Many cats spend a decent amount of time judging people from afar, whether that’s from on top of cabinets or from their beds. However, you may have noticed that they also take to the windows to potentially judge strangers in the street. Although, there may be other reasons why your feline friend likes to settle down by a window.
Whether you’re a curious cat owner or intimidated by a neighbor’s cat, we’re here to answer ‘why do cats look out of the window?’. Read on to find out what compels felines to perch day and night in their favorite window.
Why do Cats Like Looking Out of the Window?
Cats can be aloof and independent and, despite what some may think, they may not sit in places to solely judge passers-by. Instead, there are a few reasons why cats love to look out the window which is all detailed below.
Temperature
On a hot day, a cracked window may provide a cooling breeze to help your cat cool down a notch. Similarly, indoor cats enjoy basking in the warmth of the sun during the colder months. If you notice that your cat sitting in a window that gets more sunlight, they are likely enjoying the heat of the sunshine.
It’s also common to find your cat licking the surface of the window as the cool glass can help cool them down. Other times the condensation caught on the glass acts as a feeble water source.
Entertainment
In some cases, when a cat stares out of the window they’re being entertained aptly by the outside world. After all, it’s not like they can simply work the remote and watch tv while you’re out. Instead, your cat may be enjoying the sway of trees and bushes in the wind or the activities of neighborhood animals such as squirrels and birds.
If your cat seems to look out the window for entertainment purposes there are things you can do to enhance their experience. For example, if they enjoy watching birds, try placing a bird feeder in some trees visible from the window. In addition to this, on warmer days keep an open window (only slightly to avoid a jailbreak), this will allow smells and sounds to filter in which will enrich your cat further.
People/Cat Watching
If your house is particularly busy, your cat might be used to looking out the window to inspect who is coming and going out of the home. If this is the case they may react to car doors closing, footsteps, or simply, another cat passing by from outside.
In addition to this, cats that are affectionate may also sit in windows waiting for a family member that works shifts to return home. Either way, sitting in the window can become part of your cat’s routine and is essentially harmless behavior.
Sometimes cats stare out of the window to stand guard if they’ve caught a glimpse of a suspicious-looking dog. They can even become watchful of other cats they’ve seen prowling the neighborhood.
Nighttime Watching
Some owners note that their cat enjoys looking out the window at night as opposed to during the morning or afternoon. A lot of cats enjoy watching the world outside regardless of the time of day as a harmless habit.
Cats can see well in pitch darkness and will often catch sight of other animals during the night such as owls or foxes that won’t be seen during the day. Other insects may also be visible at night which will appeal to your cat’s curiosity.
If your cat enjoys watching the nightlife thrive, it may be worth leaving an outdoor light on for better visibility. The outdoor lights may also attract insects that your cat hasn’t seen in the light of day before such as moths.
Meowing
When inspecting the outside from the window or guarding the house, some cats may start talking or chirping. These simple noises are often used to communicate with their owners or perhaps another pet.
Usually, vocalization is to get your attention however if your cat is making pained meows or yowling sounds it’s worth seeking some advice.
Other Speculations
Cats who are yet to be spayed or neutered may be on the lookout for a potential mating partner. Your feline companion will have ways of signaling that they are seeking a partner. For example, a female cat who enters heat may begin to yowl in an attempt to lure over males. This can often result in a male cat break-in. Comparably, unneutered male cats may become aggressive in their search for a partner.
Usually, when cats are in heat they will try to find ways of getting out so it’s important to keep windows and doors shut, regardless of whether or not you have a door or window screen to block the exit.
Getting your cat fixed is a simple way of eliminating this behavior and it also prevents them from contracting a disease or the attention of aggressive stray cats.
Keeping Your Cat Happy
As mentioned previously cats, like dogs and people, can get bored. Depending on their nature this can often lead to lethargy or destructive tendencies. As a way to combat boredom, many domesticated cats will perch themselves on a window sill to observe the outside world for several hours. Fortunately, there are plenty of things cat owners can do to help kill the boredom or simply enhance their window watching experience. Providing your cat with electronic/interactive toys or more cat furniture is a great way to support them and keep them happy and content.
Window Perch
If your cat is a fan of sitting in the window, take a look at our best cat window perches so that they can watch the world go by in comfort. This may be a great feature if you have a less active senior cat that likes to spend hours watching the outside goings-on.
Cat Tree
Place a cat tree near the window as an added comfort. This will not only provide cats with somewhere to stretch out and relax as they’re looking out the window, but a lot of cat trees come with scratching posts and toys attached to add a little extra entertainment on quiet days.
Other Useful Ideas For Cats Who Crave The Outdoors
Cat Leash
Some owners have trained their cats to walk on a leash so that they can accompany their humans outside. This is a great way for cats to experience the environment on the other side of the window and to feel the grass beneath their paws. Not to mention it’s a great way for indoor cats to get more exercise.
Cat Backpack
If your cat loves to observe the wilderness but doesn’t necessarily want to get tangled in it, a cat backpack may be a great tool for you to contemplate. Most come equipped with a large window for them to stare out of whilst you go for a walk or explore nature.
If this is something that you want to consider and want some help choosing a cat backpack, take a look at our helpful guide detailing the best backpacks for 2022.
Safe Outdoor Space
If your indoor cat seems to crave the great outdoors and wants to engage its natural instincts more, you can install a sizeable hutch outside for your cat to enjoy. Some cat owners have attached them to windows so that can mosey inside and out as they please.
Conclusion – Why do Cats Like Windows?
Whether your cat’s looking out the window at night after their evening meal or first thing in the morning it can be a big part of their daily routine. No one really knows what goes on in a cat’s mind but we can safely summarize that different cats love windows for varying reasons.
Some like to keep watch of the neighborhood if they’ve seen dogs or another cat hanging around suspiciously. Whereas other cats love to watch birds, trees, or other wildlife to keep them entertained.