Why do cats hang out on the roof?

Question

Last night when i was handing out candy for halloween, some trick-or-treaters brought it to my attention that my cat was on the rrof and he was staring at them! I had seen other cats on my street do this before, but i never knew my cat also did it until last night. why do cats do this?

Answer 1

I've heard (on the History channel, I think?) that, historically, cats love heights--and what better place than a roof? If they are wild cats, rooftops give them access to birds, mice and other prey. But since you have a domestic cat, maybe it just feels safe or wanted to see all the kids' costumes :)

Here's what Wikipedia has to say:
Perching and falling
Most breeds of cat have a noted fondness for settling in high places, or perching. Animal behaviorists have posited a number of explanations, the most common being that height gives the cat a better observation point, allowing it to survey its "territory" and become aware of activities of people and other pets in the area. In the wild, a higher place may serve as concealed site from which to hunt. Height, therefore, can also give cats a sense of security and prestige.

This fondness for high spaces, however, can dangerously test the popular axiom that a cat "always lands on its feet." The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns owners to safeguard the more dangerous perches in their homes, to avoid "high-rise syndrome," where an overconfident cat falls from an extreme height.

During a fall, a cat can reflexively twist its body and right itself using its acute sense of balance and flexibility. This is known as the cat's "righting reflex." It always rights itself in the same way, provided it has the time to do so during a fall. Thus, high (multi-story) falls can be less dangerous to them than those of only a few meters. Many cases are known of cats falling from substantial heights (5 to 10 stories) and surviving almost unscathed. Contrary to popular belief, cats without a tail also have this ability, since a cat mostly moves its hindlegs and relies on conservation of angular momentum to set up for landing, and the tail is in fact little used for this feat.

Answer 2

For the view (curiosity), the safety (not to be stepped on or chased by predator dog, maybe a bird or two has chirped away up on your roof and cat goes up to investigate it.

Answer 3

I HAD a cat referred to as cat Origonal proper-we did not prefer the identify cat however we referred to as him that until we inspiration of a reputation and by the point we inspiration of 1 it was once too overdue and might best reply to cat...

Answer 4

Cats are naturally curious animals. They like to view things from different views. Also, they like high places because humans and other animals (such as dogs) cannot get to them.

Answer 5

If your eyes were only 5 inches off the ground, wouldn't you want to get up as high as you could to look around?

Answer 6

never ever in my 50 yrs saw a cat on the roof and Ive had many

Answer 7

Because it is safe for them to be up high and can see things that are running around on the ground or floor. So they can POUNCE!

Answer 8

To keep out of harms way and they get a birds eye view.

Answer 9

Kitties LOVE heights.. on top of roofs.. in trees.. and if I have a ladder in the house(a step ladder), they would climb to the top.. It is just their nature.

Answer 10

Its in thier nature to enjoy hights. cats love to be on top of everything, there 4, they climb to hights. the problem is getting them down! lol! HAHAHAHA