Have you ever wondered why your furry dictator suddenly turns into an obstacle between you and your laptop screen?
While you're trying to finish a report or look at memes, the cat sits proudly on the keyboard as if it were his rightful throne.
Scientists are in no hurry to give definitive answers, but your pet's secret motives have already been revealed.
The main myth is that cats seek warmth. Yes, the laptop heats up, but isn't a radiator or a sunny windowsill more comfortable?
It's much more cunning. Your scent, which is absorbed by the equipment, is what attracts the cat. These creatures are geniuses of smell. Every time you touch the keyboard, particles of your aroma remain on it.
For a cat, this is like a signal: "The owner is here!" And she hurries to cover your scent with her own, marking the territory. Just as they rub against legs or furniture, pets leave invisible marks with the help of glands on their muzzles and paws.
This is not love, but pure possessiveness: “This is my keyboard, my person, my universe!”
Another reason is your attention. Cats understand perfectly well: if they jump on your laptop, you will immediately switch to them.
Even if it is a cry of "How much more?!", for a cat it is a dialogue. Zoo psychologists confirm: animals quickly learn to manipulate in order to get affection or play. They perceive your attempts to drive them away with your hand as interaction.
What about sounds and movement? Imagine: keys are clicking, the cursor is flickering on the screen - for a predator it's like a mini-hunt.
Some cats even try to "catch" letters or a cursor, mistaking them for prey. And yes, the vibrations from the device are also attractive - they resemble purring or a heartbeat, creating the illusion of safety.
So how do you get your laptop back? The first step is to create “competition.” Place a heated bed or a cardboard box covered with your old T-shirt nearby. Every time your pet chooses the bed over the keyboard, reward him with a treat.
The second step is to make your laptop unattractive. Close it when you're not using it, and place a sheet of foil or double-sided tape next to it when you're working — cats hate these textures.
And remember: cats are masters of theatrical gestures. If your Murzik lies down on the keyboard again, maybe he’s just reminding you: “Hey, you haven’t scratched my ear in a while!”
Sometimes the best way to save your laptop is to spend five minutes playing a game and then get back to work. After all, who else but them teaches us to value breaks?
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya