Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Does My Cat Look Out the Window All Day? 5 Reasons & Care Tips

ginger cat looking at the window

Does your cat love their window seat? Many cats spend most of their days hanging out by a window to see what’s happening. You might not understand the allure, but you have a fluffy predator on your hands, and it’s time to figure out why they do this.

You might notice your cats congregating to check out the flock of birds feasting in the early morning or curled up enjoying the sunshine. Your cat loves windows for multiple reasons, which are valid and understandable. But let’s talk specifics.

divider cats oct 2024

The 5 Reasons Cats Look Out the Window

There’s no secret to this. Your cats look out windows for the same reasons you might think—free entertainment and cozy napping.

1. Warmth

With the beautiful way the warm sunshine comes pouring in the window, it’s no surprise cats love basking in these rays. Your cat will love getting warm and cozy in their favorite window sitting spot.

It’s their very own nature-made heating blanket. If you have a cat that gravitates towards warm, snuggly areas, it’s probably a guarantee that they are using the window to get toasty. And it’s quite a view as well.

Tortoiseshell cat looking out of the window
Image Credit: Michaela Filipcikova, Unsplash

2. Reflection

Just who is that cat on the other side of the window? Your cat might not be able to quite figure it out.

Sometimes cats get really jazzed up to see their own reflection. The curiosity factor takes over, being uncertain as to what is an elusive cat they can see but not touch. If you notice your cat curiously moving around the window, trying to get something that seems quite elusive, it could just be themselves.


3. Prey-Gazing

Birds, squirrels, and chipmunks, oh my! Your cat has an entire buffet to stare at when they look out the window. It doesn’t matter where you live; they can see flying insects and other wildlife flying around.

You might think it is adorable that they’re watching the squirrel outside. After all, you probably think they want to make friends. The reality is your cat is a natural predator, no matter how incapable they might actually be when it comes to hunting.

Some cats might even chatter and make other vocalizations when noticing these critters. Some cats have a higher prey drive than others. The more docile cats might just enjoy the view without getting too overly invested in what they see.

Other cats show extreme interest and borderline obsession.

Gray cat looking out the window
Image By: chen, Unsplash

4. Entertainment

It doesn’t matter what your cat is looking at out of your window; all of the sites are entertaining for them.

It’s an entirely separate world they wish they could explore, much like us watching a safari documentary or other part of nature that we don’t get to experience in our environment.


5. Longing

One thing we feel is all too overlooked when it comes to our domesticated cats is their instinctual needs. Some cats have a much stronger desire to be outdoors, and sometimes, looking outdoors can be a natural desire because, keep in mind, being outdoors is as instinctual to your cat as anything.

divider cats oct 2024

How to Enhance Your Cat’s Window Time

No matter the reason your cat prefers to look outside, you should encourage them to get this type of stimulation.

Your cat getting fresh air is not the worst idea in the world. After all, these natural creatures enjoy their original environment just like we enjoy a good hike in the woods.

If you live in an area where you can’t allow your cat outside access, that doesn’t mean you can’t encourage window time. One of the options is to ask a veterinarian how to enrich your cat’s environment.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

Cat Hammocks

Companies that make cozy cat furniture know just what they like. There are many options for your cat to be propped up, all nice and comfortable in their favorite window.

The ultimate design you choose will depend on your preference, window strength, and aesthetic goals. Some cat hammocks can hang off the window’s frame, while others suction to the window itself.

Abyssinian cat close-up on hammock in the house
Image Credit: Natalia Tretiakova, Shutterstock

Window Cages

If you want to really go the extra mile for your cat, there are tons of pre-manufactured and DIY options available for cat window cages. These cages prevent your cat from escaping into the great outdoors while allowing them to get some fresh air.

If you think you have a window that is compatible with a design, you can look at options to extend your window space and give your cat the luxury of that freedom.

You can typically buy window hangers pre-manufactured on sites like Amazon or scour Pinterest for a DIY you can build today.

Teach Your Cat to Walk on a Leash

Teaching a cat to walk on a leash might be pretty tricky. But with a little patience and perseverance, your cat might be able to perform this action and enjoy the great outdoors safely with human companions.

Companies make cat-specific harnesses and leashes to securely control your cat without them getting away. Proper sizing and set are crucial elements when you are purchasing a harness. The last thing you want is for your cat to escape you at an opportunistic moment.

Black tabby Maine Coon with harness
Image Credit: DenisNata, Shutterstock

divider cats oct 2024

Protecting Houseplants, Décor, Curtains, & Blinds

You might be getting a little bit aggravated with your tiny wild cats. After all, cats hanging out in the window can equal trouble, depending on what they will knock over to get there.

You might need adjustments if you have breakables or expensive blinds and curtains in your window. Choose a window spot in the house to attract your cats where you want them to be.

