A cat window perch is a good choice if you want to keep your pet inside but want them to still enjoy looking out. If you are building an outdoor cat enclosure that is attached to a window, a perch is a great way for your feline to go in and out. A cat window seat doesn’t take up much room and will quickly become your pet’s favorite spot in the home. You can either build one yourself or buy one. Building one is a fun and cheap project if you have a little bit of spare time and the necessary tools. But since it is possible to get a nice pet window perch for $35, many people choose to purchase one instead.

Building a Cat Window Perch

As any DIYer knows, building things rather than buying them is often the more frugal option. Of course, that is only one reason why people choose to make something themselves instead of purchasing it. When you make something by hand, you have created something unique. Even if you follow a pattern you will have something that is homemade rather than mass produced. You control the quality. It’s a good feeling to look around your home and know that you are responsible for its current state.

That said, I haven’t built a cat window seat yet, though it is on my to-do list. But I still wanted to include a video of how to build a cat window perch, so I checked out the DIY network and found this.

Buying a Cat Window Seat

If you don’t want to get all your tools out and just want to get something quick and easy that your pets will like, consider buying one (or more, especially if you have multiple cats). How much should you spend on this product? I’ve seen some that cost less than $20 and a few that run over $100. Looking at the best selling products that have good customer reviews (an average rating of four or more stars), it seems like you will have to spend $20-$50. While you can get cheaper models, they aren’t as sturdy and might not hold up well to an energetic pet. Here are the three best-rated models.

Cat Window Seat from Lazy Cat

This is the most popular model and, with over 80 customer reviews, it has an average rating of four stars. It sells for a little over $30 and comes with free shipping. You can install it in your home without needing any tools. It is made from orthopedic foam so it will be a comfy spot for even the pickiest kitty. It comes with a plush berber cover that you can remove and wash.

The shelf is strong enough to support cats of any weight. It doesn’t stick out far into the home, but it is wide so that your pet still has room to lounge and stretch. Many customers buy more than one for their home so that their pet can hang out with them in the living room or the computer room. If you have extremely narrow window sills it might not fit without some customization. I couldn’t find how large of sills would be needed on the internet, so I wrote the company. I heard back that same day, which speaks to the good customer service of the company. Here is what they replied “Our velcro strips that hold the perch to the window sill are approx 1 ¾” wide.  You would need at least that much space to hold the perch in place. “

Cheap Kitty Window Perch

I know that a lot of families are on a budget, and while they might want to buy a lot for their cats they don’t want to spend a fortune. Even though $30 isn’t that much, it certainly adds up if you are buying more than one for your home. So I was really happy to see that there was a cheap model that got good reviews.

This one is from K&H, who make quite a few pet products (some good quality, some mediocre). This appears to be one of the good ones. This can be attached with the included velcro (no tools required) or with nails. If you have hyper or heavy kitties, you might want to attach it with nails so that it will be sturdy. The inside is a soft micro-fleece that a cat will enjoy laying on. It also has a zip on bolster. Cats take to it quickly and one review says that they used it to convince their cat to stop sleeping on their bed.

Kitty Window Seat from Meow Town

The last one I want to talk about is perfect for anyone who wants their pet products to look good in their homes. While this one is slightly more expensive than the other two, it is also more attractive. While it doesn’t have a lot of customer reviews, it does have a five star rating.

Like the others, it can be secured with velcro. The white metal legs are adjustable so it can fit on different types and sizes of windows. The shelf is made from padded berber mat. You can remove the cover for washing, but you’ll still have trouble getting all of the fur off. It is great for the winter and fall, but your pet might find it too hot for the summer.