Are you the owner of a lovely and precious cat? Then your cat might be blocking the display of this page and ruining everything again, especially if you are reading this page on a laptop.
But what is the reason behind this behavior? Why are cats so obsessed with our computers?
Unfortunately, no large-scale (and probably highly impractical) scientific experiments have yet been conducted to delve into this question, but experts in cat behavior do have an important theory that might explain keyboard cats.
Why does my cat sit on my laptop?
Unfortunately, it’s probably not a case of imitation behavior — your cat just sees you typing and doesn’t want to join in.
Indeed, recent research suggests that felines can mimic human behavior. Cats can map their bodies onto humans to repeat actions(For example, touching the box with the head or a specific limb).
but, Dr. David Sands – Animal Psychology Expert with over 25 years of clinical experience – Cats cannot easily imitate the behavior of typing, so your cat probably won’t be interested if you tempt him with a decoy old laptop.
Read more about cats:
It’s also unlikely that cats are attracted solely to the heat emitted by laptops: “Yes, laptops do generate heat, and cats do like warm places, but you need to ask why a cat wouldn’t sit next to a radiator, for example,” Sands says.
What really makes your laptop attractive to cats is its smell — or, more specifically, the smell you keep on it.
“You can’t smell it, but your cat can smell you all over the keyboard,” Sands says.
“Cats are olfactory machines, from the tip of their tail to the tip of their nose. Their world revolves around smells. Their eyesight is developed for nocturnal hunting, and their sense of smell is Really Other times it matters.”
But while it’s possible that your cat is sitting on your computer because it enjoys the smell, Sands says another explanation is far more likely.
“Your cat is most likely trying to steal your scent by leaving his own scent on you. It’s a matter of ownership. By doing this, your cat is essentially saying, ‘You’re mine!'”
“People often think that when a cat rubs itself against you or the objects you touch it’s an affectionate sign, but in reality cats are very possessive creatures. The more they rub against you and leave your scent behind, the better!”
In case you’re wondering whether cats are desperately trying to become the dominant force in the home, Sands adds: “Dogs have been bred to be companions to humans, but cats have also become quite feral. Cats have been bred primarily for pest control, so they are selfish creatures rather than sociable animals.”
“Remember, cats are evil geniuses. They James Bond There’s a reason to watch movies.”
Is it unhealthy for my cat to sit on my laptop?
From making you close important documents without saving to sending your boss another “s,ll,;;;;;l;mk” message, a cat snuggling on your laptop can take a huge toll on you. If your cat is getting in the way of your work, Sands recommends cleaning your laptop regularly.
But your cat is unlikely to be harmed by lounging on your computer: “Physically, it’s not harmful, and cognitively, it’s only something to be concerned about if this behavior occurs with other cats,” he says.
“If your cat meows a lot and follows you around the house, it could be a sign of anxiety or attention-seeking.”
But what if your cat isn’t showing these signs? There’s no reason why your cat can’t lie on your keyboard – it owns it, and everything else in your home.
About our Expert, Dr. David Sands
Sands has a PhD in Ethology (Animal Psychology) from the University of Liverpool and has over 25 years of experience in animal behaviour clinics. He is a member of the Canine and Cat Behavioural Association (CFBA) and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). Sands is also the author of several books. 500 Questions About Cats AnsweredHamlin, 4 pounds).
Read more about cat science
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
