# Why do cats sit on things we're reading? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 25, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-on-things-were-reading/656635 "2013-04-25T01:11:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-on-things-were-reading/656635/21 "2013-04-25T18:48:54Z")
As I sit at my desk here in my office, our cat invariably jumps on the desk to my right, mashes her face against some ham radios, then walks over and lays on my hand whether I’m mousing or typing. She will fully sprawl over both hands on the keyboard and just look off into the distance like she’s waiting for ship on horizon. She pays no attention to me, however she will accept scritches for up to 9 hours at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-on-things-were-reading/656635/22 "2013-04-25T19:27:15Z")
It’s a cultural thing. Humans in general consider it rude when someone else deliberately blocks their field of vision, especially when it is clear doing so is an interruption (for a practical experiment, next time you’re at the movies stand up and turn around and stare at the person behind you). Cats don’t share that taboo. Therefore, they don’t consider it an offense, or even a thing at all. If they want your attention, they just place themselves in front of your eyes, and if you’re sitting still that might mean getting on your book, newspaper, or laptop. When I’m online paying bills, my panther will stand in my lap and give me hugs (ya, arms around the neck hugs)/chin bites/face rubs, etc. and then occupy my lap until I get up to do something else. This makes up for the times when he knocks a slice of pizza out of my hand so he can get some. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-on-things-were-reading/656635/23 "2013-04-25T19:43:44Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > But if they aren’t completely obtuse, they can be trained otherwise. I got my black lab to find hidden treats by pointing to where they were located. I didn’t have to train my border collie that. I just point and he goes. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-on-things-were-reading/656635/24 "2013-04-25T19:49:05Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Yep. Whenever I come home from the grocery store, I’ll set the bags down on the kitchen floor; the cats are there in short order to inspect the new inventory. > > Also, my cats don’t care for people food but that doesn’t stop them from sniffing around my plate every damn time I sit down to eat. I guess they fancy themselves food inspectors too. Food critics, actually. My cats will politely ask for some if they decide we didn’t completely botch the cooking job (starting with cooking something a cat would be interested in). And by “ask politely”, I mean pulling themselves upright and tapping people on the elbow or putting a paw up on the table. And meowing somewhat piteously, in the case of my old tomcat. Our other cat (a younger and more elegant girl kitty) probably things this begging is beneath the dignity of a cat, because she’s come along and nipped his ankles while he’s doing that. She’s a bit of a feline rights agitator. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-on-things-were-reading/656635/25 "2013-04-25T20:23:59Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Or maybe they have to get close to hear you because you’re whispering to them all the goddamned time. Speak up, dammit! :D\ Nah, they like the whispering. It tickles their big ol’ ears. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-on-things-were-reading/656635.md?page=1)