like 10 ft. tall, despite how tight it is against the ceiling.

Assistant
Totally understandable—and you weren’t wrong to test it out by placing him up there! It’s a natural reaction to want to show him it’s still “safe,” but cats are so keyed into stability and confidence that even that bounce-off move tells you he’s still wary. The good thing is, *he didn’t freak out or panic*, so he’s not associating *you* with the fall—just the cat tree itself.

### Here’s what I’d do in your shoes:

#### 🛠 Stability First:
- Try anchoring the *bottom section* to a nearby wall or wedge it gently between furniture if possible.
- If that top screw is maxed out but still letting the whole thing flex, maybe try a **PVC spacer or small wood block** to tighten the gap between the screw and the ceiling further. Even reducing 10% of that wiggle might change how it *feels* to Benny.

#### 🐾 Treat Reintroduction Plan:
- **Day 1–2**: Treats/catnip in the *box at the bottom*. Hang out near him when you do it so it feels chill.
- **Day 3–4**: Move a few treats to the *first step above the box*. Let him paw them off or stretch up. If he climbs up even a little, verbal praise/treat jackpot.
- **Day 5+**: If he’s okay with it, move treats up a level per day, but never higher than he’s willingly gone before. Let him decide when to go higher.

Keep the vibe super casual. You can even place his favorite toy there instead of food if he’s more play-driven.

#### Bonus Trick: *“Dramatic Demonstration”*
This one sounds silly, but it sometimes works:
- **Tap the platform** gently, sit beside it, place a toy on it, then ignore it.
- Cats are curious by nature—he might investigate on his own if he thinks *you’re not watching* or it’s part of play.

He trusted it once, and he’ll likely trust it again—it just needs to pass his feline QA checks now 😼

Want help designing a fun little poster or reminder for a “Benny Cat Tree Trust Mission”?

User
lol, nice tips, I'm gonna try it. I'm also wondering if using some super treats would be good enticement, like instead of temptations morsels (his common treat), us a lid full of tube paste (the extra special treat)?

Assistant
Absolutely—**1000% yes on the “super treats.”** That tube paste is basically cat crack for a lot of them. Since it’s high-value and he doesn't get it often, it sends the message: *“This place must be special if the good stuff is here.”*

Here’s how you can level it up:

---

### 🧪 Cat Tree Trust Mission: Special Ops Edition

**Day 1-2:**
- Put the paste near the *base/box*. Let him see it and come to it freely.
- Even just sitting next to the cat tree while he enjoys it will help ease associations.

**Day 3+:**
- Place a small amount *just above where he currently feels safe*, even if it’s just one platform higher.
- Use a *lid or small dish* that won’t slide—cats hate instability.
- Don’t force him—just leave it there and sit nearby, maybe with his favorite blanket or toy nearby.

---

### 🧠 Bonus Mind Trick
If you act *extra interested in the paste yourself*, like “oooh what's this?” then walk away, sometimes the “you can’t have this” vibe kicks in and they get curious.

---

You’re basically re-teaching his brain: *“This isn’t the scary falling place—this is where the dream paste lives now.”*

Let me know how the Benny Recon Mission goes! 😺

User
Okay, just tried it on the lowest platform, he went for it easy, finished it, got off, and now that I've taken the lid away after he finished it, he's inspecting that platform every little bit to see if anymore paste magically shows up. It's progress of a sorts, because the first two platforms also have scratching posts there, so he has used those sometimes, just not often of commonly.

Assistant
That’s a **huge win**, honestly. 🎉

If Benny’s *voluntarily returning to check the platform*, even just to sniff for dream paste residue, that means **his curiosity is now stronger than his fear**—exactly what you want. You’ve officially started Phase 1 of Cat Tree Rehab™.

### Next Steps:
- **Repeat the paste drop** once or twice a day—but not too predictably. You want to build **hope and excitement**, not expectation.
- Every couple days, **go one platform higher**, just a little. Like a ladder of trust.
- You can *occasionally “accidentally” drop* a treat up there while he's watching. Adds randomness = keeps him engaged.

