Cat owners the world over will be familiar with the scene: When you’re sitting in your favorite chair, you suddenly get up to grab something, and your cat immediately jumps up and grabs your seat.
Happily settled in their new place, they curl up and get comfortable, then settle down and purr for their daytime nap. They might even be there for hours!
So, why does your cat just need to occupy your place when you get up, even though their very comfortable (and expensive!) cat bed is nearby?
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why our cats steal our seats with no guilt or shame—the answers may make you more tolerant of this irritating behavior!
They love warmth!
Our domestic cats originated from wild cats on the African savannah, and although this has been many, many generations ago, most cats still prefer warm places. Think of where cats usually hang out: somewhere in the sun, curled up near a heater, under a blanket on a cozy bed…anywhere warmed up by your body, of course.
Body temperature drops when cats sleep as the body shuts down non-essential functions, and cats naturally gravitate toward warmer sleeping areas to counteract this. Cats have very sensitive paws that can sense temperature changes and detect warm areas with ease, and they are always quick to take advantage of cozy spots for naps.
Also read: Why do cats roll in the dirt? 9 reasons why!
comfortable smell
When your cat steals your seat, part of what draws you is the warmth of your body and the comfort of your scent.
Cats have an excellent sense of smell, much better than ours. For example, cats can sniff out catnip from across the house!
Smell plays a huge role in a cat’s behavior and health. Cats use scent to alert them to danger and to reassure them. They also use chemical signals called pheromones, along with body language and gestures, as one of their main forms of communication.
Cats like to smell in layers. They sit on your chair after you’ve used it, mixing their scent with that of the pet owner. Cats see themselves as part of your family and this blend of scents makes them feel comfortable and reassured.
Cats are always looking for a good way to share a scent, and when you get up, they know that your favorite chair smells of your cat’s favorite scent: you. Even better if you come back and hug them! That’s why you might find your house cat purring on the side of your bed in the middle of the night – don’t you just love cats?
Also read: How to get rid of cat urine smell?
Safety
Cats are alert animals with a strong survival instinct. When cats are sleeping, they are at their most vulnerable. Therefore, they like to choose a safe place to take a nap. Our human chairs are raised from the ground and are typically protected on three sides by a high back and armrests, so they offer more protection than standard cat beds placed on the floor.
A cat can curl up in a chair and still have a good view of the room and feel like it’s in a vantage point. Cats are also cunning: they see you looking relaxed and happy in your favorite chair, and realize that it’s also a good place for cats to sleep – and they’d be more than happy to take it from you!
Also read: Can You Shave a Cat?
territory
When your cat sees you sitting comfortably, they will love to take advantage of your great options.
Cats are very territorial. Feral cats have an outer territory, which is where they patrol and hunt, and which is often contested by nearby rivals. Cats also have a core territory, where they sleep and eat. Domestic cats may have smaller territories, and often no outer territories at all, but they still use pheromone scent communication to mark their key areas.
Pet owners consider their cats part of the family and vice versa, so cats use pheromones to mark their owners and their favorite spaces as “safe.” That’s why they often headbutt you, or run across your legs, using the pheromones released from their faces to mark you as part of their gang.
Pheromones fade over time and require constant reapplication. When you get up from your chair, your cats may take the opportunity to rub up on your territory, leaving scent marks to tell themselves and their group that this is a desirable and safe area.
Also read: How Do Cats Mark Their Territory?
attract attention
Stealing your location could lead you to their attention
If you’ve heard the saying “any news is good news,” it applies equally to cats and the reactions they get from their owners. If your cat loves attention, they’ll quickly learn what gets them attention—even if the reaction is negative.
Grabbing your spot might get their attention: a hug, an attempt to distract with a toy, maybe even some cat food! At the very least, even just picking up your cats to move them is considered contact.
This is common with cats that are more difficult to keep (like mine!): they follow you around, meow loudly when neglected, and they might even jump on my head if I don’t react fast enough!
Also read: 12 of the best cat toys: Keep your cat healthy and happy with these irresistible toys
How do I stop my cat from sitting on my seat?
Taking back your seat from a determined cat isn’t always easy, but there are a few things you can try.
Now that we know why cats have this somewhat annoying behavior, can we stop them? Well, this can be tricky. It’s perfectly normal for cats to steal our seats when we wake up – they’re attracted to the warmth, safety, and smells and pheromones associated with these warm places.
If this gets worse for you, try making a bed for them near you, heat it up (use a heating pad to heat the bed, but keep your cat out of direct contact with it to avoid burns), and be in Put a piece of clothing that smells like you. Reward your cats when they use the bed, and if it meets all of their criteria, they’re likely to accept it.
Otherwise, enjoy the strange quirks of our feline friends, indulge in a cuddle, and relax, because when your cat boldly sits in a stolen seat, it’s complimenting you!
Also Read: The 8 Best Cat Trees of 2022
frequently asked questions
What does it mean when a cat sits in your seat?
When cats steal your seat, they’re usually taking advantage of the warmth you’ve left sitting on it. They may also be attracted to the cozy smell and sense of security your chair brings them.
Why is my cat taking my place?
Your place will be warm and smell like you, which is attractive to cats. They may also mark your location with their pheromones and scent cues that tell your cat that you are part of their bonding group.
Why is my cat stealing from me?
If your cat has feelings for you, they will likely be attracted to something that smells like you, as it will comfort your cat. They may also be doing it to get a reaction – cats love attention!
Why is my cat lying in my place on the bed?
Your place in the bed will be warm and smell like you — two things your cat loves. Your cats also mix your scent with theirs, which is an important part of cat behavior with close family members.
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