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.

Why Does My Cat Sit In My Chair? 5 Vet-Approved Likely Reasons & Prevention Ideas

ginger cat sitting on an armchair

Have you recently noticed that your furry companion has hijacked your chair? Every time you walk into a room, they are sitting in the seat of your chair or up on the back. This might be an odd behavior to you, and you could be wondering why they’re doing it.

Perhaps you just want to decode cat language, or you want to prevent them from taking your spot. In this article, we will explore the different reasons your cat might find your chair to be the most relaxing spot in the house, and ways you can protect your furniture.

divider 3 paws

The 5 Likely Reasons Why Your Cat Sits on Your Chair

1. It Smells Like You

Keep in mind that our cats’ sense of smell is so much stronger than ours. They are well aware of our personal scent. This is one of the ways cats connect with us and get to know us better.

If our chair is covered in our scent because it is a place we sit very frequently, it’s only natural that your cat would want to feel closer to you by being surrounded by your smell. This is also why many cats like to sleep on your pillows, laundry, and blankets.

ginger cat sitting on a blue armchair
Image By: perfectlab, Shutterstock

2. They’re “Claiming” You

It’s no secret that our cats are obsessed with claiming us. The action of bunting, where our cats press their forehead into us, is also a form of scent marking. They are sending their scent to you so that other cats or animals around know that you are already taken.

Similarly, your cat might be hijacking your chair because they want any other animal in the house to know that you are their human.


3. It Feels Safe

If your chair smells like you, they might feel totally safe inside. The reason is pretty simple—you make them feel safe! So, it’s only natural that this could turn into a totally stress-free zone for your little pal.

Closeup of an old adult long haired tabby cat sleeping on a grey armchair
Image Credit: Danielle Armstrong, Shutterstock

4. It’s Comfortable

If you have a big, plush La-Z-Boy, you might have the coziest spot in the house. It’s no wonder that your cat would want to test out your impeccable fabric structure. After all, they love lounging in royalty.

So, it could simply be that your cat finds a spot extremely relaxing, using it for a top-notch napping spot.


5. They Feel Protected

If your chair has a back and arms around it, your cat might feel cradled inside of the chair. Mini cats love to hide in boxes, use cat caves, and hide underneath beds. They love protection and coverage around them, especially when they’re sleeping, and your chair could give them that same feeling of protection.

bengal cat pressing its head against the chair during estrus
Image Credit: Azovsky, Shutterstock

divider 2 cats

Ways to Protect Your Chair from Your Cat

It can be totally fine sharing your chair with your buddy. But what if they claw it up or leave fur all over the fabric? Here are some ideas on how to protect this beloved piece of furniture.

Get a Chair Cover

If you are cool and compatible, you can get a special chair cover to fit over the top of the fabric. That way, it provides a good layer between your cat and the material. You won’t have to worry about cat hair, debris, litter tracking, or anything else that might come with your cat sleeping in your spot.

Chair covers are relatively inexpensive, and you can get many designs and fabrics. If you don’t want to buy an official cover, you can always cover up your seat with a large enough blanket.

cat sleeping near salt lamp
Image Credit: Robert Hale, Shutterstock

Place a Blanket in the Seat

If you don’t feel the need to cover the entire chair, you can always fold up a blanket and put it on the seat. That way, when your cat is napping, any of her fur material will go onto the blanket, and not into the cracks of your seats.

Put a Cat Bed in the Seat

If you have an extra cat bed, or your kitty has one that is super portable, you can always place it into the seat when you get up to go to other things. That way, they can come to take little naps whenever they want.

Put Guards Up to Prevent Scratches

If your cat is frequently hanging out on your chair, they might be causing other damage. If they decide to sharpen their claws on your fabric, it can be costly to clean and sometimes impossible to repair.

Companies make products that explicitly protect our belongings from damage by pets, protecting cat owners from destruction. Also, you can make some DIY protections or buy some and put them around the house to create restricted areas for your cat. You simply have to find what works best for you!

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

If you need to battle for true ownership of the chair, you two will have to rock-paper-scissors for it. But the reality is, your cat probably wants to share it with you because it’s a way to bond. This is your chair, so naturally it’s where they want to be. Some cats might want to have a duel to see who the champion of the chair is, but most of the time, they’re there because of your smells and the safety and comfort that you provide.


