Thursday, January 31, 2008

Thinkin' on Thursday

Kimo: We gits a weekly online newsletter from Dr. Jon at Petplace.com. Sometimes he gots furry interesting topics to discuss.

Sabi: But this week we fink he spent way too much time on his answer, which you can read below. If you want our "down and dirty" answer, you can skip to da end of the post.

Kimo: You can visit Petplace.com and sign up fer da free weekly newsletter - there are always some interesting topics, from health care, to best cat toys, etc. Enjoy!

Why Does My Cat Lie in the 
Middle of My Newspaper?
By Dr. Jon, of PetPlace.com

"I ran into a neighbor in the store the other day and he asked me, "Why does my cat lie on everything". I don't know if this has happened to you but imagine this... you are sitting at the table reading the paper and the printed page turns into a furry, purring kitty - and you are not able to read any more.

Or you are sitting at your desk working on your computer. And before long you can't find the mouse - or the keyboard - or whatever it is you are using. Instead your sleepy feline is curled up and all tucked in right on the subject of your interest - and you're not able to continue your project.

Or, you are getting ready for work and you pull out your black suit to wear that day and lay it on the bed. You go back into the closet for a matching shirt, and when you come out your crafty cat is kneading the clothing into shape for a nice nap - and you are not able to wear that piece anymore.

Does any of this sound familiar? I think if you put a piece of paper in the middle of a football stadium, a cat would soon come and lie on it. Cats like to lie on things - pieces of paper, folded towels, clothing, whatever.

A while back, I asked one of our wonderful PetPlace.com writers to come up with a series of article on why cats do this... and that. Our writer did an article on just this topic and I want to share that with you today!

There are several possible reasons for this. For one thing, cats like to be near us. They know that if they plop themselves right under our noses, so to speak, they will get attention, and usually good attention. Cats have a need for warmth and security, and this fills their need. They also want to leave their scent on anything that belongs to us because it makes them feel more secure.

Cats also like small spaces, and that might explain why they will pick a small defined area like a folded towel or skirt on a larger area like the bed. It might be just instinct - or it might be that need for warmth that draws them to an added certain texture of material.

Whatever the reason, it's just another fascinating aspect of your cat's behavior for you to observe. So when your kitty is suddenly lying on your newspaper right under your nose, take advantage of this compliment and pay her some attention. The quirkiness of cats is just one of the reasons we love them and find them so fascinating."


Sabi: So, our answer to "Why Does My Cat Lie in the Middle of My Newspaper?" is, . . .
Because s/he can! Duhr!

Kimo: P.S. Dr. Jon - Just so's ya know, cats don't lie.

30 comments:

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Cats just do! They know what you are looking at and working on and they would pick that particular bit of paper to curl up on.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

We like your answer, Kimo and Sabi. :) Everything in the house belongs to us cats, so of course we lie on whatever we find!

Isis said...

Oh you'z two have a much better explanation than the Dr! Perhaps you could get a job writing his column in future?!

Purrs,
Isis

Daisy said...

That is very interesting! And it is so true. If there is even so much as a Kleenex on a counter, that's where I will sit.

Ramses said...

You'z much smarter than that Dr man! :)

Monty Q. Kat said...

To read the comics, of course!

Diamond Emerald-Eyes said...

I just figure if I put my body where ever the human has her attention turned, then I will get her attention instead! It works really good.

Deb Cushman said...

Hi! I came visiting and enjoyed reading your blog(love to visit cats even though I'm a bunny!)

I thought your answers were so much more on the spot that that silly doctor's. I would rather chew and shred the newspaper to pieces. But, like I said, I'm a bun -- that's what we do!
Freckles

Wrigley, Cobalt, & Penelope said...

Hehe that is great Kimo & Sabi!! We like your answer best. It drives mom nuts when we walk all over the keyboard but we just want to be by her.

Unknown said...

Da real question is why would a bean want to read a newspaper (or do anything else) when they could be pettin' a kitty?

Artsy Catsy said...

We get that newsletter, too, and now every time we read it we'll be thinking, "How would Kimo & Sabi cut to the chase here?"

Rocky

Tybalt said...

Your answer was the best one!

When I interrupt mommy reading her book, I let her know that I am saving her. Books are dangerous things. I'm sure the same is true with newspapers.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Your answer is so much better!

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Yeah, yoo guys is smarter den dat doctor person! Sometimes beans aren't furry bright...

Captain Jack and Sir Dante said...

We love your answer! Why do we do anything? Cause we can and humans will think its cute anyway! Thanks for sharing the article!

The Meezers or Billy said...

they should not try to sycho-analyze cats - don't they know they'll never get it right?

Queen Snickers, Empress and Princess Renna said...

Hehe we agree with the meezers!

Sunny's Mommy said...

I like your answer better!

muffinmidi said...

I stretch out on my mommy's stuff all the time. She stops what she's doing, pets and cuddles me, then tells me what a good boy I am.If she didn't like it and didn't pet me,I wouldn't lay on her stuff.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Yep your annser is definitely the right one.

Karen Jo said...

And I always thought that cats like to lie on newspaper because they like the way it crinkles. I like your answer better than the doctor's.

Tommy and Teaghan said...

Because of where I try to get da most attenshun like in front of da puter or da newspaper, I get da most used fraze of Beau Beau yoo make a better door dan a window.

Jimmy Joe said...

Word.
Your buddy, Jimmy Joe

PB 'n J said...

Your answer was waaaaay better!

Shaggy and Scout said...

I lie on the paper every morning for mom. But of course we cats know why, and we like how you explained it. -Shaggy

Anonymous said...

True, all of it. We like the fliers, they are nice and slippery.

Kaz's Cats said...

Well Kimo and Sabi, We're really impressed, you've nailed the answer in just a few words - Dr Jon needs you cats helping him out.

Purrs

Gypsy & Tasha

Toffee K. Ripple Fuzzypants & Feline American Angels said...

Once time ... with the cats who came before ... Mom did a little experiment: She put a receipt from 7/11 on the carpet an' left the room. When she came back in, Lacey Bunns was laying on top of the receipt.

Oh, an' it works with boxes, too. It doesn't matter how small the box, a cat will try to stuff him/herself into it. Lucky Charmz has fit into a tissue box (when he was full-grown, no less).

DMM

Dragonstar said...

I agree with you both. The obvious, sensible explanation never occurs to "important" people!

Boy said...

I do that because it iwwitates mine Mummy awfuwwy! Muahahahah...