Having traveled and adventured with 4 of our 7 cats, I have learned that they each have different preferences when it comes to adventuring. They have different adventuring “styles.” It makes sense. Just like with people, cats have varying personalities, likes, and dislikes. Of course they would enjoy different kinds of adventures.
Oftentimes people hear the term “adventure cat” and immediately think of cats who love to hike, backpack, or even rock climb with their people. While the term certainly includes those types of cats, I believe it also includes those who prefer more urban types of adventures, or even those who just enjoy going out in their back yard. There are several adventuring styles, and finding out what your cat’s style will lead to lots of fun!
The Nature-Loving Adventure Cat
As mentioned before, the nature-loving, outdoorsy cat is usually what first comes to mind when people think of “adventure cats.” These kitties love activities such as hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, skiing, camping, etc. Exploring the great outdoors is their favorite.
Kylo Ren is definitely an outdoorsy adventurer. He loves to hit the trail and explore the woods. He’s not a fan of crowds, cars, or any other commotion, so the peacefulness of nature is where he loves to be. I’ve tried to get him more accustomed to urban adventures, and while he will tolerate them sometimes, he does not enjoy them. He is in his element when he’s out in nature, whether it be on a hiking trail or cruising down the river in the canoe.
The Urban Adventure Cat
If you and/or your cat don’t enjoy getting out in nature, that’s no problem! You can still enjoy traveling and adventuring together. Check your area for cat-friendly establishments such as stores, restaurants, or breweries. Pet stores are also a fun place to visit!
A couple of great examples of urban adventurers are our friends Summer of Sparklecat.com and Cupcake of CatsGoingPlaces.com. Summer loves going shopping at local pet stores. She also flies around the country with her human and attends cat shows. Staying in hotels are one of her favorite kinds of adventures! Cupcake enjoys going with her human to pet-friendly patios. They frequent their local Starbucks patio, as well as other restaurant patios in their area.
Neither one of these kitties go hiking or go on any other sort of “outdoorsy” adventures, but that doesn’t matter. Their people have found other fun ways to get out and about with them, which is awesome.
The Suburban Adventure Cat
Perhaps the hustle and bustle of stores or restaurants is too much for your cat, but you don’t like to hike. Don’t worry – there are fun places to explore for you and your cat too! Parks are the perfect middle-ground between “nature-loving” and “urban.” There are so many different kinds of parks too – city parks, secluded parks, big parks, little parks… Try them all out and see what your kitty prefers.
One of our favorite local parks has a little bit of everything. It has an open field for picnicking or playing; paved walking trails for those who like to walk but don’t want to get too “woodsy;” playgrounds for those who like to climb; dirt trails for the nature-lovers; and a canoe put-in for those who like to explore on the water. It is the perfect place for the suburban adventurer.
The Up-For-Anything Adventure Cat
Though there are several adventuring styles, your cat doesn’t have to fit into just one. Maybe your cat loves hiking AND hanging out at your local brewery. That’s awesome! Some cats are really just up for anything.
Sophie definitely fits into this category. She enjoys hiking and canoeing with Kylo, but she also loves going any place where she can make new friends. Local restaurants, outdoor concerts, the woods, the park, the pet store, you name it – Sophie is down. The only kind of adventure she does not enjoy too much is road-tripping and staying away from home over night.
The Back Yard Adventure Cat
I like to think that any cat can learn to enjoy adventures, no matter how small. If going to the park, taking a hike, or visiting your local pet store is a too overwhelming, no worries! Maybe your cat is more of a back yard adventurer. There can be a lot of exciting sights and smells in your own back yard.
Some people make the mistake of trying to force their cat into adventures they don’t enjoy. This only leads to stress and frustration for both of them, and worst-case scenario, it can damage trust. Sure, your cat will likely be nervous about any kind of adventure in the beginning. It’s always important to train and ease them into things, but if after training and slow acclimation your cat is still just not into a particular type of adventure, try something else. Once you figure out which style of adventuring your cat enjoys most, he will flourish.
da tabbies o trout towne says
guyz… R adventurez stylez iz de concreet jungle; onlee place we iz a loud ta go iz
de garage !!!! 🙂 ♥♥
Timmy Tomcat says
We love adventuring in our house. There is a huge fireplace and with the layout we can run through the kitchen, into Dads living room, into the Cat Play Room (used to be Dads office,) back into the hall, around the puter washer area and back into the kitchen. Then we can go on top of the Amoire or Mantle or China Cabinet to watch who is below. Oh we have our own counter in the kitchen so we dont walk on Dads Noms. Yes we cats LOVE Adventure no matter where we are
Timmy and Family
Cathy Keisha says
My Petfinder bio said I’m always off on a new adventure and I am … inside my condo. I don’t tolerate anything around my neck so I can’t go out.
Your new design is pawsome!
Ellen Pilch says
My Phoebe was a backyard adventure cat. I wish we had realized sooner she wanted to be outside when we went out. I haven’t tried with any of my other cats as they show no interest in going out.
Summer says
Yep, I’m an urban adventurer for sure! I have to give credit for that partly to my human, who isn’t particularly outdoorsy.
mommakatandherbearcat says
That first picture of Sophie is a heart-tugger! Completely impossible to not fall in love with her!
Holly/Emilia says
Plush is a suburban/urban adventure cat – our Traveling Persian tag line for him. He shows at cat shows, does touristy things, and goes to local places. I can’t wait to do more outdoor eateries come spring. He’s a very good shopper too. I hope to get him in to some outdoor stuff nothing too exciting, he’s a Persian after all, but I’m worried about ticks.
Lindsay Stordahl says
Aww, I love your blog and the idea of more cats going on adventures. I have a very indoor cat but he LOVES road trips and he does enjoy going outside on his harness and leash. I’m inspired to take him out somewhere after reading this because he enjoys it so much.
Dalton/Benji/Angel-MrJackFreckles/Pipo & Angel-Minko says
Loved reading about all the adventure styles…Pipo’s style for sure is home body…even the backyard scares him, though sometimes on his own terms he sneaks out the doggy doors in warm weather:)
Eastside Cats says
Sophie is just so lovely; her fur colors are gorgeous! At this point, all of our cats are indoor-only, but we’ll get them outside again, on harnesses and leashes. We tried last year, and Da Boyz got so excited that they were door-dashing, and with The ‘O’ Cats outside, we decided to go at this slowly.