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.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

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...

Cat Shampoo Alternatives That Are Already in Your House

If your cat has ever gotten into something disgusting and you’ve found yourself without cat shampoo, we’re here to help. Before you panic...

More related

Cats in Fall: Pictures, Behaviors & FAQ About Autumn Kitties

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Fall photography is gorgeous in its own right. The only thing that...

Do Cats Like Enclosed Litter Boxes? Pros, Cons & Useful Tips

Enclosed litter boxes are all the rage, but do cats really like them or are they more for the owner’s benefit? While some...

Do Devon Rex Cats Shed a Lot? Vet-Verified Tips to Reduce Cat Hair & FAQ

The Devon Rex cat, with its pixie-like appearance and charming personality, is an increasingly popular breed of feline. While these cats are known...

K9 Advantix Is Not Safe for Cats: Our Vet Explains Why

Ticks can pose all sorts of problems for our pets, whether it just be from the skin irritation caused by the tick itself,...

Keep reading

Why Do Cats Sleep in a Ball? 3 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

There’s something delightful about watching your cat sleep while curled up into a tight fluff ball. They look so sweet and serene, and it’s amazing how their supple bodies can sleep comfortably in this position. If you have ever wondered...

cat sleeping on the patio

How to Introduce Two Male Cats: 7 Approved Tips

Introducing two cats to each other can be a real challenge. Cats are very particular animals that tend to warm up to new animals very slowly and certainly in their own time. It can take days or weeks to acclimate...

Black-and-white-Thai-cats-with-bell-collars

What Are Cat Paws Made Of? 5 Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Cats’ paws are incredible and are used for a host of different things. Paws help with balance and carrying the load of the cat, and they also provide protection, offer grip, and even dissipate energy, which is how cats can...

close up paws of orange cat

Why Does My Cat’s Poop Smell So Bad? 8 Vet-Verified Reasons & Solutions

As much as we all love our cats, cleaning out their litter trays is unlikely to top any cat lover’s list of favorite tasks. If your cat’s poop smells bad, this can make this job even worse! Smelly cat poop...

constipated cat in the litter box

If I Have Asthma, Can I Have a Cat? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects millions of people in the United States. For people with asthma, having a cat may seem out of the question. But is it? While cats can aggravate asthma symptoms, they don’t have to....

Inhaler for asthma patient

11 Best Cat Affiliate Programs – Reviews & Top Picks of 2026

If you are looking for the best cat affiliate programs of this year, you have come to the right place. In this article, we are going to take a look at the 11 best cat affiliate programs, including thorough reviews...

cat sitting in cardboard box

Why Do Cats Eat Their Vomit? Cat Behavior Explained!

Cats can often display behavior that is utterly baffling to their human companions. A common cat behavior that people tend to find odd is eating vomit. Many people have seen their cats chowing down on a pile of food that...

Munchkin cat eating

How to Care for Senior Cats: 12 Vet-Approved Tips

As your cat becomes more senior, it may not be as energetic as he or she once was. You might also notice other behavioral and physical changes that indicate your golden oldie cat needs a little more care and attention...

young woman holding cute siberian cat with green eyes

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.