Why cats prefer high places?

If your cat is like most, you often find him perched atop the refrigerator, wardrobe or other lofty places. He may be fully domesticated, but your feline’s affinity for heights stems from his natural instincts. Climbing, prowling and even napping in high places gives your cat an advantage over his surroundings, providing him with a vantage point from which he can spot predators as well as prey.
 
Unlike humans, who like to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, cats prefer viewing their surroundings from up high. This allows them to scan for predators— or rowdy children or dogs, as the case may be— and ensures they won’t be disturbed. Providing enough vertical spaces is important, then, to helping your cat feel safe and secure at home. In multi-cat households, having varying vertical spaces also allows your cats to display their social status without leading to feline frays. The cat occupying tallest space also holds the highest spot in the pecking order, meaning your pets don’t need to duke it out to display their rank. Another benefit to providing cats with vertical territory is that it may help remedy boredom that is common in housecats. Although indoor felines are safer than their outdoor peers, they are far more likely to become bored and get up to mischief. Vertical perches give your pet a place to explore, battling both boredom and weight-gain that are endemic in housecats. Finally, cats may simply prefer being up high because it puts them in some of the warmest spots in the house, making the top of the fridge an especially appealing spot for an afternoon nap. You can accommodate your cat’s acrobatic antics by providing vertical spaces such as a cat tree, but there’s no need to spend a load of cash satisfying Kitty’s need to climb. Household furniture such as the tops of refrigerators, bookshelves, and wardrobes can be made cat-accessible by keeping a few things in mind. Shelves should be large enough for your cat to stretch out and lounge on, for example, and need to have a non-slip surface. Make sure you provide enough surfaces at various vertical heights, especially if you have an elderly cat that struggles with agility. Perches with a good view out the window will prove especially enticing for your cat, as windows provide both entertainment and warmth. If you do own a cat tree and it seems unstable, secure it by attaching a large piece of plywood at the base to ensure your cat feels safe exploring the heights in your home.