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 Your Cat Sit on Things You Are Using? 4 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Share

cat-books-Unsplash-photo-1627308722931-0e6a1214c03e

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.

divider 2 cats

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.

Cat-smelling-laundry-basket
Image Credit: jajam_e, Shutterstock

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.

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

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.

Cats are intriguing animals who sometimes have odd interests and indulge in unusual behavior. Understanding them might be tough but providing a toy that fosters their instinctual needs and curiosities is simple.The Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher encourages playtime and offers a cat-appropriate place to scratch. 

Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Cat Scratcher with Real...
  • Premium Materials - Hepper's cardboard scratcher is made with dense, B-flute cardboard, and a metal...
  • High, Low and Lower - A single cat scratch pad won't keep your cat engaged. 3 unique positions keeps...
  • Activates Muscles - The Hi Lo isn't just a cat nail file to stop the chief cat couch scratcher. The...

It’s unique 3-position design and cardboard scratch pad allow your cat to explore different levels, improves their health, satisfies natural feline impulses, and deters your cat from delving into places they should not. Show your cat how much you love and appreciate their quirks by gifting them the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

divider 2 cats

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: 


Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

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.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Welcome to Coastal Cats & Critters

As much as we all love cats, we also know that in many parts of the country (and the world), the problem of...

Ask Dr. Paola – Help! My Cat Suddenly Has Dandruff! (March 30, 2026)

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

Your Cat Keeps Vomiting After Eating: Here’s What’s Going On

Cats vomit. It’s one of the less glamorous facts of life with a feline, and most cat owners have cleaned up more than...

Ask Dr. Paola – Help! My Cat Gets Diarrhea from Wet Food! (March 23, 2026)

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

More related

Black British Shorthair: Info, Pictures, Facts & History

The British Shorthair cat is a medium to large cat with a plush coat, round head, and a distinctive smile on its face....

26 Medium-Hair Cat Breeds (With Info & Pictures)

If you don’t have time for the constant grooming that a longhaired cat requires but you still want a soft, fluffy feline, a...

Top 7 Cat Bite Infection Symptoms in Humans: Vet-Verified Facts

Cats like to bite playfully, but the bites aren’t meant to puncture the skin. However, if you sustain a cat bite that draws...

How to Brush a Cat That Doesn’t Want to Be Brushed: Vet-Reviewed Step-by-Step Guide

A lot of cat owners don’t think about brushing their cats (after all, cats are pretty excellent at grooming themselves), but it’s a...

Keep reading

Do Cats Get Lonely When You Go to Work? Vet-Reviewed Signs & Entertainment Tips

Many people have the view that cats are antisocial; however, that isn’t true. Cats are very affectionate creatures; they socialize in ways different from ours, and there are variations in how sociable cats are toward humans. While we show affection...

cat indoor_Melanie Hogue_Pixabay

Can Cats Eat Cilantro? Vet-Reviewed Nutritional Facts & FAQ

Cilantro is a popular herb used in cooking all around the world, but can cats eat cilantro? The bottom line is that cats can eat cilantro without a problem, but they do not need cilantro in their diets to maintain...

Can Cats Eat Cilantro

Why Do Cats Eat and Chew on Paper? 4 Reasons for This Behavior

Believe it or not, cats chewing on cardboard and paper is a problem that some pet parents encounter. Sometimes, owners mistake their cats playing with the toilet roll as a desire to eat it. In other cases, the cat might...

Cat eating paper

How Often Should You Clean Your Cat’s Ears? Vet Approved Facts & Step-by-Step Guide

Cats normally spend about 50% of their waking hours licking themselves as a self-grooming technique.1 However, their ears are out of their reach. So, how often should you clean your cat’s ears? Well, there is no exact answer to this...

woman-cleaning-cat-ear

How to Socialize Your Kitten: 6 Vet-Approved Methods

It’s always exciting to bring home a new kitten. Not only are they incredibly cute, kittens are also full of personality and charm. Of course, you want your cute little kitten to relate well with you and the people you...

two kittens playing together outdoors

Why Are Cats’ Noses Wet? Vet-Approved Feline Anatomy Facts & When to Worry

A cat’s nose can occasionally be used as a reasonable indication of their health, but this can be quite variable and should not be fully relied upon. It depends a lot on outside environmental conditions, as well as the cat...

pink cat nose closeup

How to Tell Cat Gender By Face? 3 Vet-Approved Ways

Male and female cats can have physical and behavioral differences. Additionally, each faces its own unique health challenges, which can make it essential to know what sex you’re adopting. The only 100% reliable way of knowing a cat’s sex is...

close up amber smoke norwegian forest cat

Virtual Vet Visits: What to Expect & FAQ (Vet Verified)

Virtual doctor visits or telemedicine is a product of the pandemic and the restrictions it imposed. Nevertheless, virtual vet visits have stuck around and serve a purpose and have many benefits for pet owners, particularly for cats. Dogs often ride...

female veterinarian doing virtual vet visits

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.