Cats have an innate desire to explore their surroundings, and climbing is a big part of this behavior. From furniture to curtains and even human legs, these agile felines have a natural talent for scaling almost anything. This instinctive need to climb comes from their wild ancestors, who used height to gain a better vantage point and keep an eye on potential threats.
For some cats, scaling heights isn’t just an activity—it’s a way of life. These cats are born climbers, displaying athleticism and agility that make them exceptional at reaching the highest spots in the house. Whether it’s jumping to a high shelf or climbing a scratching post, their ability to scale vertical spaces is a key part of their playful personalities.
If the idea of a feline friend turning your home into a vertical jungle excites you, certain breeds are particularly adept at climbing. These athletic cats bring both energy and adventure to any household, and their need to reach new heights is something owners can embrace. Discover the 9 breeds that are the ultimate climbers in the world of cats.
1. Bengal
Bengals are essentially mini leopards living in your home. Their wild ancestry gives them powerful muscles and an insatiable desire to climb to the highest point in any room.
These energetic cats need vertical space to thrive and will become frustrated without climbing options. Their spotted coats aren’t just for show—they’re a reminder of their wild cousins who climb trees in the jungle.
Owners often install cat highways along walls and ceiling-high cat trees to satisfy their Bengal’s climbing needs. Without proper outlets, these smart cats might redesign your curtains or bookshelves to create their own climbing challenges.
2. Abyssinian
Athletic and nimble, Abyssinians possess a natural grace that makes vertical exploration look effortless. Their slender bodies and strong legs are perfectly designed for jumping and climbing to impressive heights.
Known as the “athletes” of the cat world, Abyssinians rarely sit still. They’re constantly in motion, leaping from surface to surface with remarkable precision.
These curious cats have an adventurous spirit that drives them to investigate every elevated surface in your home. Abyssinians thrive in environments with cat trees, shelves, and perches that allow them to satisfy their need to be above the action, monitoring their domain from on high.
3. Siamese
Vocal and demanding, Siamese cats aren’t shy about letting you know when they want access to higher ground. Their lean, muscular bodies make them excellent climbers who can reach seemingly impossible heights.
Siamese cats combine intelligence with athleticism, allowing them to solve the puzzle of how to reach that tempting top shelf. They’re known for their persistence—if they want to get somewhere high, they’ll find a way.
History shows these royal cats were treasured companions in ancient temples, where they likely climbed columns and perched on high sacred spaces. Today’s Siamese cats carry that same regal attitude, preferring to survey their kingdom from the highest vantage point available.
4. Maine Coon
Don’t let their large size fool you—Maine Coons are surprisingly agile climbers. America’s native gentle giants possess powerful legs that launch their substantial bodies to impressive heights with surprising grace.
Their tufted paws act like natural snowshoes, providing excellent grip on various surfaces. This feature, combined with their muscular build, makes scaling tall furniture look easy despite their weight.
Maine Coons retain strong hunting instincts from their working cat heritage. They instinctively seek high perches to survey potential prey. Owners often find these magnificent cats lounging atop refrigerators or cabinets, their bushy tails hanging down as they observe household activities from their self-appointed throne.
5. Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Shorthairs could compete in the feline Olympics for their climbing abilities. These sleek, athletic cats have exceptionally long legs and lean bodies that make vertical movement second nature.
Related to Siamese but with a wider range of coat colors, Orientals share that same desire to reach the highest point in any room. Their slim build belies impressive strength that propels them up bookcases, door frames, and curtains with ease.
Highly intelligent and playful throughout their lives, Oriental Shorthairs need mental and physical stimulation. Providing designated climbing spaces helps prevent these determined cats from using your furniture as their personal mountain range. Their inquisitive nature drives them to explore every elevated surface in your home.
6. Japanese Bobtail
Japanese Bobtails combine powerful hind legs with a lightweight frame, creating natural-born jumpers who excel at reaching high places. Their distinctive bobbed tails don’t hinder their balance—in fact, these cats display remarkable agility when navigating narrow surfaces.
Considered lucky in Japan for centuries, these cats have a playful spirit that drives them to explore vertical spaces. Their energy levels remain high well into adulthood, making climbing a lifelong passion.
Japanese Bobtails are problem-solvers who view your home as a three-dimensional playground. They’ll map out routes to reach desired heights, using intermediate jumping points strategically. Providing cat shelves and climbing structures helps channel their natural abilities in household-friendly ways.
7. Savannah
Part domestic cat, part African serval, Savannahs inherit extraordinary jumping power from their wild ancestors. These impressive hybrid cats can leap several times their own height from a standing position, making no shelf or cabinet safe from their exploration.
Tall and lean with spotted coats, Savannahs maintain the serval’s natural climbing abilities. Their long legs and athletic build create a cat that’s perfectly designed for vertical movement.
Savannahs require substantial environmental enrichment, including ceiling-height cat trees and wall-mounted walkways. Without proper climbing outlets, these intelligent cats may become bored and destructive. Their wild heritage gives them both the physical ability and mental drive to conquer every vertical surface in your home.
8. Turkish Angora
Graceful and light-footed, Turkish Angoras move through vertical spaces with ballet-like precision. Their slender bodies and fine bone structure belie surprising strength that propels them to impressive heights.
Ancient natural breeds from Turkey, these cats evolved to navigate mountainous terrain. This heritage translates perfectly to climbing household furniture, shelves, and cat trees with confident ease.
Turkish Angoras possess both physical agility and problem-solving intelligence. They’ll study their environment carefully before executing perfect jumps to reach desired perches. Despite their refined appearance, these cats have an adventurous spirit that drives them to claim the highest spots in your home as their rightful observation posts.
9. Devon Rex
Devon Rex cats pack surprising muscle power into their elfin frames. Their large ears and mischievous expressions hint at their playful nature and love for high places.
Unlike some athletic breeds, Devon Rex cats climb not just for exercise but for pure fun. They retain kitten-like playfulness throughout their lives, turning vertical exploration into a game.
Their lightweight bodies and strong back legs launch them effortlessly to high shelves and cabinets. Devon Rex owners often create vertical playgrounds with shelves and perches at various heights to satisfy their cat’s climbing instincts. These social cats prefer elevated spots that still allow them to monitor family activities, combining their love of heights with their desire to be near their humans.