If your cat consistently chooses the top of a fridge, a bookshelf or a windowsill over their actual bed, instinct is probably driving the decision.
Bernstein said cats often seek elevated sleeping spots “for safety” because height gives them “a good vantage point” over their surroundings.
Stock image: a cat sleeps on top of a fridge. | Getty Images/Larisa Stefanuyk
Sleeping high up allows cats to monitor potential disruptions—whether that is a noisy dog, young children or sudden movement in the home. Experts say it is less a sign of anxiety than an instinctive survival behavior.
That aligns with guidance from PetMD, which notes that cats are both predators and prey by instinct, making elevated resting spots feel naturally safer.