Why Does My Cat Sit and Sleep on My Desk? 8 Possible Reasons
Cats are interesting animals, which is one reason why they’re enjoyed as household companions by humans from all walks of life throughout the world. One quirk that many cats have is a fascination with sitting on our desks whether we’re there or not.
It can be endearing but also annoying. The big question is, why do cats sit and sleep on our desks? There are several possible reasons for the behavior, and we’ll discuss them below.
The 8 Reasons Your Cat May Sit on Your Desk
1. They’re Looking for Attention
Sometimes, a cat needs attention. If you’re sitting at your desk and your kitty is looking for attention, they are likely to jump up on the desk and hang out until they get it. Once they have your attention, they’ll want to keep it, so don’t expect them to get down because you afforded them a few strokes on the head. Quite the contrary, by giving in and offering cuddles, you are reinforcing the behavior, and they will learn that jumping up on your desk is a way for them to get what they want - your attention.
You may have to invite them to sit on your lap if you want to get them off your desk so you can concentrate. They may also do this because they are bored, not receiving enough physical exercise or mental stimulation, and they find your desk and everything on it more entertaining than their environment.
2. They Like Being Near You
Another reason your cat might like to sit or sleep on your desk is to be near you while you work, study, read, or play on your computer. You may be more relaxed while at your desk, which your cat enjoys because it helps make them feel more relaxed and secure.
It could be that they don’t want to miss any opportunity to be around you, especially if you spend a lot of time away from your house.
3. It’s a Preferred Nap Spot
Many cats enjoy sleeping on elevated surfaces, like desks. If you have a desk calendar or keep a mouse pad on the desk, you’re providing just enough padding for your cat to enjoy a long nap.
Even better than using some padding, you can opt for a bed that fits seamlessly on the desk space you have available. Additionally, your kitty is more likely to nap on your desk if it’s near a heat source that stays warm all the time.
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4. They Have a Great Vantage Point
Most felines like to see everything happening around them to know where their predators and prey are. In the case of a housecat, this usually means keeping an eye on the best toys and other household pets. Sitting on a desk provides an excellent vantage point for a cat to quickly scan the room and identify what's happening. They don't have to wonder what the noise on the other side of the couch is since they can see both sides from their desk spot.
5. There are Fun Things to Explore
If you’re like most people, the items on your desk change as time goes on. You might put mail on it for opening later from time to time. You may add a new nick-nack, photo, pen or candy dish to the desktop.
Or you could switch things up and rearrange everything for a different look and feel. Whatever the case, chances are that there is always something new or different happening on your desk for your kitty to investigate.
6. They Like to Swat at Objects
If you use sticky notes or paper clips and keep coffee cups and stress toys on your desk, your cat might like getting on the desk so they can swat at everything that might move.
Cats tend to love loose paper, and if a sticky note is hanging off the side of your computer, it’s a tempting target. If you don’t want your items knocked off the desk, you have to move them or train your cat to stay on the floor.
7. They Enjoy Watching the Computer Screen
If it’s possible for your cat to see your computer screen while sitting on your desk, they might spend a lot of time on the desk because they like seeing all the lights and movement on the screen.
You might notice that your kitty looks at the screen every time you tap on the keyboard or when you’re playing a game with lots of colors and unusual sounds.
8. Sometimes, There Is Food
Most people enjoy sipping on something and fueling up at their desks when working on a tight deadline or trying to finish a good book. There’s nothing wrong with it; in fact, it is quite satisfying.
Cats surely appreciate it when we leave a meal or snack on our desk, especially if we walk away and leave it unsupervised for even a minute. If you have food on your desk occasionally, your cat might hang out on the desk just in case something good to snack on shows up.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why your cat might like to sit or sleep on your desk. If you don’t mind having your kitty on your desk, and there is no potentially harmful food they could eat, then it may not be an issue for you. But if your cat is distracting you from your work, consider placing a comfy chair or a cat bed near your desk to prevent interruptions. If you provide a comfortable alternative, your cat may decide to leave your desk alone.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
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Rachael has been a freelance writer since 2000, in which time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry in her spare time. As a vegan, Rachael is obsessed with helping animals in need both in her community and anywhere in the world where she feels she can make a difference. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about! She lives off the grid in Hawaii with her husband, her garden, and her rescue animals including 5 dogs, a cat, a goat, and dozens of chickens.
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