The term “cat superhighway” was coined by Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy. In most episodes of My Cat From Hell, you can watch him recommend some version of this environmental modification designed to give cats a way to traverse their indoor environment as if they were outdoors.
Cat superhighways are especially important in households with more than one cat. They give cats opportunities to share territory on more than one level, without bumping into each other and creating possible altercations.
A good cat superhighway includes the following elements:
- multiple lanes offering alternate routes
- on and off ramps
- no dead ends
- rest stops and lookout points
You can create a cat superhighway by using cat trees and condos or wall-mounted cat shelves and stairs. You can also use existing furniture.
Our cat superhighway includes the cat tree pictured in the photo at the top of the post, and extends to the top of the dining room cabinet next to it. The cat tree is next to the sliding glass doors, offering a great view of our backyard. I’ve placed a soft blanket on top of the dining room cabinet, and occasionally Ruby or Allegra take a nap up there. They usually use the cat tree as their on and off ramp, but will sometimes jump from the top of the cabinet to the dining table for a quicker exit. I’m working on creating a more gradual exit ramp, using either a second cat tree or wall shelves, on the other side of the cabinet.
For a great example of how to create a cat superhighway, check out Kate Benjamin’s makeover of Jackson Galaxy’s home.
Does your home have a cat superhighway? Do you have ideas on how to create one?
