In case you’ve never had the privilege of meeting one before, cats tend toward the cagey, somewhat neurotic side. Their characteristic lack of chill around anything and anyone remotely suspicious is part of the quirkiness we love so much. They’re relatable; who doesn’t have days where they’d rather sit on top of a refrigerator than be around people?
Obviously, not every feline can be tarred with the same brush. That being said, much of a cat’s behaviour boils down to instinct. In the wild, their ancestors were both predator and prey. You’d find them occupying treetops and hidden nooks, shielded from large birds while enjoying the visual vantage points that help make them great hunters.
The benefits of a defensible high ground are definitely not limited to the wild. In a world where kids and other pets run rampant, higher ground is an indispensable asset. Having designated vertical spaces for your cat is an important step toward helping them feel secure and mentally stimulated while decreasing stress. It’s also a nifty way to increase the square footage they can explore in smaller homes, which is a boon to anyone stuck in the same space day after day. Also, climbing is fun!
We would be remiss if we did not state the most obvious reason cats covet lofty perches: their utmost superiority. If you have more than one cat, you’ll find the felines bicker over the highest resting place with seemingly unnecessary passion. In the world of cats, whoever is closest to the sky is dominant, and there isn’t a cat in the world who won’t take every opportunity to remind those around them about what a remarkable blessing it is to be in their presence.
This may be a natural aspect of cat behaviour, but most of us do prefer our homes to be peaceful retreats rather than eternal battlegrounds for dominance and dominion of shelf space. Ensuring you have a high place for each cat in your home helps them get along better. A tall refrigerator, high shelves, or climbing trees and towers are easy fixes that provide varied climbing options. As long as these surfaces are free of any hazards, strategically placed shelves and tall furniture can keep your friend sufficiently busy exploring.
Windowsills are also fantastic perches as long as they’re safe and securely closed – nobody wants their cat slipping off a high-rise. If you place a bird feeder just outside the window, the birds will keep your cat so entertained you may never get their attention again, so proceed accordingly.
Our feline critters are versatile creatures. While we may never completely understand them, your efforts to get to know them as best you can and provide maximum care and enjoyment will be appreciated and take your relationship to new heights – even if they’ll never show it.