It's not news to readers of this blog that Franklin enjoys climbing and jumping up onto high places and surveying the world beneath him (see below for a throwback picture of baby Fran sitting on the top shelf in our old closet in Hollywood). But why does he feel the need to be up so high, and then settle in and nap in these hard to reach places?
Left: Franklin in October 2023; Right: Franklin in October 2024
The veterinary website for Killeen Vet Clinic reports that animal experts observed cats preferring to "sleep and hang out in places with good vantage points." Despite the home being a safe place, it is part of their instinct to protect themselves, and high up places like a closet shelf or atop the fridge gives cats "an aerial advantage for spotting any potential dangers around them."
According to The Washington Post, this "survival instinct" has been passed down through generations as cats used to hunt and be hunted. The high vantage points were both used to stalk prey and to be protected from predators stalking them. So, even though most cats have their "meals {getting} delivered in a dish," it is simply instinct that takes our kitties up high above our heads, and not because they think they're better than us humans and like to look down on us.
It also gives them the safe feeling of being hidden away, which makes them comfortable enough to sleep. Again, even though they are perfectly safe in our homes, it still instinctually makes our fur babies feel better to take their cat naps up high and in small, hidden away places. This way, they only have to worry about what is in front of them, as their sides and backside are protected.
Thank you all for following along and reading about Franklin and all of his adventures with me, John, and big brother Kap! You can receive email updates for blog postings by filling out the form at the bottom of the page, and you can follow Franklin on Instagram for daily pictures and videos of our little family. :)
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