Why do cats like to sit on newspapers and magazines?
Caroline Peters
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Wokingham, Berkshire, UK
Cats love things that are square or rectangular. Not only do newspapers and magazines fulfil this requirement, but a pile of papers also acts as insulation between the cat and the surface on which the newspaper is laid, so it feels warm.
Of course, if you are trying to read the paper, then the reason is that your cat just wants your attention. They will also sit on any work papers and computer keyboards for the same reason.
Lastly, if the cat is sitting on a copy of New Scientist, then it is looking to see whether its paper on gravity experiments (“Investigation of the effect of feline paw trajectory on pen propulsion”) has been published!
David Muir
Edinburgh, UK
Cats are innately expert at appreciating the heat insulating properties of materials. They seek out the places that help them to retain body heat. This may be an evolutionary adaptation to allow them to do less hunting, which is energetically expensive.
On the other anthropomorphic hand, cats may simply like luxuriating in warmth and comfort, just like us. Try lying naked on sheet metal, bathroom tiles or concrete (preferably while in a private place) – it isn’t conducive to contentment.
Generally, cats’ choice of newspaper seems an excellent balance of good insulation with no jaggy or tickly bits.
Try lying naked on sheet metal, bathroom tiles or concrete, preferably in a private place – not conducive to contentment
H. A. White, Jr
St Paul, Minnesota, US
Long ago, I hosted a cat prone to giving loud, lengthy warnings of an imminent upchuck. One evening, so warned, I placed him on a newspaper, holding and comforting him while he conveyed his rejects to the paper, a veritable letter to the editor. From then until his demise, years later, several times a week I would discover a newspaper covered in cat opinion. And that’s why cats like to sit on newspapers.
Ametrine Lavender
Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK
The book (Ladybirds for Grown-Ups) tells us that once the owner has indicated which book or magazine is interesting, by leaving it open, the cat sits on it and “reads through its bottom”. I think this goes a long way to solving that mystery, and I highly recommend this delightful little book to all who observe cats.
John Homes
Via email
Because people will persist in paying attention to the newspapers and magazines, when they should (at least in the cat’s opinion) be paying attention to the cat.
Dan Conine
Via email
Why do cats what?
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