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Cats have some pretty funny habits! They follow us into the bathroom, sleep in funny positions, and somehow fit into tiny boxes. But now, with more people working from home, cats have a new silly habit: sitting, laying, or walking on keyboards.
Cats sit and sleep on our keyboards to be close to us, ask for attention, express curiosity, and warm up, says Amanda Caron, a cat behaviorist and founder of Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling. Even though this behavior is cute, it can distract you and might mean you need to get your cat to move somewhere else.
Keep reading to learn why cats like keyboards and how to get them to play with something else.
1. They Want To Be Close To You
The average American spends 3 hours 28 minutes on their desktop computers and laptops daily. When we’re using our computers, we tend to sit still. Caron says that’s part of the appeal for cats.
Cats walk across or lay on keyboards for the same reason they sit next to us on the couch or curl up in our laps when we watch TV—they want to be close to us and show they’re happy!
Besides enjoying being near us, Caron says some cats also like watching our hands type, seeing the mouse move, or watching things change on the screen..
2. They’re Seeking Your Attention
When cats are bored, they might try to get in the middle of what you’re doing to get your attention.
These playful cats can jump into your lap and cause a little trouble. They might run across your keyboard, paw at your hands while you’re typing, knock things over, or even chew on wires or your mouse pad.
3. They’re Curious
Cats are known for being curious. They love to explore anything that catches their eye, like keyboards!
For us, keyboards are just ordinary tools, but to cats, they’re full of interesting things! The feel of the keys, the smells we leave behind, the clicking sounds, and even the lights from gaming keyboards can be fascinating, especially for cats who love chasing laser pointers.
4. They Like the Warmth
From sunbathing on the floor to napping in a cozy cave bed, cats love finding warm spots to sleep.
While our computers and keyboards aren’t as hot as sunshine, they do give off heat when we use them, making them a perfect warm spot for cats to nap.
5. They Want To Be Up High
With standing desks on the rise for casual or work-from-home setups, your laptop or keyboard might be one of the highest places in your house. Cats love to climb and be in high places.
If your computer is near a window with sunshine and birds outside, your cat might be more interested in the view than in your typing!
How to Keep Your Cat Off Your Keyboard
If your cat won’t stop jumping on your keyboard or laptop, here are some easy ways to help.
Give your cat a decoy laptop
Some people on TikTok and Twitter say a fun trick is to give your cat their own laptop!
Joey Lusvardi, a cat behaviorist and founder of Class Act Cats, tried this with his cat, Zoloft. He found that the decoy laptop worked like a charm!
A fake laptop works because it gives your cat something else to lie on. If you have an old laptop, you can keep it for your cat. If not, there are cat toys shaped like laptops or even laptop-shaped cardboard scratchers. This trick can really help keep your cat off your real laptop!
Avoid accidentally reinforce their behavior
Cats learn through patterns. Caron warns pet parents not to reinforce their keyboard behavior accidentally.
For example, Caron says If your cat jumps on your keyboard and you pet them before telling them to get down, they’ll think jumping up means they get attention. This makes them more likely to keep doing it.
Instead, try saying “no,” “off,” or “get down,” and move them without giving any pets or treats.
iStock/Sonja Filitz
Redirect them to other toys and sleep spots
A fake laptop is just one way to help. You could also try putting a cat tree or bed near your desk if your cat likes being up high.
If your cat loves the warmth from your laptop, you could set up a heated bed nearby. The goal is to give your cat a better place to relax than your keyboard.
Establish boundaries
“If your cat is allowed on your desk when you’re watching videos or gaming, you can’t expect them to know it’s not okay when you are working,” Caron says.
Cats, like young kids, get confused when rules change. If you send mixed messages, your cat might start causing more trouble when you’re using your computer. Keep the rules the same every time.
Play with your cat to fight boredom
If your cat jumps on your keyboard because they’re bored, try giving them some fun activities. You could set up a tablet with cat videos near your desk to keep them busy.
But the best way to help is through playtime! Cats like routine, so try playing with your cat before and after you work on your laptop. This can keep them entertained and less likely to bother you while you work. Here are some of the best types of cat toys to keep your cat boredom-free:
