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Your scent. You spend a lot of typing on the keys. Even though you don’t notice your scent, your cat does! They may be attracted to your keyboard because they’re drawn to you. After all, with over 200 million scent receptors, smell is the primary way cats identify people and objects.
Their scent. As noted, cats are all about smell, and they may be marking your keyboard with their scent to let other cats and animals know that they own the keyboard… and you.
Attention. Some cats meow for attention while others will invade your space, plunking themselves on your lap or in this case, your keyboard. And if you give them attention by playing a game or petting them, they’ll learn that sitting on your keyboard gets them what they want.
Stalking. Your cat watches you settle in at your desk, become quiet, focus intently on your screen and type away. All of these actions may trigger a hunting instinct in your cat. They may be watching and waiting for prey to appear, and your typing may represent the stimulus to chase. Your cat might also just think you're playing and wants to join in the fun.
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Recent research suggests that cats imitate human behavior. Maybe your cat really is trying to type a message!
Want to keep your cat off the keyboard?
While lying on the keyboard won’t do your cat any harm, it can be annoying! To stop this behavior, try doing the following:
1. Clean your keyboard regularly.
2. Use positive reinforcement to bond with your cat before you sit down at the computer.
3. Provide environmental enrichment to keep your cat entertained when you must concentrate on the screen.
4. Create an area for your cat to relax that’s more appealing than your keyboard, such as a cat tree where they can perch.
If your cat’s keyboard surfing is occurring with other new behaviors like vocalizing and following you around your home, it could be a sign of anxiety and attention seeking. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out a medical condition.
*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
*Covered services vary by plan. Unlimited exams exclude specialty and telemedicine exams. Plan includes (i) one Specialty Care consult at a participating VCA Specialty Hospital and (ii) one waived fee (up to $300) for an emergency or specialty consult at a participating BluePearl Pet Hospital, per year. Fees will apply for other services or products provided, including emergency stabilization, treatment, diagnostic tests, medications, and hospitalization. Plan pricing requires 12-month commitment.
CareClub Memberships are preventive pet health care plans and not pet insurance.
CareClub Membership covers only the selected health care services and products which are specifically identified in the applicable CareClub Membership agreement.
VCA Animal Hospitals, BluePearl Pet Hospitals, and Banfield Pet Hospitals are affiliates of Mars Inc.
**Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Free First Exam only for new clients (including those not seen in 3+ years) and eligible existing clients adding a new pet. Limit two pets (dogs or cats only) per household. The exam includes a status check on weight, nutrition and general health, parasite discussion, dental check and vaccination overview only. Not valid toward any other services including: any specialty, emergency, telemedicine and/or urgent care veterinary services; boarding or grooming services; any diagnostics or treatments; or any vaccines, medications or retail items. Not to be combined with any other offer. Redeemable only at the VCA Animal Hospitals location listed. For pet owners who are aged 18 and older. No cash value.
Florida Residents: THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.
NJ Residents: First Exam Regular Price Range: $75 to $150. NJ Licensee: Anthony Loomis, DVM.
Free First Dose offer valid for new patients receiving a qualifying initial exam at participating VCA Animal Hospitals. Offer applies only where an eligible parasite prevention product included in the program is prescribed and dispensed during the visit, as determined by the attending veterinarian. Eligible products only; not valid toward other products or services. Limit two pets (dogs or cats only) per household. Not combinable with other offers. Must be 18 years or older. No cash value.
