Why do cats like sitting in a window but don't like going outside?

Question

My cats always like sitting in the window. They may jump at any sound outside but when they are inside you just can't scare them by banging on the window when they are sleeping. They just look at you, think "Go away!", and go back to sleep.

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

when they are inside the house, they're already familiar with most sounds going on, and they're also very aware as well as comfortable... their senses are quite sharp, I have noticed the older of my cats raise her ear just a little bit but won't get up from her nap when she hears someone at the door and if it is someone familiar, she'll know it is someone she knows

but every time a stranger shows up on the door, she will also know and raise more than an ear... lol, she will want to know who is that unfamiliar individual

so, when they are by the windows, all of their senses are hyper aware at all of those less familiar factors from the outside, they're more guarded too and chances are that they can also sense a whole lot more things going on than we as humans would be able to see or notice, for examples my cats do turn to either side of the streets or sidewalks... way before a bird or neighbors pets show up on the front of our house

basically... they are on higher alert, or not...

quick reactions like those are what saved their lives through the centuries

NamerOfStars · Accepted Answer

Because of the ecological niche they occupy: cats are predators, but they're also prey animals. They'll show behaviors of both- closely watching for potential food sources, while always being alert to things that see THEM as food. So they don't casually put themselves in danger.

DarkCarousel · Accepted Answer

My cat shows curiosity about going outside. I’ll hold him and take him outside for a few minutes and I can feel his heart racing and I can tell he enjoys the sounds of nature. He never show interest in getting down. Eventually I take him back inside and he’s quite content. He’s been an inside cat his whole life so that might have something to do with it.

My best friend has a cat that will literally sit by the door when he wants to go out, much like a dog would. Then he meows at the door when he’s ready to come back in. He spends hours outside though. Very different than my cat.

I think it probably just depends on the cat.

sheenagwapa · Accepted Answer

good for you you own the cats who do that to you.. i have a cat who sleep in my house i don't own him but i now call him Anony he just sleep comfortably and then look at me then goes back to sleep. cats are bossy

Sparkie460 · Answer

If they are raised as an indoor cat they don't like going outside. I've had cats all my life. I have never let them outside. They never try to go out. The house is their domain. They're completely comfortable inside. They just like to watch what is going on outside.

I currently have 3 cats. It looks like you do too. I

AviatorTom · Answer

Cats are smart. Sitting in a window is safe from predators, yet they can still see everything going on outside. If they go outside, they might be attacked by predators or get locked out and have to fend for themselves. Like I said, cats are smart.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

I’ve had outdoor cats that preferred it. They were skittish about coming into the house. I’ve had two indoor cats that clearly disagreed with that designation. Ell oh ell! They were always trying to get outside. I’ve also had house cats that behaved similarly to what you’re describing. It’s probably just a comfort zone thing. Cats are in the middle of the food chain. If they don’t know their surroundings completely, they’ll be hyper vigilant so as to not become a meal for something else.

The_Shadow_Dweller · Answer

The windows provide them with the warm natural temperature they prefer, but at the same time give them the security of not getting exposed to other animals.

My cats also sit on the doormat. But only when I am with them. They sleep soundly for abut half an hour on the doormat and the compound wall.

SnowedIn · Answer

Mine love watching what's outside. They just don't like DOING anything outside. lmao. Yapping at the birds and squirrels like they'd really challenge them to a fight.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

It's cold outside but the window shows sunlight and beauty and protection from predators.

Smoothing · Answer

Cats have an attitude issue. They look down on humans. That is why they don't scare easily. No matter how small of a cat they may be

Date_a_Snob · Answer

I nearly mistaked the picture of your three cats for raccoons when I first read your question

OddBeMe · Answer

Why do humans hate working but go home and watch reality shows…of people working?  Ice road truckers Cooking shows Undercover boss That’s all I know.

dustybiker · Answer

It’s like having your cake and eating it too. They are smarter than us. They figured it out.

Anonymous · Answer

Cats are very keen observers of new items in their environment. For housecats outside world is a huge mystery and they are very curious creatures in nature.

collie22 · Answer

Wow how many cats do you have? I guess if a cat is raised going out when it's little then it will end going out

nawtee_me · Answer

Mine are outside cats and they sit in the window and look inside...

Anonymous · Answer

They tend to like watching from an upper observant position and watching the world go by.

Akam93 · Answer

My cat cheddar will scream if he gets outside my other cat Harley loves the outside.

msc545 · Answer

Mine enjoy the warmth of the sun and like to watch birds through the window.

Anonymous · Answer

Curiosity and the love of nature.

Luopio27 · Answer

They work for CIA.

Twalli · Answer

sunbeams

Why do cats like sitting in a window but don't like going outside?

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Why do cats like sitting in a window but don't like going outside?

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