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Increase Your Cat’s Vertical Territory

Your cat could actually be enjoying more territory than she has right now and it wouldn’t involve letting her outdoors or having to add onto your home. To increase your cat’s space simply involves the addition of vertical territory.

The High Life for Your Cat

We live in a horizontal world but cats live in a vertical world. Look around your house and I’ll bet you can point to various elevated locations where your cat likes to hang out. It might be the top of the refrigerator or maybe on top of a bookcase or tall dresser. There are several reasons why a cat chooses those locations. The higher up she is the more visual advantage she has. She can easily see anyone approaching. If you live in a multicat environment, this can play a big part in easing tension because a more timid cat has adequate warning of a potential opponent entering the room. Another benefit to vertical space is that a more assertive cat can “claim” the highest spot as a show of her status. This can often reduce any actual physical confrontation two cats might have.


Vertical territory offers your cat an opportunity to climb and get a little exercise as well. Playing up and down a cat tree is good for those feline muscles.

The ability to hang out in a cat tree or window perch and watch the bird activity outdoors is the feline version of reality television.

So Many Options for Your Cat’s Territory

Vertical territory can come in many forms. A multi-perched cat tree is a great choice because it offers the cat a chance to climb up and down. The support posts of the tree can double as scratching posts if they’re covered in a rough material such as sisal. If you have more than one cat, a multi-perched tree can allow them to share a relatively close space and still maintain their status.

When shopping for a cat tree, look for one that’s tall and sturdy. The higher the tree, the wider and heavier the base needs to be to prevent the tree from toppling over when a cat makes a flying leap from the ground to a top perch.

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