Why do Cats Climb Trees?
Cats climb for a variety of reasons. Curiosity, fear and exploration all play a role in these behaviors. The hunting instinct and the quest for food also can motivate a feline to seek a higher perch.Surveying the TerritoryCats are territorial. Elevated positions–such as trees outside or counter tops and bookshelves inside the home–provide a vantage point to monitor what is going on in the animal’s surroundings.StalkingHeight gives cats an advantageous position from which to pounce on prey. Small animals that scurry around at ground level are unlikely to see the cat surveying them from above until the feline is already descending on them.HidingWhen cats are frightened or feeling vulnerable, a higher position removes them from the presence of threats at ground level, such as larger animals or the vacuum cleaner.Trolling for FoodIn an indoor environment, cats may climb on counter tops and tables because they know these are places where food is sometimes available.Christmas TreesEven a c
