Window perch

A window perch is a platform that fixes to a window frame, sill or wall at a good viewing height. Designs include suction-cup hammocks, bracket-mounted shelves, and padded boards that slide onto a sill. For many indoor cats, watching birds, passers-by and weather is a major form of entertainment, and a comfortable spot to do it often replaces the worst sofa or curtains.

Check the weight limit and fixing method before use, because suction cups can fail on dirty glass or with a heavy cat. Clean the glass, test the perch before the cat uses it, and check it often. Make sure the window is secure and cannot be pushed open by a cat, and use a strong screen or fixed grille if the window will be open. Falls from high windows are a recognised cause of injury, often called high-rise syndrome.

Put the perch where the cat already sits, and add a blanket for warmth. Cats in direct summer sun can overheat, so offer shade. Bird feeders placed outside the window can add interest, but do not overlook the cat's frustration if it cannot reach what it sees. A cat tree by the window gives a similar view with more climbing.