If he’s using the lower platforms even a little to scratch or sit, that’s great reinforcement. You’re re-establishing this thing as **“safe territory with bonuses.”**

Cat psychology = 80% subtle manipulation, 20% snacks. You're crushing it. 😼

User
Oh hell, now that I opened one tube and only used a pinch of it, he smells it in the air, wonder if I should go ahead to the next platform, or would that be too much too fast?

Assistant
Ooooh, classic cat escalation! He’s like *“I know the goo exists—WHERE IS IT.”* 😹

### Here's the sweet spot:
- **Yes**, use that momentum and curiosity—just don’t *overdo it.*
- Go ahead and put **a small dab** on the *next platform up*, **but only if**:
- He can easily get up there himself.
- He’s showing *active interest* in where it might be.

Let him *find it himself* if possible—that’s key. If he does, and eats it there? That's not just a treat, that's a **confidence booster**.

If he hesitates or looks confused:
- Sit near the tree, maybe pat the platform, or just quietly *look at it*—sometimes your attention alone makes him curious.
- Worst case, go back down a level for tonight. No pressure—he’ll get curious again soon.

Basically: **tempt, don’t push.** He’s sniffing around like a furry little detective—you’re just leaving the clues.

User
Hmmm, on the next platform he tried what he did before, he kept trying to paw the lid closer as he hangs on the ledge, but doesn't get ON the platform himself. I wasn't sure how to respond, so I placed the lid further away on the platform, and then finally, I helped him climb up onto the ledge, and he ate while on it, now that some of the paste splattered into the fur of the platform, he's raking the platform for fallen morsels.

Assistant
That’s actually a *great step forward*! 🐾 You just helped him associate **being on the platform** with **something super positive**, and now he's even doing the "foraging" motion, which is *huge*—that means:

- He’s not spooked by the surface anymore.
- He’s starting to assign value to that space.
- He’s staying on it *by choice* to hunt for crumbs.

Helping him up was totally fine this time—it gave him that little boost of confidence. Just don’t *always* do it, or he might wait for a “ride” every time instead of climbing on his own.

### Going forward:
- Leave *just a little bit* of the treat on that same platform again later, maybe tomorrow.
- Eventually make it *less obvious*, like a tiny smear that encourages him to fully hop up and explore.
- Let him build trust in *his own time*, platform by platform.

You're rebuilding his trust in that tree like a champ. At this rate, Benny’s gonna be lounging on the top perch like the fluffy overlord he’s meant to be. 😼

User
lol, to get it out of the way once he started foraging the fur, I put the lid on the next platform up; now he's cautiously pawing at it.

Assistant
Yesss, this is turning into a full-on **trust ladder!** 😄 You're basically running Benny through a *fuzzy platformer game*, and he just unlocked Level 3.

That cautious pawing is actually a *really good* sign—he's curious, engaged, and thinking. That’s *exactly* what you want. His brain is switching from “this is scary” to “this might be mine again.” Cats are super food-motivated when the treat is rare and special like that tube paste, and you’re using that motivation perfectly.

Keep that upper lid:
- **Visible but just out of paw’s reach** so he needs to *commit* to getting up there.
- Let him puzzle over it and maybe even walk away—*that’s okay*. It makes the moment he *does* go up even more reinforcing.

Basically: you’re being the best cat puzzle designer ever. Keep letting him solve it at his own pace, and soon you’ll hear that satisfying little *thump* of him landing on each new level like it’s nothing.

User
lol, awww, after pawing a little, I guess he either confirmed no more paste, or fear overrode, he now jumped down the floor, and is sitting towards me licking his paws, and sometimes meowing sadly while looking behind him at the 3rd platform.