Featured Image Credit: Daria Minaeva, Shutterstock

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.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Why Does My Cat Take My Spot? 5 Vet-Verified Reasons

When you became a cat parent, you probably didn’t expect to regularly give up your comfortable seat. Many cats have a knack for...

Scottish Shorthair cat lying on a velvet couch

Why Do Cats Like to Sit on Paper? Our Vet Explores 4 Likely Reasons

Whether it is the daily newspaper print or that pile of documents on your desk, it seems like your kitty does not leave...

scottish fold lying on newspaper

Why Does My Cat Sit On Me All The Time? 6 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats, for the most part, are not always the most affectionate creatures in the world, and for many cat lovers, this is precisely...

Will My Cat Suffocate if They Sleep Under a Blanket? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Once you bring a cat home, it won’t take long for them to find a blanket, a comforter, a scarf, or another type...

grey and white cat under the blanket

More related

purebred snowshoe cat lies on a bed cover with a fur blanket

Do Cats Have an Evening Routine? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Cats are creatures of habit, and they love routine. That’s why they know when dinnertime is approaching and will let you know if...

woman sleeping in bed with her cat

I’m Dreaming About My Cat: The Meaning Behind This

My love for my cats extends to my sleeping brain. Here are some recent dreamtime kitty adventures....
birman cat eating

Why Does My Cat Scratch Around Their Food Bowl? 4 Likely Reasons

If you’ve ever had a cat, you know that they can be very particular about their food. They may sniff it, walk away,...

Devon Rex kitten on a white fluffy blanket

How to Keep Cats Warm in Winter: 7 Vet-Approved Methods

If you own a cat, you might be wondering if they easily get cold. You may have observed them hiding under a blanket,...

Keep reading

Is Pine-Sol Safe for Cats? Vet-Reviewed Health Facts

Most cat owners are aware of the harmful effects that pine oil can have on cats and avoid using products that contain it. Pine-Sol is a popular multi-surface cleaner, and while it still does have “pine” in its name, most...

Catster_Is Pine-Sol Safe for Cats

10 Best Wet Cat Foods in Canada in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

For most of us, cats are part of the family, and we treat them accordingly. Likewise, not much is more important than feeding our cats the right type of food. Wet cat food recipes are formulated to match the cat’s...

Cat-eating-wet-food-from-white-bowl-on-wooden-floor

Feline Hepatic Lipidosis – Fatty Liver Disease in Cats: Signs, Causes & Care

Hepatic lipidosis, more commonly known as fatty liver disease, is the most frequently seen form of severe liver disease in cats. The liver has many complex functions, including the production of chemicals necessary for digestion and the detoxification of the...

vet holding burma cat

How Old is My Cat? Vet-Approved Ways to Determine Age

Adopting a rescue cat is one of the best feelings in the world. You get to give a cuddly feline a good home and all the love, food, play, and nap time that they want. There is always going to...

scottish fold and siamese cats sitting next to each other

Can Cats Eat Gum? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Chewing gum comes in several flavors, and the scent can pique a cat’s curiosity, especially if it’s wrapped in shiny foil. So, it’s pretty easy for cats to accidentally take a bite or get it stuck on their face and...

Can Cats Eat Gum

Why Is My Cat Suddenly Lethargic & Weak? 12 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats don’t always make it obvious that they aren’t feeling well. They are notorious for concealing their symptoms until the health condition has progressed to the point of them being unable to hide it. It’s hard to tell that a...

sick cat lying on blanket

Are Baby Wipes Safe to Use on Cats? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

For the most part, cats are rather self-reliant creatures. They do a majority of their bathing and grooming and only occasional input from you is necessary. But there are times when felines need a little additional help to stay entirely...

Catster_Are Baby Wipes Safe for Cats

Can Cats Eat Bones? Vet-Approved Diet Facts & FAQ

Household cats may be smaller than lions and tigers, but they share the same prowling, pouncing, and hunting instincts. Cats are natural-born killers, so you may assume that it’s safe for them to dine on bones leftover from your dinner....