Rearranging My Home for the Heat-seeking Devices Known as Cats

On clear days, my cats follow the sun through the house. They nap in the pooled warmth until the rays move on; then they’ll yawn, stretch, and stroll over to the next location.

But what’s Calvin to do on rainy day? How can Athena stay comfortably heated when clouds rule the sky? What will Elsa Clair do at night when the sun refuses to bend to her will and pour through the windows?

Cats are natural heat-seeking devices. And during the cooler months of the year, I’m am likely to find a kitty comma curled  in front of a heating vent, fur slightly stirring in the current of hot air.

One of Calvin's favorite locations is the dog bed in my bedroom

One of Calvin’s favorite locations is the dog bed in my bedroom. They dogs don’t use it during the day since I’m usually elsewhere and my canine posse is rarely more than a few feet away from me at any one time.

Dawn hangs out under a rocking chair. Strange? Yes. Until you see the heating vent right behind her.

Dawn hangs out under a rocking chair. Strange? Yes. Until you see the heating vent right behind her.

Thus, every year, when when the crispness to the air requires the wearing of sweaters, an extra layer of blankets and the switch from air conditioning to heating, I rearrange my house for the sole benefit of my feline family.

It’s not a dramatic event — more like subtle switches of cat beds and mats strategically placed in front of the vents.

I’ve learned the favored places over the years. Sometimes I discover a new one, when I find a cat comfortably sleeping in a spot that has no obvious benefits. Or sitting on a hard floor way longer than is normally called for by UFS (Usual Feline Standards.)

Elsa Clair sitting by the plant stand.

I didn’t even think about the heating vent behind our plant stand until Elsa Clair began to sit there.

I’ll move a plant stand away from the corner and put a soft mat in front of the vent.

Athena enjoying the heat in her private corner.

Athena enjoying the heat in her private corner.

A short cat hammock is tucked under the kitchen counter where we would otherwise keep our stepstool. Some of the cats prefer the bottom bunk…

Athena huddled by the heater.

Athena huddled by the heater. You can just see the underside of the counter above.

…while others prefer the top.

One of Calvin's favorite nighttime spots is this hammock, purr-fectly positioned to catch the rising heat.

One of Calvin’s favorite nighttime spots is this hammock, purr-fectly positioned to catch the rising heat.

As the seasons change and we stop using the heat and start up our air conditioning, these toasty cat stations become less attractive. Cold air is not a kitty comfort.

So I’ll move my furniture around again, placing beds and mats and hammocks in warmer locals — usually windows with a view.

It’s always the little things that speak of love, isn’t it? Knowing my cats and their hankering for heat, it’s easy enough to change a few things to make their lives just a little better.

Sometimes, one of the kitties will snuggle on my lap. Maybe he’s seeking yet another heat source. Or perhaps she’s in search of chin scratches and a few gentle pets. Or maybe it’s a combination: they’re looking for the physical warmth of another creature and the emotional warmth of a caring human.

Do you arrange your house around your pets? If so, let us know in the comments section.

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16 Comments on "Rearranging My Home for the Heat-seeking Devices Known as Cats"

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  1. easy rider says:

    that’s nice to arrange comfy places for your furkids :o) I tried it too to make the tiles comfy for easy with a blanket… but he always sleeps next to it :o)

  2. Emma says:

    Mom never rearranges for the cats or us dogs. We have so many places around the house to hang out, some are better at certain times of year than other, but everything stays as is.

  3. I admit to doing similar things:)

  4. That’s really nice of you to do it for your kitties ! Our humans arranged the house according to our needs too, but they don’t need to move the furniture in the cold season. Purrs

  5. Our house has old fashioned radiators, steam heat is much warmer than forced air, which is why your kitties are always so cold. Our big old ugly radiators have big metal covers on them that get very warm, not to mention the heat coming up the back. Needless to say, Rhette discovered the radiator covers where there is plenty of room to sprawl, but, when one side gets too warm you have to be careful rolling over as its a good 4 ft. drop to the floor! Love Dolly

  6. I like to lay right next to the hot air blowing thing. The mom always keeps my hammick near there so I can sleep in it and stay warm. ~Ernie

  7. Daisy says:

    We absolutely rearrange things for Daisy’s comfort – since her back surgery, we’ve had the coffee table in the family room pushed up against a wall unit so that Daisy’s crate (her new preferred spot) is in the center of the room where we can keep an eye on her and she can be close to us. Before she tore her meniscus jumping off a chair, I used to position chairs in front of her favorite windows so she could look outside during the day. Now that she’s no longer allowed to jump, they’re back where they belong. But that crate will be our permanent family room centerpiece!

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