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.


Catster's Digital Magazine is Back!

Vet-approved health & behavior advice

Real cat stories & community features

Weird Cat Behaviors That Actually Make Perfect Sense

We have been sharing our lives with cats for thousands of years, yet we still find ourselves genuinely stumped by what they get...

The Dream of Talking to Cats Just Got Closer to Becoming a Reality

If you’ve ever wished your cat could simply tell you what they wanted, you’re not alone. From the meow that wakes you before...

Kizzy: The Feline Princess With a Purpose

We were first introduced to Miss Kizzy after she won a licky-treat challenge hosted by Professor Fluffovich, our resident feline research specialist. While...

Chatting With Sally About Mission Meow & Helping Cat Rescue Organizations Collaborate | Chatty Cattys, Episode 24

In this episode of Catster’s podcast, Chatty Cattys, Nicole and Dr. Karyn sit down with Sally Williams, the founder of Mission Meow, for...

More related

Can a Flea Collar Make a Cat Sick? Vet-Reviewed Risks & Considerations

Flea collars can seem quite convenient, but many of them do not work well. For one thing, some do not have proven ingredients...

15 Cat Statistics & Facts All Cat Lovers Should Know (Vet-Verified 2026 Update)

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website. It’s amazing how many cat lovers...

How Old Do You Need to Be to Adopt a Cat? Vet-Reviewed Guidelines & Info

Adopting a cat is a process that involves planning and preparation, as well as the signing of documents. Because of this, most shelters...

How to Kitten-Proof Your Home: Keeping Them Safe

The day you get your kitten can be incredibly exciting and a little overwhelming. Kittens are incredibly curious and explorative little creatures. Kitten-proofing...

Keep reading

Can Cats Eat Seaweed? Vet-Approved Nutrition Facts & FAQ

It is no secret that most cats are fans of fish, and if you have a particularly keen cat, they might try to scoop fish out of your fish tank! Tuna and cats, for example, have been linked for generations....

Can Cats Eat Seaweed

Do Cats Have Good Memory? Vet Approved Feline Memory Facts

Living with a cat is sure to create many fond memories. While we can recall these fun and enjoyable memories, it’s not clear if cats also can. Cats are intelligent animals that have a good sense of memory, but it’s...

cat resting with owner on sofa at home

How Long Does It Take to Train a Cat? 5 Vet-Approved Tips to Speed Up the Process

Training a cat might sound impossible, especially if you’ve ever owned one before (we know how stubborn they can be!). But the truth is that cats are highly intelligent and can be trained easily with the right approach. There is...

Young woman holding meat teaching training calico cat

How to Remove a Tick From a Cat: Vet-Approved Steps & Advice

Removing a tick from a cat is not difficult, but it may not be as easy as you think. The hardest part is keeping your cat still, but the process is quite simple with a tick removal tool. You must...

removed tick from cat

How to Brush a Cat: 8 Vet-Verified Steps

Whether you’re trying to control shedding or looking for a way to bond with your cat, brushing is an essential part of caring for your pet. Some cats naturally love the activity, while others hide at the first sight of...

woman brushing the Persian cat

Why Does My Cat Kick Litter Out of the Box? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cat owners all over the world are familiar with that awful feeling of stepping barefoot on small litter pebbles, which is usually followed by an explosive, “Why?!” Cats kicking litter out of their box is a behavior that flummoxes many...

orange cat beside litter box

Why Does My Cat Chew on Cardboard Boxes? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Some cats are chewers, and some not so much. Cats that enjoy a good chewing session might gravitate to cardboard boxes. They are everywhere and can be everything from your cereal boxes, to your moving boxes, to your goodies that...

playful tabby cat looking in cardboard box

Fever Coat in Kittens: What Is It? Vet Reviewed Science & Facts (With Pictures)

Do you have a kitten that seems to have mysteriously changed colors? If so, they may have a fever coat. Although “fever coat” may sound scary, it is nothing to worry about and does not harm your kitten. Although it’s...

gray kitten plays on floor

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.