SoPurrfect Why Cats Want To Sit Up High

Why Cats Want To Sit Up High

Cats can be haughty, high and mighty animals: we all know that! But have you ever noticed that they have a preference for sitting up high? Give your cat a choice between perching on the table and laying low on their cat basket and they may often choose the table simply because it is higher, ignoring the soft coziness of their tempting bed. Have you every wondered just why cats want to sit up high? Well, here is your answer!
Well, actually there are a few possible answers…

 

Cats like to see what is going on

Being high up enables cats to survey their territory (including any annoyingly energetic pet dogs and, of course, their devoted human servants) with the utmost ease. Let’s face it, this is a good instinct to have out in the wild: being up high on a branch lets a cat see everything from the mice scurrying around beneath them to rival predators who might pose a threat to their patch.

 

It helps cats to feel safe

Toddlers, other pets (like dogs or bigger cats) and vacuum cleaners can all make cats feel anxious and in need of some respite. What these things have in common is that they are all relatively low down, close to the floor. So, an anxious cat is usually likely to seek a high point where they can get away from these perceived threats or stressors.

 

It gives them a highers status

It’s common in the human world too. The queen or king, or similar leader is perched high up on a throne whilst their subjects grovel below. For cats, being physically higher than other animals in the home helps them to feel important and in charge. So, if you have several cats you might sometimes witness them all attempting to find a higher vantage point than the others. It can be pretty funny if you see them doing this!

 

High up places tend to be warmer.

Cats love nothing so much as a lovely warm spot to snuggle up in. The top of a refrigerator is a prime example of this, as is the top of your computer stack if you have an old school style desktop computer. So do not be surprised if you see your kitty clambering up to the top of the refrigerator and giving you a fright at 3am when you trudge downstairs to grab some midnight cheesecake. Cold air tends to sink, too, whilst hot air rises, so as a rule cats will be a little warmer sleeping higher up than they would be if they just stretched out on the carpet.

Or maybe, just maybe…

Cats are constantly looking for the perfect vantage point from which to jump down on their owners’ heads when they are least expecting it.

Does your kitty like to be high up?

Help them out by placing their bedding in an elevated spot. Cats love unused drawers or even snuggly shelves. You can also purchase special cat beds that are on a raised platform – kind of like bunk beds for felines.

 

Meow for now… Kristian Taylor

 

Image Source

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This