Cat Itecture: Better Cat Window Boxes (2023) | Hacker News Reader

Cat Itecture: Better Cat Window Boxes (2023)

gwern.net

88 pointsgggscript14 comments

I've personally found that the most comfortable human spaces incorporate layers of exposure as described in the article.

I also find our cats' preferences to mirror ours (even when we're not around), with the added depth of how they fit into cabinets and other small spaces.

I feel as tho our failure to architect for cats properly is more a symptom of laymen approaching architecture.

Aside: on a much larger scale, I've found commercial construction often sucks at this (except at the high end) while haphazard diy builds often naturally incorporate this.

There's a real "nerd layman" approach to architecture that is instantly visible - and they never really know why they feel uneasy in their incredibly brightly lit daylight-colored room.

But even people who seem to either study architecture/design/layout or figure it out accidentally leave the cat to its own devices - but everyone knows cats like to be in boxes, so provide various "boxes" for your cat in the design and they'll use them.

This is why floor to ceiling windows in living spaces don’t feel quite right. It’s much more comfortable to have a low barrier and then a window because there’s something involved into us which makes being on a platform feel precarious.

People are confused by this because generally, they see the options as full height window or conventional window. Everyone knows that more light is better. But the ideal is either a full height window, which is blocked at the bottom by seating or a sofa or plants or something, or a window that comes within 30cm or so of the floor. It also means that people outside on the ground have a much more obscured view in and people in the room can continue their visibility by moving back-and-forth very easily.

There's a book about the sibling construction: the cat ladder. It's called "Arcatecture"[0].

0: https://brigitteschuster.com/swiss-cat-ladders

That's amazing. I need to add several smaller ladders for my elderly cat, and a couple of the ideas will fit the limited space I have.

Thank you!

> If cats are autistic, “what cat window box would Temple Grandin design?”

There's a book called All Cats Are On The Autism Spectrum, and I was reminded of it while reading this post. (I found myself relating to the description of cat psychology.)

I'm still reading, but as I go through the sight vs sound section I am reminded of how weird my cats seem to be (especially the male). He seems to have none of these risk assessment/survival instincts at all unless we are at the vet's office. At home, whether inside or on the balcony, he simply behaves like there is no danger from anything, ever. If he hears a new sound he will likely go toward it rather than away, and if a new person comes he's the first to the door to sniff them out. I don't think I've ever seen him hide in my life.

Then again, every cat owner thinks their cat is the special one.

Many housecats are like that, simply absolutely confident that their own territory is totally safe because that’s all they have ever experienced.

It makes me so happy every time I think about that - how my cats have never had to know anything other than utter love and safety.

In actuality he's been through some really rough times at vet hospitals as a kitten (and that's why he reacts differently with vets), so it is an extra relief that he came out of that so well-adjusted at home.

Having lived with a cat that had been in the streets for months before being adopted, and a different cat that had always lived indoors, I think that's the main difference in behavior regarding safety.

The one that had had experiences outdoors was more obsessed with food (to the point of eating everything fast until vomiting sometimes), scared of noises and sudden movements (going to hide in safe places), even from the people that had been living with her and caring for her for years. She was sweet and loving, but the streets never left her.

The one that had always been indoor was friendly to everybody, never super scared of noises, super curious, could regulate food properly (eating piecemeal throughout the day), etc.

There's always differences between cats' personalities, and this is a small sample, but it seemed significant and made sense given their experiences and possible past trauma.

To add to the risk calculation that cats do: my cat won’t come in through the door unless she has a clear line of sight. We have to open the front door, the porch door, and step aside. She pauses before stepping in then runs inside, never walks.

Interesting observations. The design of cat flaps does seem suboptimal. I had not thought about the shape- it seems a good call that tall and thin would be better - but also the hinge at the top allows the flap to fall on the tail.

It’s “A Pattern Language” for cat window boxes. How delightful a decomposition! Although I think even a modest intersection of claims would yield and a mansion sized cat house! Still, I enjoyed the analysis.

I'd left the lawnmower outside for a few days, with the grass-catcher detached, sitting on it's side held stable and upright between the mower and the wall.

The cats would often sniff at, and stick their heads in, then move on for the rest of their property-security-tour. The other day one of them decided to get right in and sat happily in there for a while. Looking out at the world through the grass-catching hole.

Just another box, but safe from attack from all angles other than one they're looking at.

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