What is the deal with your cat sitting on things you are using? There are countless videos on social media of individuals trying to work on the computer or read a book and their cat just wants to use it as a resting place. So, what gives?

Here are four possible reasons your cat would rather sit on whatever object you are using rather than anything or anywhere else in the house.

The 4 Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Sits on Things You Are Using

1. It Smells Like You

Cats have a powerful sense of smell. They also know and seek your scent, as it’s familiar. In fact, their sense of smell is believed to be around 14 times more sensitive than that of humans, and they rely on it when exploring their environment.

When your cat sits on something you are using, it may be because the scent is stronger on the things you are using now. Since the items you use will smell like you, it is a happy, comforting place for them.

So, in the future, when your cat is annoying you and climbing on whatever you are using, remember that they may just want to feel safe and cuddle with you.

2. Your Cat Is Being Territorial

One thing is certain: cats are territorial and known to mark. Since cats have scent glands in their feet and on their faces, they may climb on and rub on anything they want to mark. When they climb on the things you are using, they leave their pheromones on the items to mark them as their territory and claim them as their own, making them smell familiar and reassuring.

Cats rely on their scent for boundaries and a way of knowing that something is safe. Over time, as the scent fades, the cat will continue to mark it to feel safe and to let other cats know it belongs to you, or, we mean, your cat!

3. Your Cat Wants Your Attention

Have you ever noticed that they always want your attention when your focus is on something else? They do not want to share you with other things, so they will purposely climb on your computer or book. It is not a fluke that they end up landing on whatever it is that you are touching or looking at. It is a purposeful act, and it is their way of letting you know your attention needs to be on them and not the object on which you are working.

When we give them attention by cuddling them or moving them from the spot they occupied, we may reinforce this behavior further, so make sure to try and ignore your cat, as hard as that is, when they’re doing something to get your attention.

4. A Warm Place to Land

Cats love to hang out in places that are warm. When you are holding things in your hands, like your laptop, for instance, it will make the surface warm. Your cat finds these objects to be the perfect place to get warm and cozy.

So, once again, the next time you get frustrated because your cat is sitting on the object you are using, remember that it may be looking to keep its temperature up.

Conclusion

Yes, cat owners will laugh and make jokes about how their cats will do things to purposely annoy them. Climbing on the objects they are using is one of those things. As you can see, there may be legitimate “cat” reasons for this behavior. Our favorite is that they just want to be close to you!

See also: 

• Why Do Cats Hang Out in Weird Places? 4 Common Reasons, Care Tips & FAQ
• Why Is My Cat Is Sitting Like a Person? Is That Normal?

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