When my eldest and I built the catio, we put shelves and a bed on the outside for the outside cats. They are never used.

So, to make more spaces to perch inside the catio, I moved the shelves inside.

The shorter jumps also help the kitten get around the catio, since he isn’t strong enough for the big jumps yet.

I can see Thor the kitten go from wiggly, wobbly, kitten to strong athletic cat. He isn’t there yet, but it is getting easier to see the potential. He is allowed on the chairs, but not on the table (at least while we are in the room). He is smart enough to figure out the parenthetical part too. He isn’t quite comfortable balancing on the back of the chair, but he gave it a go anyway.

Having a kitten in the house, I have to check for him before closing doors. All doors. Cupboard doors, pantry doors, even the dishwasher door. He is fast and curious.

Thor the kitten thinks that water with a tinge of dog spit tastes better. He has learned to stand up on the edge to reach the water. He does have two of his own, properly sized, water bowls around the house.

Here is my submission for the “cats are liquid” hypothesis. The ability to form to their containers starts in kittenhood.