You’re not alone if you’ve ever entered your house and wondered what on earth your cat was doing when she was perched on top of the refrigerator, a bookshelf, or another high point. As we all know, there are a lot of, uh, peculiar behaviors displayed by cats that are difficult to understand, but it turns out that perching on high objects is a fairly common—and innate—habit among domesticated cats.
Why Do Cats Congregate in Elevated Areas?
The explanation is rather straightforward: because they are both prey and predators to larger animals like coyotes, owls, and eagles, as well as mice, birds, rabbits, and other small animals, cats naturally feel the need to survey their surroundings from above. Cats that are higher up have a better view of possible prey as well as some protection from larger animals and the ability to see potential predators in the distance. Furthermore, when the ancestors of our domesticated cats lived in forests and jungles, the leaves and branches of the trees they regarded as home provided some additional protection against predators.
Apart from the occasional mouse or bird, it’s safe to say that most domesticated cats aren’t regular hunters and aren’t being hunted either. Nonetheless, their inclination to perch high in the environment is firmly embedded in their biological and evolutionary make-up.
Your cat might enjoy spending time perched atop the refrigerator for the following reasons:
- She can monitor her surroundings with it, and it’s warm!
- In a hectic home, it provides her with some quiet, private space.
- It provides her with defense against other cats, animals, and young children.
- It keeps her from getting into arguments with the other cats in the house.
Lounging at the highest spots can actually serve as a sort of status symbol in households with multiple adult cats, as the cat with the “best” vantage point is usually regarded as the dominant cat. Since each cat will have a “designated” spot, having multiple high points in the house can help reduce conflict.
The Reasons Your Cats Need Vertical Space in Your Home
Cats that have been domesticated simply love climbing because it provides them with both physical and mental stimulation, in addition to their innate desire to climb. (If you own a cat, you are aware that a bored animal can act mischievously or even destructively.) For this reason, giving your cat lots of vertical space to climb, jump, and perch is crucial—especially if you have several adult cats in your house. Recall that cats use height and vertical placement to establish their hierarchies. Although the hierarchy is flexible, it plays a crucial role in keeping the balance of the cat society in your house.
Thankfully, there are lots of simple and reasonably priced ways to give your cat vertical space:
- Think about purchasing or building a DIY cat tree or climbing post. You can find a cat tree or climbing post that meets both the needs of your cat and the size and design of your home thanks to the wide variety of types and styles that are available on the market.
- Put in a system of shelves or shelves all together on your wall. Try adjusting the distances between your shelves after you’ve mounted them. Your cat will be forced to climb or leap from shelf to shelf in this. Lower the shelves to the ground and arrange them closer together if your cat is elderly or has special needs.
- Give your cat’s favorite window a window perch. You can purchase or construct a basic window perch for your cat to relax on if she has a favorite window. To ensure your cat can’t escape, always keep your windows closed and secured.
- Make the most of your floor plan. If you live in a smaller apartment or condo, you can make the most of your vertical space by adding bookshelves or shelving around the edges of each room, or just by letting your cat curl up on your couches, coffee tables, and fridge.
If you decide to put in window stools or shelving, make sure they are covered with non-slip fabric and firmly anchored to the wall using the appropriate anchors. Additionally, any shelving needs to be wide enough for your cat to comfortably snooze on.
Recall that you should never allow your cat to climb on trees or other outdoor structures. Taking your house cat outside can be very risky and possibly fatal.
Additional Resources:
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/why-cats-like-high-places-4773676
- https://www.petassure.com/new-newsletters/understanding-why-cats-like-high-places/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/01/30/cats-high-places/
- https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/why-cats-like-high-places
- https://khpet.com/blogs/cats/why-do-cats-like-high-places
