Why Do Cats Like Refrigerators – Is It Normal?

Cats are natural born explorers that love to investigate their surroundings. They have a never-ending curiosity and will find new things to play with every day. Once they find something that grabs their attention, they may continue to return to it for continued entertainment. Many cats love the refrigerators in their homes. Why do cats like refrigerators?

Refrigerators are like a playground to cats. They can climb up and sit on top and be taller than everyone in the house. Or, if they get inside, they can explore all of the different smells and places to hide. Refrigerators are a wonderland for cats and their imaginations.

Your refrigerator also regularly gets restocked with new items, so there is literally always something new for them to explore. This keeps up their intrigue with the fridge, so they are always come back for more.

Why Is My Cat Meowing At The Fridge

Your cat could be meowing at the fridge because they want something inside. This could be as simple as they remember you keep their food in the fridge so they think if they meow at the fridge, they can convince you to feed them again. Or maybe they have gotten to taste some of your food before, and now they are craving it. They might have associated that you pulled that tasty treat out of the fridge, and now they are trying to demand it again.

Or maybe your kitty smells something in the fridge. It could be good, and they are begging, so you will open the door. Or it could be foul, and they are upset by the smell and trying to notify you.

Your curious cat could also be trying to get inside of the refrigerator to explore what is inside. With so many different shelves and compartments, it truly feels like a playground for them. Plus, cats love to snuggle into small spaces for comfort, so some of the spaces in your fridge will look real cozy to them. Funny enough, some cats actually like to sleep in refrigerators. But don’t worry, their owners never leave them in there!

In some cases, your cat might be afraid of the refrigerator. Not all cats are fans of the fridge, so they may be meowing at it because they don’t like it. Sometimes refrigerators can be loud, and these noises are alarming to cats, so they decide they do not like the refrigerator over time. Cats are also not typically fans of the cold, so when they feel cool air every time the refrigerator door opens, they will stay away from it. You can try to teach them not to be afraid of the fridge by offering them treats and praise when they come near it. Or you can help the issue by keeping their food and anything else they need away from the fridge, so it will be less likely that they will come near it.

Why Do Cats Like To Sit On The Top Of Refrigerators

There is typically a lot of warmth on top of a refrigerator from the machine staying on to keep its interior cool. Cats are naturally attracted to warm spaces, so they enjoy getting cozy on the tops of refrigerators.

Cats also like to stay in good vantage points so they can always stay alert and know what is going on. The top of a refrigerator provides a nice, tall place for them to relax while still keeping an eye on their kingdom. Sometimes being up higher also provides them with more privacy, especially if you have multiple pets in your home. Sitting on top of the refrigerator might be their way of getting some alone time.

There is also usually a small vibration they can feel when sitting on top of a refrigerator. This vibration helps to relax them and could help them doze off. This vibration almost mimics your cat’s own purring, which will help to relax them as well. Overall, the top of the refrigerator is a nice cozy place to sleep.

How Do I Keep My Cat Off Of My Fridge

There are a number of methods you can use to keep your cat off of your fridge. Many cat owners use sticky tape on the edge of the refrigerator to deter their cats from jumping up there. Cats do not like sticky things and hate when their paws are dirty, so they will feel the sticky tape and choose not to jump up there.

Also, make sure there is not anything enticing them to get up onto your fridge. Make sure you do not leave out any food or treats that they are interested in. The fewer reasons they have to get up on the fridge, the less likely they will do it. Eventually, they will become disinterested and will find somewhere else to lie.

You can also distract them from lying on the top of your fridge by offering them another tall perch. If you get them a cat tree, they might be more likely to lay in that, especially if it has a cat bed in it with cushions and soft material. Your cat will choose a soft, cushy space to sleep over the hard metal top of the refrigerator. And if they need some more convincing, you can always add catnip, toys, and treats to the cat tree, so they are more interested in hanging out there.

Can A Cat Jump Off Of A Fridge

Cats are agile enough that they can jump off of a fridge. When cats land on the ground, they are able to use their legs as shock absorbers, so it does not hurt them, and they can keep moving. Cats also have incredible balance and always land on their feet.

This being said, not all cats will have an easy time jumping down from the refrigerator, so monitor your cat the first time they do it to make sure they are being safe. Some older cats will have difficulty jumping down from the refrigerator so maybe consider redirecting their space to a lower point so they are less likely to hurt themselves jumping down. Some cats also have injuries that prevent them from being able to jump from distances that are that high up. Or some cats are too small, especially when they are kittens. Always monitor your cats and make sure they are confident in what they are doing.

Things To Consider

The main motivation your cat has for liking the refrigerator is their curiosity. They want to know what is inside of it and why it smells so good. To ensure your cat’s safety, never let them inside of the refrigerator or on top of it if you do not think they will be safe. Especially if they are going to be left alone for a while, it might be smart to put blockades up to keep them from getting themselves into trouble.