Discover why cats sit or lie on your lap, laptop, laundry and other random items around the home

Cats often have a remarkable talent for finding unusual places to sit or lie. Whether it’s on your lap or chest, on laptops or paper, in boxes, on a pile of laundry or even in the bathtub or sink. Why do cats pick these peculiar spots? Discover their reasons for choosing the perfect place to perch.

1. Warmth

Cats are warm-blooded creatures and love to find a cosy place to sit or snooze, especially in winter. All these places are ideal as they radiate heat to keep their body temperature warm:

• laptops and other electrical appliances
• radiators and other heat sources such as underfloor heating
• sunlit spots
• your lap and places you've recently been sitting 

Find out how to keep your cat warm.

2. Comfort

Soft surfaces are often irresistible to cats. This includes:

• blankets
• bedding
• clothing

They make a comfy and warm place to rest. Some fabrics are also ideal for kneading with their claws. This is a natural behaviour that cats find comforting. Find out why cats knead. 

3. Smell

Scent is important to cats as it’s one of the main ways they communicate. They rub the scent glands on their face, body and paws onto objects to transfer their scent. This marks the area as safe. If they’ve transferred their scent onto an object, they might be attracted to sit on it as they know it’s safe. If they are bonded with you and know you can be trusted, they might associate your scent with safety. They will then find comfort in sitting on your lap or on objects that smell like you, such as your unwashed laundry. Cats are also very clean creatures, so freshly washed laundry and bedding can be an attractive place for a nap. 

4. Safety

Cats are both a predator and prey species. This means they are constantly wary of potential dangers around them. Cats often feel safest when they are hidden from view. Good hiding places include:

• a cardboard box
• in the wardrobe
• under the bed 
• in the bathtub

You might find them in these hiding places, particularly when they are feeling anxious or stressed. Don’t disturb them if they are hiding away and leave them to come out in their own time.

Cats also feel safer when they are off the ground. This gives them a good view of their surroundings to help them watch out for potential threats. These high-up places are ideal places to perch:

• windowsills
• shelves
• furniture 
• sinks

Spots next to windows can also be popular as they can get a good view of what’s happening outside. Find out more about cats and hiding. 

5. Close to you

If your cat likes fuss and strokes, they may choose to sit somewhere that will increase their chances of getting your attention. These are all prime positions for getting in your way so you give them a chin rub:

• the laptop you’re using
• the paper you’re reading
• the chair you’re sitting on
• your lap 

6. Novelty

Cats are curious creatures. When a new object arrives in their home, they may want to investigate it. This could include:

• a carrier bag
• a cardboard box
• a new piece of furniture 
• a person

If their initial inspection identifies the object as harmless, they might decide to sit on it. This will transfer their scent and mark it as safe. 

Why do cats sit like a loaf?

The ‘cat loaf’ is a popular sitting position for many cats. This is when they sit with their paws and tail tucked completely beneath their body, forming a shape a bit like a loaf of bread. This is different from sitting in a crouched position, where their paw pads are in contact with the floor.

The cat loaf is a normal way for cats to sit and there are few reasons why they might like it:

1. Warmth. The loaf position is an efficient way for cats to keep warm. They tuck their paws and tail underneath their body to use their body heat to keep these extremities warm. 
2. Comfort. If a cat chooses to sit in this position regularly, then they must find it comfortable. Otherwise they would choose to sit in a different way. The cat loaf must be a comfy way to sit. 
3. They feel safe. Cats usually like to be ready to run at a moment’s notice, even when they’re snoozing, so they can escape from any danger. Sleeping in the loaf position isn’t ideal for a quick getaway, as their legs are tucked away. They will usually only sit in this position if they feel completely safe. 

Why is my cat sitting in the litter box?

Cats are known for choosing unusual places to sit. Sitting in the litter box could be another random perch they’ve chosen because it fulfils one of the reasons mentioned above. It could be comfy or they feel safe there. But there could be other reasons why your cat is choosing to sit or sleep in the litter box:

• problems with toileting, such as urinary tract issues or constipation 
• guarding the litter box from other pets in the home
• difficulty getting out of the litter box due to mobility issues or being in pain
• cognitive decline, more common in older cats, leading to confusion and behaviour changes 

If sitting in the litter box is a new and unusual behaviour for your cat, speak to your vet for advice. There could be a medical cause for this behaviour. Make sure that you are providing the right type of litter box for your cat by following our advice about cats and toileting.