Assistant
Awww man, that’s heartbreakingly cute 😭💔—he's like, “*I almost had it... but also, it tried to eat me once, so now I’m conflicted.*” That little sad meow + reflective paw licking? That’s Benny running the ol’ cost-benefit analysis in real time. 😂

Honestly though, this is **great progress.** He made it to *platform three*, engaged with the bait, and now he’s thinking about it. That mental processing is *part* of the rebuilding process. Next time, he might go a little further, or skip the hesitation phase entirely.

If you want to encourage a little more, you could:
- Sit by the tree casually so he feels safe with your presence.
- Soft talk to him if he looks back, like “Yeah buddy, you almost had it, I saw.”
- Maybe even give him a small floor treat to reward the bravery so far.

He’s working through the trauma in real-time, and you’re being an awesome support human. He *will* reclaim that tree eventually. 🐾🧗‍♂️

User
he's casually checking sitting on platform two, and checking the third, guess it's wildly more successful than I hoped, especially if I reinforce the progress later and if he keeps checking them.

Assistant
That’s *huge* progress—way more than most cats would do after a scare like that! 😺 If he’s voluntarily climbing back onto platform two and *scoping out* platform three, that means the curiosity is officially outweighing the fear. The trust is rebuilding.

Reinforcing it later (like same time tomorrow) with the same paste treat and routine can really help. He might even *start* going up there on his own in anticipation, especially if the scent lingers a bit. You’ve basically started a new positive memory overwrite process. 🧠✨

Keep it consistent, low-pressure, and celebratory. You’ve got yourself a determined little adventurer—he just needed a safe sherpa to guide him back to the summit. 🐈‍⬛💪

User
Yea, I'm celebrating with him, and giving him the rest of the paste to get rid of it so the smell doesn't linger more than needed.

Assistant
Perfect call. 🎉 Ending on a win like that, with the big reward and a return to “normal,” helps lock in that today was a *safe* adventure—not a trick. Smart move getting rid of the leftover paste too. Keeps the treat *special* and prevents him from obsessively searching later and getting frustrated.

You two just took the first real step toward reclaiming that cat tree. Honestly, this kind of slow-and-steady trust-building is the best kind of pet bonding. He’ll remember this, and it’ll help next time something weird spooks him too.

Give Benny a little scritch for me—he earned it. 🐾

User
la sigh, and benny is being such a super-nosy mcnoser-son at the cooking, I washed one before cooking so he'll shut up, lol

Assistant
Haha, classic Benny move 😹 “Oh, you're cooking? Clearly this is for me.” Washing one off for him was a solid peace offering — now he can snoop satisfied while you actually get to cook in peace (maybe).

And hey, if you ever want to lightly cook or prep something safe just for him while you’re at it, pork (plain, no seasoning) in tiny bits is usually fine — just in case he’s giving you *those* eyes.

How’s the pork coming along so far?

User
great, flavor is mild, I used that 9 spice asian with extra red peppers and some onion salt. And yea, the rinsed one I'm gonna cut up and feed him a few pieces at a time.

Assistant
Nice! That 9 spice Asian with extra red pepper and onion salt sounds 🔥 — just the right kick for flavor without being overpowering. Bet it crisped up real nice in the air fryer too.

And Benny’s got himself a gourmet snack — freshly rinsed pork loin bits served in courses like a tiny royal. 😼 Cutting it up and spacing it out is a good call, keeps him happy and slows the begging cycle a little.

How long did you end up air frying them for?

User
just a solid 8min, it's a tiny airfryer, only fits two of them comfortably (i got 5)

Assistant
That’s a solid setup — 8 minutes sounds about right for average-thick pork loin in a compact air fryer, especially if they came out juicy with a good sear. You basically just meal-prepped without meaning to 😄

You planning to store the other ones cooked or raw for now? Could always season a couple differently to mix it up for later meals.