You can create a cozy spot for them to hang out, attract them with cat grass or catnip, or start putting their favorite treats by the windowsill. That way, your cat will naturally want to sit by a specific window, leaving your potential goodies alone in the meantime.

If your cat feels ownership of a specific window, especially one they favor, you can reduce trouble for other items. Restricting access might be in the cards, too, if your feline is particularly stubborn.

cat sitting near window
Image Credit: alekuwka, Shutterstock

divider cats oct 2024

Conclusion

Most cats will enjoy looking out the window despite your best efforts to prevent them from doing so. They enjoy seeing what goes on out there, and some probably wish they could join in on the sun and fun.

If you live in a spot where your cat can’t roam outside, you can take the tips we offer in this article to enhance their window-sitting experience.


Featured Image Credit: Konstantin Aksenov, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How to Keep Cats From Breaking Blinds: 4 Useful Tips & Alternatives

Cats are wonderful parts of our lives, and they bring us so much joy and fun. However, they can also be destructive, unintentionally...

Cat peeking outside

Why Is My Cat Scratching at the Window? 5 Reasons & How To Stop Them

A cat scratching the window can be irritating, especially if it happens constantly during the day or at night when you are trying...

Black and white cat pawing at the window

10 Free DIY PVC Cat Furniture Ideas You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Cat furniture is an essential part of owning a cat, but it is certainly not cheap, especially if you have multiple cats. Cats...

cat sleeping on its condo

Are Heat Lamps Safe for Cats? Vet-Verified Safety Facts, Tips & Alternatives

It’s no secret that our cats gravitate toward warmth. Most cats love to nap in a cozy, snuggly spot, whether on your laptop,...

cat resting in the couch

More related

cat resting in the couch

Are Heat Lamps Safe for Cats? Vet-Verified Safety Facts, Tips & Alternatives

It’s no secret that our cats gravitate toward warmth. Most cats love to nap in a cozy, snuggly spot, whether on your laptop,...

orange cat beside litter box

Why Does My Cat Kick Litter Out of the Box? 5 Common Reasons

Cat owners the world over are familiar with that awful feeling of stepping barefoot on small litter pebbles, which is usually followed by...

cat and bird

Why Do Cats Chatter at Birds? 5 Possible Reasons & FAQ

Cats are vocally gifted and can produce up to 21 distinct vocalizations.1 Although cat owners are accustomed to their pets meowing, they may...

white cat chirping

Is It True That All Cats Chirp? 5 Reasons Why They Do It

Cats use various vocalizations to communicate with us, and one of these vocalizations is the cute chirping sound you become accustomed to hearing...

Keep reading

Why Are Cats Weird About Water? 5 Reasons Why Their Behavior Is Strange

Cats seem to have a complicated relationship with water. They may hate getting baths, but they’ll still have fun playing with water running from the faucet. Some cat breeds are even known to enjoy swimming. While we don’t know exactly...

blue tabby maine coon cat playing with water coming out of a garden sprinkler

Why Do Cats Knock Things Over? 3 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats are curious animals. They can be cute and cuddly one minute, then start knocking things over the next. They might even break belongings that are difficult or impossible to replace! We put up with these antics because we love...

A Thai cat playing with a white mug

How Many Litter Boxes Per Cat Should I Have In My Home? Vet-Approved Info & Tips

Cats that live in the same home often adjust to sharing things, from toys and water bowls to beds and the favorite spot on the couch. The one thing that cats are sometimes unwilling to share, however, is litter boxes,...

tabby cat standing behind two cat litter boxes with clay and organic cat litter

Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water From Their Bowl? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water. You also may notice that your cat prefers to drink from other locations than the bowl of fresh water that you provide every day. The bowl may be fresh, but that stale...

young cat staring at the bowl

How Many Hours a Day Do Cats Groom? Vet-Reviewed Behavior Explained

Imagine spending half of your waking hours in the shower every single day. While that might seem exceedingly boring and tedious to us, cats spend approximately 2–5 hours grooming themselves every day, which is between 30% and 50% of their...

bengal cat grooming itself

Are Pepper Plants Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

If you’re a cat owner, you may be wondering if pepper plants are poisonous to cats. It’s always best to make sure any plant around your home is safe for your cat, especially if your feline likes to roam in...

Catster_Are Pepper Plants Poisonous to Cats

10 Best Limited Ingredient Cat Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Choosing the right cat food can be pretty daunting, especially if your loved one has allergies or sensitivities to particular ingredients. Fortunately, there are special formulas available for your feline friend known as limited-ingredient cat foods. They have small ingredient...

feline cat eating on a metal bowl

Do Feral Cats Know How to Purr? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Hearing your cat purr is usually a sign you’re doing something right. Whether they have a full belly and are thanking you, or they are simply enjoying the affection you’re providing, their contentment is heartwarming. But have you ever wondered...

Stray cats eating on the street