Why do cats like sitting on things? Six reasons, plainly

Why do cats like sitting on things? Cats Protection, the UK cat charity, gives six reasons a cat picks its spot: warmth, comfort, smell, safety, being close to you, and curiosity about something new. That covers the laptop, the newspaper, the pile of laundry and the box the shopping came in. This guide sets out each reason in the charity's own terms, what the "cat loaf" means, and when an odd spot is worth a call to the vet.

Everything here comes from Cats Protection's guide "Why do cats like sitting on things?", opened for this article, with one point from its guide to why cats love boxes.

Why do cats like sitting on things? The six reasons

The charity says cats have a remarkable talent for finding unusual places to sit or lie: your lap or chest, laptops or paper, boxes, laundry, even the bath or the sink. Here is why.

Six reasons a cat picks its spot, from Cats Protection's guide.

1. Warmth

Cats are warm-blooded and love a cosy place, especially in winter. Cats Protection lists the warm spots: laptops and other electrical appliances, radiators and underfloor heating, sunny patches, your lap, and the places you have just been sitting.

2. Comfort

Soft surfaces are hard for a cat to resist: blankets, bedding and clothes. The charity adds that some fabrics are ideal for kneading, a natural behaviour cats find comforting. Our guide to why cats knead covers it.

3. Smell

Scent is one of the main ways cats communicate. Cats Protection says they rub the scent glands on their face, body and paws onto objects, which marks them as safe, and a cat may then choose to sit on something that carries its scent.

Your scent can work the same way. If your cat is bonded with you, it may link your smell with safety, which is why it settles on your lap or your unwashed laundry. Cats are also very clean, the charity says, so freshly washed laundry is tempting too.

4. Safety

Cats are both predator and prey, so they are always wary. Cats Protection says they often feel safest hidden from view: in a box, in the wardrobe, under the bed or in the bath, especially when anxious or stressed. Its advice is not to disturb a hiding cat, and to let it come out in its own time.

Cats also feel safer off the ground, with a good view of their surroundings. Windowsills, shelves, furniture and sinks all work, and spots by a window are popular because they show what is happening outside.

5. Close to you

A cat that likes fuss may sit where it is most likely to get your attention. The charity names the prime spots: the laptop you are using, the paper you are reading, the chair you are sitting on, and your lap.

6. Novelty

Cats are curious. When something new arrives, such as a carrier bag, a box, a new piece of furniture or even a new person, a cat may want to investigate. If it decides the thing is harmless, Cats Protection says, it may sit on it to transfer its scent and mark it as safe.

Why do cats sit like a loaf?

The "cat loaf" is when a cat sits with its paws and tail tucked completely under its body, in a shape a bit like a loaf of bread. Cats Protection says this is different from a crouch, where the paw pads touch the floor, and that it is a normal way for cats to sit.

It gives three reasons. The loaf keeps the paws and tail warm under the body. It must be comfortable, or the cat would sit another way. And it shows the cat feels safe: with its legs tucked away it cannot make a quick getaway, so a cat usually only sits like this when it feels completely safe.

Why is my cat sitting in the litter box?

This one deserves a closer look. Cats Protection says it could be another odd perch chosen for comfort or safety. But it lists other possible reasons: toileting problems such as urinary tract issues or constipation, guarding the litter box from other pets in the home, difficulty getting out because of mobility problems or pain, and, more often in older cats, cognitive decline. If sitting in the litter box is new and unusual for your cat, the charity says to speak to your vet, since there could be a medical cause.

A room-by-room check of your cat's favourite spots

Here is a simple way to read your own cat, using the six reasons above.

1. List the spots: walk round your home and note where your cat sits most: a windowsill, the laptop, a radiator, the laundry basket, a box.
2. Match each to a reason: a radiator or sunny patch is warmth; a blanket is comfort; your laundry is smell; under the bed is safety; the laptop you are using is attention; the new bag is novelty.
3. Look for hiding: if your cat often hides away, the charity's advice is to leave it alone and let it come out in its own time.
4. Offer a better version: a box on its side by a window gives a hidden spot and, as the charity's guide to cats and boxes notes, a raised lookout too.
5. Check the odd one: if the spot is the litter box and that is new for your cat, speak to your vet.

What perches tell you about the cats you meet outside

The same reasons show up outdoors. A cat up high with a good view, or tucked out of sight, is doing what Cats Protection describes: keeping itself safe. A cat sitting in a loaf on a wall is one that feels safe where it is. Either way, it is best left in its spot. Our guide on how to approach a cat you don't know sets out what cat charities advise.

Cat Go is a game that plays in your web browser, built around those outdoor cats: "Walk anywhere, photograph a real cat, lure it with food and catch it." You catch a cat by taking its photo, and the treats are in the game, so there is no need to go closer.

Cat Go's map, where each catch is recorded with the place you found the cat.

The camera screen says "Fit the whole cat in the frame", and a cat sitting still on its perch makes that easy. When you toss in-game treats, the game warns that "Cats you've startled leave quickly. Stay calm with your tosses."

Frequently asked questions

Why does my cat sit on my laptop?

Cats Protection gives two likely reasons: laptops give off warmth, and sitting on the one you are using is a good way to get your attention.

Why does my cat sit on my clothes?

The charity says soft fabrics are comfortable, and a bonded cat may link your scent with safety, so your unwashed laundry is a favourite. Fresh laundry appeals too.

What does it mean when a cat sits like a loaf?

Cats Protection says the loaf keeps the paws and tail warm and shows the cat feels completely safe, since it cannot make a quick getaway from that position.

Why does my cat sit in the litter box?

It may be comfort or safety, but the charity also lists toileting problems, mobility problems or pain, and guarding the box. If it is new, speak to your vet.

Get started

Walk round your home and note your cat's three favourite spots, then match each to a reason. And on your next walk, look up: the cats in your street are often watching from somewhere high.

Play Cat Go in your browser: walk anywhere, photograph a real cat, lure it with food and catch it.