Video can help you see how your cat approaches, climbs and leaves a tree when you are not beside it. It cannot prove a platform is never used unless the relevant period and area were actually recorded. Begin with one practical question rather than filming in the hope that a clip will explain everything.
Choose a question the camera can answer
You might want to know which side the cat approaches from, whether a resting spot is used at night, or whether another cat is nearby before a visit ends. Write that question down before changing the furniture.
On a multi-level design such as The Ultimate PawHouse, frame the approach and the route between the relevant levels, not just a close-up of the top bed. A condo interior may remain out of sight; label it as unobserved rather than empty.
Keep recording equipment separate from the climbing route
Set up the camera according to its own instructions, away from the cat's reach and without trailing cables across the route. Do not attach an extra mount to the tower unless the furniture manufacturer permits it. A camera position should not become another platform, obstacle or dangling attraction.
Choose a view limited to the furniture where possible. Agree recording with people sharing the space, and follow the camera's account and access guidance. You do not need footage of the entire household to answer a perch-use question.
Record observations, not conclusions
Use a short note with the date, period reviewed, cat identified if known, entry route, visible resting place and exit. Mark recording gaps and obscured areas. If the device only saves motion-triggered clips, an absent clip is not proof of an absent visit.
Do not lure the cat onto an uncertain platform to obtain a demonstration. Keep normal routines and note unusual events such as visitors or furniture cleaning. A staged climb answers a different question from where the cat chooses to rest.
Use the record to make one considered decision
If you repeatedly see an obstructed approach, inspect that route directly. If a platform is simply outside the camera view, change the view before deciding the platform needs replacing. Video does not certify stability, platform capacity or suitability for a cat's health needs.
Keep any structural concern out of use and seek the appropriate product advice. For route planning, read our guide to checking the whole climbing route. The useful result is a better-supported question or small layout decision, not a reason to buy a taller tree based on one quiet afternoon.
