HOW TO CHOOSE A CAT WINDOW PERCH:
There are many variables in your home environment to consider when purchasing new things for your pets. Your cat’s temperament, size, and habits will also play an important role in picking a good product. Do you have more than one cat? Some window perches are not strong enough to hold more than one cat at a time. Even if you have multiple cats and they tend to sleep by themselves, a window perch may prove so popular that it will need to support more than one.
Keep in mind the needs of your kitty as well. If you have an older cat or a less mobile kitty you may want to consider a perch that is easy to access. Some owners will add “steps” to or near a perch so a cat will not need to jump very far. Many suction cup and cable style perches utilize cables that suspend the perch from suction cups stuck to the window and cats whose vision is not what it used to be may become entangled. And the stability of the perch is critical for a cat’s safety. The perch should be firmly anchored and not wobble, fall down or otherwise move much. While a weight rating may be for continuous weight of a cat sitting on a perch, remember that the sudden movements of a cat leaping off of it or onto it will temporarily and quite suddenly exert more force and weight onto the perch. It’s a good idea to test out any perch at home before you allow your cat to utilize it and to ensure it will work properly.
We love all the options out there for pet parents. Suction cup styles allow for a perch to be set up and taken down easily, although they may not work as well in colder temperatures when the glass gets cold. The ledge style perches allow a pet parent to set up a secure and sturdy option for multiple cats, or cats who may need more support. Some of the ledge style perches are even heated, for the last word in sunbathing luxury on cold winter days.
To help you research what will work for you, we’ve divided the top selling cat perches into the categories below.
Suction cup style: This style uses a suction cup and wire structure to hold the perch in one place. They typically do not rest on anything else for support.
- Suction cups suspend from the window and typically also on the ledge itself
- Temperature extremes such as cold weather may weaken the grip of suction cups
- Some cats may not like the wobbling of a suction cup suspended ledge when they jump up and down
Ledge style: A flat ledge that can attach to existing windowsill using velcro or bolt to the wall
- May require installation/modification of the wall
- Many will need to be reinforced with screws or hardware
Finding a great cat perch that is safe and works well for your furry family member will give him hours of entertainment and provide a great place to take naps, soaking up the sunshine.