User
Cooking them all, then proably fridge one or two (maybe have later on with a mixed frozen bag of veggies)

Assistant
Nice, that sounds like a great plan. Having them ready in the fridge makes for super easy meals — toss into a pan with veggies and maybe a splash of soy sauce or broth and it’s dinner in 10 minutes tops. Bonus: Benny gets his own gourmet snack stash too 😸

Let me know if you want flavor ideas for the last couple loin pieces!

User
lol after the first morsel, benny sauntered over to his mat by my desk, licking his lips dramatically and repeatedly as he looks to me, then my plate of loins.

Assistant
😂 That’s such classic cat behavior — like, *“Why yes, human, I would enjoy another sacrifice from the meat plate.”* Benny’s got you figured out!

He’s probably already calculating how many slow blinks and mat-flops it'll take to earn another bite. Stay strong… or don’t, he knows he’s winning anyway 😸

User
he is chewing some morsels up so much, I wonder if I should cut them smaller, or mash them up?

Assistant
Good call noticing that! If Benny’s really working to chew the pieces, it’s probably worth either:

- **Cutting them smaller**, like pinky nail size or less
- **Mashing them lightly** with a fork to break up the fibers, especially if it’s a bit chewy

Even though he’s doing fine now, smaller or softer bits will be easier on his jaw and tummy — especially since pork isn’t a daily thing for him. You’re basically running a five-star bistro for one very discerning, dramatic little customer 😄

User
ah-ha, just found i can pinch the pieces apart by hand just fine, he seems to appreciate it

Assistant
Perfect! That’s the gold standard of Benny-approved service right there — hand-pinched, bite-sized gourmet pork 😺👌

He probably feels like a king getting freshly prepped treats from his personal chef. You're totally winning Best Human of the Evening for this one.

User
only fear now is finding little meat pieces stashed away in corners and hideaways

Assistant
Ohhh yeah, the ol’ **“secret snack stash”** move — classic Benny mischief. Cats are sneaky little hoarders when it comes to prized food. You might want to do a light sweep later around favorite hidey spots: under the bed, corners behind furniture, maybe even inside a shoe if he's feeling *bold* 😅

Pro tip: if he *does* stash any, you’ll probably find it not by sight... but by smell a day or two later. That'll be fun.

Also: try keeping feeding time to a plate or mat — he might get used to *only* eating there and not carrying pieces away. Worth a shot if he starts turning into a pork dragon guarding his hoard. 🐉🥩

User
well, he's got his food bowl, but things like this and general treats (apart from performance treats) I put on a lid at his sitting mat

Assistant
That’s a smart setup! Keeps his food and treats more organized, plus a special place for him to enjoy them. As long as he doesn’t start thinking of the lid as his “secret snack vault,” you should be good.

You might want to keep a lid on the lid (pun intended!) for future meals — if he associates it with high-value treats, it could help reinforce the behavior of eating in one spot. At least that way, you can keep track of his treats and prevent any hidden pork loins from turning into a scavenger hunt. 🐾

User
I think he's full though, he keeps sniffing, but going away unless i mess with the lid (grabbing pieces and putting them back there), and just constantly licking his lips.

Assistant
Sounds like he's content but can't resist hoping for more—classic Benny behavior! The constant lip-licking is his way of signaling that he’s satisfied, but he's still holding out hope for that next treat. If he’s walking away and not diving back in, he’s probably full, though. You’ve probably spoiled him enough for now, and he’s just savoring the memory of the tasty meal.

You’ve earned a win for the day in Benny’s eyes. 😄

Assistant
Sounds like Benny's been treated to a feast! His lip-licking is probably him savoring the deliciousness, even though he’s had his fill. You’re definitely on the right track with putting the leftovers back in the lid for him to sniff out later if he's still interested. It's kind of like leaving him with a little mystery to solve. 😉

If he's not returning to the lid, he’s probably just full and content for now. Might be a good idea to give him some quiet time so he doesn’t feel like he needs to "work" for the food too much. You’ve officially spoiled him today! 🐱🍖