Why Do Cats Like High Places

As a cat owner, you have probably noticed that your furry friend often likes to sit or perch on high surfaces. Why is that? Well, like most things involving ‘cats’, it really boils down to animal instincts.

Instinctual Behavior

In the wild, felines are natural hunters: They are always looking for their next prey to kill and eat. This typically includes small animals such as rodents (mice, rats), birds, reptiles, and rabbits.

Fun Fact: Contrary to popular belief, fish is often an occasional delicacy for a cat, not a staple food as commonly thought!

Thus, the best vantage point for ‘hunting’ [small animals] is up high, from an elevated position. This gives a cat a strategic advantage, allowing it to zero in on its prey and increase the odds of successfully capturing it.

From a safety standpoint, cats instinctively gravitate toward elevated places above the ground. To both hunt for food to eat and to avoid becoming food for another animal! As the natural observers that they are, sitting high up in a tree comes as an organic practice to a cat: They can get a wide view of their habitat, and perhaps even catch a little ‘cat nap’!

Did you know? While cats are often the ‘hunter’, they are frequently ‘the hunted’ by larger animals like bears, coyotes, and foxes!

Cat Domestication

Your house cat is NOT a wild cat (hopefully!). So, are there other reasons it might want to perch at a height? Yes, there are some other reasons in fact!

Warmth

Have you noticed that your cat gravitates towards ‘higher spots’ during the cold, winter months? There is a science to it!

Since warm air rises, cats like to find places above the floor to gather warmth.

Cats have a higher body temperature than humans (usually around 100-102.5°F). This predisposes them to feel much cooler at typical room temperatures. Thus, they seek warmer areas to stay comfortable.

Whether it is on top of a bookshelf, a home appliance, or even a couch, cats are instinctively drawn to elevated spots, where they can feel warmer temperatures.

Fun Fact: Cats can trace their roots back to desert animals, which is why they automatically prefer warm temperatures over colder climates!

Escape From the Noise

Ever noticed your cat becoming easily startled by loud, sudden noise? Perhaps you have seen your cat treat any type of ‘elevated’ noise like Superman encountering kryptonite?

If you think about the term ‘scaredy cat,’ it suddenly makes a whole lot more sense: Cats don’t like commotion!

Whether the noise comes from other household members, especially children or other animals, cats will often seek out a place high up in the house to avoid the noise at ground level.

This behavior is even more pronounced when a cat is, or is ill.

Remember: Cats naturally like to ‘hide.’ This commonly occurs in high places. However, if your cat is excessively hiding or displaying other troubling symptoms, then it may be time to seek the professional assistance of a qualified, trained veterinarian.

Territory Claim

If you have a multi-cat and or multi-pet household, then this observation is a given: Cats are territorial animals. They will choose their “domain” over a part of the house to maintain a sort of ownership and control over this area of your home.

Often, cats will choose to claim ‘higher’ spots in your home as their own territory, for example, while another cat or animal may have dominion over the floor spaces.

Did you know? Cats instinctively label certain areas of their environment as being different ‘types’ of territories! For example, they may have a core territory for sleeping and toileting, a hunting territory, where they search for prey to hunt and eat, and even a shared territory which they use to observe their environment, wait for events to unfold (like being fed or for their owner to appear), or even to socialize with members of the household or even other animals.

Having High Spots in Your Home

Creating elevated places in your home can be as simple as clearing off a bookshelf or countertop, so the cat has a place to lounge that feels both safe and warm. This helps ensure your cat is safe from potential hazards, such as a loose object that could fall and injure them.

You can support this practice by purchasing cat-friendly items, such as cat shelves, which often include stairs to help your cat reach higher places.

Cat trees are a fantastic way to help mimic the feeling of being ‘high up’ in nature. The advantage of cat trees is that they have multiple levels and crawl spaces where cats can hide, lounge, sleep, or even play with toys attached to the structure! Thus, your cat’s attention is consistently stimulated, with different physical options to enjoy.

For the cat that loves staring out windows (don’t they all!), cat window perches are a great way to give your furry friend a comfortable place to sit or sleep, as they calmly observe the world hurry by!

Remember: Manufactured ‘elevated’ spots may be difficult or even hazardous for elderly or mobility-impaired cats to navigate. Be cautious of letting cats climb to higher places if they are not physically able to do so safely. To better assist these cats, consider purchasing cat stairs to make their passage easier and safer.

Final Thoughts

Cats are instinctively drawn to high places. This is due to their preference for the safety and security of elevated natural locations, as well as the observational advantage of being above ground for hunting prey and hiding from potential predators.

Because cats naturally have higher body temperatures, they gravitate to higher places to access warmer air, ensuring they are physically comfortable in whatever environment they are in.

Cats highly prefer quiet over noise, which further explains why they seek out spots above ground level.

As territorial animals, cats often position themselves in elevated areas to ‘claim’ the territory as their own and to keep other animals out.

You can help your pet cat connect with their natural love for higher places by investing in products such as cat shelves, cat trees, cat window perches, or even cat stairs!