Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

What Is It With Cats & Printers? Vet-Verified Facts

Share

If you’ve ever lived with a feline companion, there’s a good chance you’ve wondered why cats love printers so much. Cats are notorious for sitting and napping on them, indiscriminately hitting buttons (sending paper flying), sitting in the paper trays (causing paper jams), and batting at the paper as it leaves the printer (creating chaos).

Cats are frequently attracted to computers and laptops and often sit on keyboards to help their owners when they’re working. Printers are nice and warm and located on top of desks, making them cozy lookout spots. They make fun noises that cats can respond to and randomly produce paper for them to bat at. Felines often enjoy being part of activities that appear to really interest their humans.

divider 3 paws

The 4 Reasons Why Cats Like Printers

1. Printers Are Warm

Cats generally love to hang out in warm places. They prefer to relax in temperatures far warmer than most people find comfortable; it’s one of the reasons they relax in comfy cat beds in cozy, sunlit locations. It’s also part of why they love to snuggle and sit on or near their favorite people!

When printers have just been used, they’re usually warm, making them just right for cat naps! Even if your printer hasn’t been running, your cat knows it will heat up as soon as it starts going, making it a pretty good place to relax.


Image Credit: foaloce, Shutterstock

2. Printers Are Often Great High Perches

Printers are placed on top of desks, which is an ideal location for cats to survey their territory. Cats have strong preferences for relaxing in spots that give them great views of what’s going on.

Indoor cats love to hang out in high places with great views where they can watch birds fly by. Printers placed in front of windows are perfect for that.


3. Printers Make Great Toys

Cats love to play with objects that are slightly unpredictable; it taps into their hunting instincts, as mice and insects often make quick random movements when trying to escape. Printers are kind of like toys for cats in that they suddenly start, stop, beep, and spit things out at different speeds.

Between the noises and the flying paper, printers pretty much hit all the high notes regarding entertainment. The sounds printers make right before they kick out pages let cats know it’s time to get set for action.


4. Printers Are Interesting to You

Cats love their people and enjoy hanging out and spending time with them. Many become attached to their humans and form bonds like those between children and the people who care for them. Cats frequently show interest in what their owners are doing and are happy to be involved in whatever they’re up to.

They know that people often settle in for the long haul when working on computers. Pets who like to spend time close to their humans find ways to get comfortable in the vicinity of where their person is working, which sometimes involves hanging out on printers.


woman working on her laptop with her cat
Image Credit: Bogdan Sonjachnyj, Shutterstock

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

Printers are the perfect cat toys; they’re warm, make great places to nap, and provide fun activities. There are beeps to investigate and paper to chase, and they’re nice and warm. Printers are also located on top of desks, giving cats high places to kick back with a view and keep an eye on their surroundings.

Cats enjoy participating in activities with their humans and are happy to help out when their favorite people are working on the computer.


Featured Image Credit: Apolonia, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Catster's Digital Magazine is Back!

Vet-approved health & behavior advice

Real cat stories & community features

Chatting About Big Cat Tourism, Lion Hunting, and Learning From Our Mistakes | Chatty Cattys, Episode 26

In this episode of Catster’s Chatty Cattys podcast, Nicole and Dr. Karyn dive into the dark side of big cat tourism and the...

Why Cats Sit by the Door (But Don’t Go Through It)

Door-sitting is one of those quirky little habits that almost every cat owner experiences at some point. You know how it goes: a...

Six Legs Are Better Than Three – How A Tripod Dog and Kitten Found Friendship Through Recovery

Sometimes the most meaningful friendships begin in the most unexpected places. At a Maryland veterinary hospital operated by Last Chance Animal Rescue, two...

The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

Cats have a reputation for being independent, and in many ways they are. But anyone who has tried to work at a laptop...

More related

How Much Water Does a Cat Need per Day? Vet-Approved Facts & Health Tips

Like humans, cats require access to fresh drinking water, which is essential for proper body functioning and optimum health. Water helps cats maintain...

Why Is My Cat’s Tongue Swollen? (Vet Answer)

There are many different reasons your cat may be experiencing a swollen tongue. A swollen tongue is typically associated with inflammation. When the...

Maine Coon Cat Size: Info, Pictures & Height Comparison Chart (Vet-Verified)

Maine Coons are known to be some of the biggest domestic cats there are. The breed originated in the US state of Maine,...

Ask Dr. Paola – Sudden Weight Loss, Sadness & Counter Sitting (March 24, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

Keep reading

How Long Can a Cat Be in Labor? Vet-Approved Feline Birth Facts

Most veterinary professionals recommend getting your cat spayed or neutered to help control the feral cat population, reduce disease transmission between cats, and reduce the risk of health complications later in life. It can also help make it much easier...

pregnant cat on the ground

Scottish Fold Cat Health Problems: 7 Vet-Reviewed Issues

Scottish Fold cats have found their way into many pet lovers’ hearts with their unique folded ears and sweet personalities. As with any breed of cat, the Scottish Fold cat has its own set of health issues you need to...

Catster_Health Problems of Scottish Fold

Can Cats Survive On Their Own By Hunting Wildlife? Vet-Approved Explanation

Cats are predators; even those who prefer to spend their time curled up in comfortable beds have the bodies and instincts of skilled hunters. The only real difference between feral cats and well-loved pets is their level of socialization. Cats,...

semi feral cat sitting on the ground looking up

The Wild Survival Instinct That Makes Cats Hiss at Their Owners

Have you ever reached down to pet your cat while they’re eating, and suddenly they’re hissing at you like you’re a stranger who broke into their house? Or maybe your cat has started blocking the other pets from accessing the...

abyssinian cat hisses

Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Peanut butter is a snack loved by humans and dogs alike, but is this sweet, nutty treat something you should share with your cat? As delicious as PB is, this food should not be added to your cat’s treat rotation....

Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter

How Do Cat Microchips Work? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Microchips are undoubtedly incredibly useful for our pets. They’re tiny but contain information about our animals in order to identify them and make it easy for us to be reunited with them if they ever got lost. The microchip conveys...

vet microchipping a cat

How to Collar Train a Cat: 8 Vet-Approved Steps

When you think of collars, you might automatically think of dogs. But collars can also be useful for cats (and in fact, they should be used in certain situations), and you can choose from a few types. Choosing and fitting...

a cat with collar on sitting on the floor

Mange Spreads Fast in Feral Colonies – Here’s How to Stop It

If you care for feral cats, or if you interact with them every so often, you likely already know how tough it can be to keep them healthy. When intense itching, hair loss, and scabby skin enter the picture, things...

Cat-with-clinical-sign-of-sarcoptic-mange-infection_

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.