5 Ways to Give Your Cat Vertical Space

Giving your cat vertical spaces can provide your cat with enrichment.

I will share five ways we’ve given our cats more vertical space. As new cat owners, we didn’t think much about vertical space.

When we went from having only three cats to six cats, the vet suggested adding vertical spaces to give the cats more space and territory. We currently have seven indoor cats, which is NOT too many cats for us.

I also made a video overview with the five ways that will be detailed below.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and then make a purchase, Heidi (the writer behind The Joy of Cats) will receive a commission.

1. Cat Window Seats and Beds

Cat window seats will give your cats an additional spot for sitting. And most cats are happy to look out the window.

You can place cat beds in a bay window or get a window seat that attaches to a windowsill. Some beds use suction to stick to a window, but I don’t trust them (no matter how many reviews I read of them working out!).

You can read about my favorite cat window seat here.

2. Cat Towers or Trees

Cat towers can give your cat a perch to sit on to overlook you and their world. Some cats love to be up high.

A cat tower will also be a space just for the cats, as it’s unlikely that a human would sit on a cat tower.

In our living room, we moved a small couch to another room so that we could have a wall of cat towers. And we have four other cat towers in the same room, giving them plenty of options.

Related: Go Pet Club Cat Tree vs Frisco Cat Tree (72 in) Review

3. Cat Shelves

Several years ago, we added shelves for the cats into one of our extra bedrooms. Some of the cats use the shelves every day. There is a walkway that goes all around the room.

We decided to build our shelves and use carpet to cover the shelves. My husband did most of the work. Please read through my DIY Cat Shelves Tips.

There are also many premade cat shelves that look great on Amazon and Chewy. I haven’t used any of them myself, so I don’t have any specific recommendations. Some of them look very nice! Premade shelves will need to be installed safely and correctly!

4. Back of the Door Climber

For many years (since October 2014), we’ve had a 4-shelf climber on the back of a door in a hallway. Which cat sits on it the most seems to rotate. We’ve had it long enough that we’ve had to replace some of the carpet on it.

There have been times when my husband and I have bumped into it. It may have been safer to put it on a door, not in the hallway. But it’s been okay enough, and the cats can sit on it and watch us when we are on the couch.

Amazon no longer sells the model that we have! So, I’ve listed some newer models below.

5. Furniture You Already Have

Cats like to sit on things. If you keep your tables, storage units, bookcases, top of a desk, etc., clear of clutter, your cat can use it as a resting place.

And if you already have the furniture, this option is free! You will need to keep a space clear for the cat. And I’m sure your cat would like it if they could see out the window.

We have a bookshelf where the top shelf is just below a window. So, we put a cat bed there, and a cat sleeps there occasionally.

Cat Vertical Space Summary

Providing a cat with vertical spaces can be done in various ways. Cat window seats and trees are popular options.

Other options include cat shelves and walkways, back-of-the-door climbers, and making space for the cat on furniture you already have.

Adding more vertical spaces to your home gives your cats more territory and choices, which may lead to happier cats.