What's the deal with cats and windows? [photo essay]

MNN ^ | 8/26/14

[Slings and Arrows]

Cats possess many odd quirks and habits, but one of their most endearing qualities is their love of windows. It seems like once they find a good window perch, they won't leave for hours! Why is that?

 

The feline affinity for windows can be attributed to many factors. Cats are curious observers, and let's face it, the strange outside world is probably a lot more interesting than the interior of a house. After all, why would a cat want to observe his or her human sitting around doing absolutely nothing (e.g. melting into a couch and gluing their eyes to the television) when there's an exciting world of birds, bugs and squirrels just beyond the windowsill?

 

Another major reason these exquisite creatures gravitate towards windows is because they're a great source of warm sunlight during the day. Ever notice how a cat will seek out a patch of sunlight on the floor and flop down to sunbathe? This is because the domestic kitties of today are descended from wild desert cats that passed down their impressive heat tolerance, high metabolism and, in some breeds, their light, short-haired coats. They're hard-wired to bask in warm environments.

 

Whatever the reason, having a window available to perch in is a vital component of a happy, healthy indoor kitty.

 

In honor of the window-loving, sunbathing kitties everywhere, enjoy these adorable photos of indoor (and outdoor) cats lounging around in windows.

[kalee]

Bttt

[TheOldLady]

Our second-ever cat, Mad Man Muffin, used to chitter at the birds all
the time. Our house had huge, sliding glass doors in the bedrooms and
convenient balconies outside of them where the birds gathered.

One day, a Great Heron landed on our bedroom balcony. Muffin melted
into the bed covers, oozed down the side, and hid beneath the bed until
the enormous bird took off again. He knew he’d met his match.

Our home (we lived in Southern California at the time) was in the path
of the migratory birds and near a bird sanctuary as well. We became
pretty good at recognizing the birds after about 10 years and three bird
books on how to identify birds before we moved East.

Rufus-sided Towhee was one of my favorites, and Brown Towhees, too.
And Scrub Jays are really pretty, but very demanding. As soon as I got
up in the morning, they’d start begging for their breakfast and threatening
to eat our goldfish in the pond. Pushy buggers.

[freekitty]

Window to the world. My cat sits in his big window everyday. He gets his sun there too.

[Slings and Arrows]

Poor brave kitty!

[Fawn]

[Slings and Arrows]

Awwww!

[Brother Cracker]

[Slings and Arrows]

Cats think that the Law of Gravity is more of a guideline.