Cat behaviour
Short answer: Cats sit on laptops because they are warm, elevated, smell like you, and sit at the heart of your attention. To a cat, a laptop is a prime real estate that meets physical comfort, emotional connection, and curiosity all at once.
Written by Paul Denman, Cat Welfare Writer at Kitten Kaboodle
This guide provides general information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Key points at a glance
- Laptops are warm and provide a perfect heat source.
- Your attention is focused on the screen, so cats interrupt to redirect it towards themselves.
- The laptop carries your scent, which makes it emotionally significant.
- Sitting on your workspace strengthens social bonding.
- Providing alternatives can redirect the behaviour gently.
Warmth is a major attraction
Cats love warm surfaces. A laptop naturally produces heat, which rises through the keyboard and casing. For a cat, this warmth feels similar to a heated bed or a sunny windowsill.
Heat supports comfortable resting and helps regulate body temperature, especially in cold months or for hairless breeds who seek warmth more intensely.
Your laptop represents your focus
Cats are highly attuned to where our attention goes. If your gaze and hands are fixed on a screen, your cat recognises that the laptop is competing with them for interaction.
Sitting on your keyboard redirects that attention, often with great success.
Your scent makes your workspace meaningful
Cats rely on scent to build emotional security. Your laptop carries strong traces of your natural scent: your hands, your breath, even the faint odour of your daily environment.
To your cat, sitting on the laptop feels like sitting inside a familiar, comforting scent pocket.
Territory marking and social bonding
Cats mark objects they consider part of their territory or social group. By sitting on your laptop, rubbing their cheeks, or draping their tail over the screen, they add their scent to yours.
This creates a shared space that strengthens bonding.
Curiosity plays a role too
Moving images, changing lights, typing sounds, and the novelty of the surface make laptops particularly interesting for many cats. They want to investigate and, sometimes, participate.
How to protect your laptop while respecting your cat’s needs
You can gently redirect the behaviour using positive alternatives rather than punishment.
- Offer a warm alternative: a heated mat or blanket placed near you works wonders.
- Provide a decoy object: place an old laptop shell or a firm book for them to sit on.
- Use a raised bed: cats enjoy height, so a perch beside your desk may satisfy their need to be close.
- Reward wisely: praise them when they choose the alternative spot.
More Advent Calendar questions
Laptop sitting is just one of the many ways cats share space and seek connection. Enjoy more festive feline mysteries:
- Why do cats purr?
- Why does my cat chirp at birds?
- Why does my cat knead me?
- Why does my cat follow me to the toilet?
- Why does my cat stare at me?
- Why does my cat sleep on my head?
- Why does my cat suddenly run around the house at night?
- Why do cats love boxes so much?
- Do cats recognise their names?
- Why does my cat bring me gifts?
Frequently asked laptop questions
- Why does my cat walk across the keyboard?
- They are seeking attention, warmth, or involvement. The keyboard is simply the quickest route into your focus.
- Is my cat jealous of my laptop?
- Not quite jealousy, but they do notice where your attention goes. They want to be included in your social world.
- How can I type without my cat interrupting?
- Offer a warm, elevated alternative next to you, and reward your cat when they choose it. Many cats learn the new routine quickly.
Enjoy uncovering your cat’s quirky behaviours?
Continue your Advent journey through our Articles section,
and share photos of your cat invading your workspace.
🐾 May your keyboard stay safe, and your lap stay warm. 🐾