Cat on Computer: How to Protect Your PC from Paw-sible Damage

Do you own a cat, a couple, or even a dozen cats? Having cats on your computer can be a recipe for disaster. 

Online forums are flooded with stories of how a cat taking a stroll across a computer keyboard caused some serious damage that’s hard to undo. 

You can find hundreds of posts that scream of debacles like, “My cat stepped on the keyboard, and now it won’t type,” or “My cat stepped on my laptop, and now the screen is black.” We’ve also heard of questions like, “Why does my cat sit on my laptop?”

No matter what breed your cat might be, the acts of feline vandalism and the resulting harm seem to be the same all over the world.

We’ll show you how to protect your PC from any damage. Let’s begin.

We’ve all seen those hilarious videos of cats walking across keyboards. It’s all fun and games until they delete something important. Source: Tenor

Cat on Keyboard: The Surprising Damage They Can Do

If you’ve ever let your cat roam free around your workspace, you’re probably all too familiar with the trouble they can cause.

Just a few paw presses here and there, and they can cause a whole range of issues on your computer. Here are some of the most common problems people report:

• Keys no longer work. You might notice that certain keys have suddenly stopped working. No matter how many times you press the key, nothing happens. Your cat may have triggered some kind of keyboard shortcut, or worse, damaged the hardware. 
• Cursor no longer visible on screen. When your cat walks on your PC, it may cause your cursor to disappear. 
• Random commands taking over. Imagine typing a message or finalizing an important document, and suddenly, Windows apps start popping up left and right when you press some specific letters. Even though it’s usually caused by sticky keys, it can still be frustrating. 
• Lost data. Cats have an uncanny knack for walking across just the right key combinations to trigger deletion: an email, folder, or entire hard drive. 

• Unwanted messages sent. Cats are notorious for sending emails or messenger notes to random contacts. Cat typing on the keyboard may seem like a minor issue, but you are lucky if they don’t choose your boss to bombard with some gibberish to decipher!

Real-life stories of cats on keyboard causing major damage 

Here are a few stories of how cats, as adorable as they are, can cause serious damage if you’re not careful:

Source: the register.com

Cats don’t just attack personal computers in users’ homes; it can occur in facilities too. For example, in September 2023, a cat jumped on a technician’s keyboard and wiped crucial information from the servers at Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 

The personnel happened to be reviewing server configurations at the unfortunate moment when their cat stepped on the keyboard and hit just the right keys to delete everything. This truly gives the word CATastrophe a new meaning!

Luckily, the Kansas City VAMC techs were able to get the data back and servers working normally within 4 hours. No patient or employee data was ultimately affected. 

But that’s not always the case.

A cat deleted 14k music samples at a go!

Source: reddit.com

Some users report losing large amounts of irreplaceable data and having to start from scratch. That’s what happened to the Reddit user Oddhauze with his music samples. 

In an unexpected turn of events, their cat stood on a keyboard and effectively deleted more than 14,000 music samples. Sadly, the files were too big for the Recycle Bin, so it just removed them permanently from the hard drive. 

I don’t know the specifics of the situation, whether Oddhauze backed up the music files or not. If he didn’t, he could use data recovery software to get the lost data back.

That said, it may be too late to recover any files, depending on the circumstances surrounding the matter. Seeing a cat on a computer keyboard is a sight that’s definitely not for the fainthearted. 

If you don’t have a cat-proof computer desk, you need to look at other options you have to protect your PC and data from the furry mob.

Sure, they look innocent, but these tiny paws can cause big problems! Source: Tenor

How to Keep Your Cat Off Your Computer

Don’t get me wrong. Even though cats on keyboards might look adorable, this can quickly lead to frustration, especially if you have urgent projects to complete. Let’s go through practical ways to stop your cat from walking on your keyboard:

Tip 1: Enable Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Cat Mode

If your cat is stubborn and doesn’t want to leave your side, or if you’re searching for a better way to secure your files from being deleted, consider Auslogics BoostSpeed. 

This comprehensive all-in-one tool is designed to clean up your system and keep it running smoothly for optimal performance.

When it comes to your cat on the computer, you can use BoostSpeed’s Cat Mode feature. This will keep you from losing data when your cat steps on the keyboard. 

How does this work? Simple. When you activate Cat Mode, the keyboard and mouse automatically lock whenever you step away. You just have to enter your passcode to regain access. 

Here’s how to enable the feature: 

• Download BoostSpeed from Auslogics’ official site and install it. 
• When you launch the program, you should see Cat Mode at the bottom of the dashboard.
• Click on Enable to activate the feature. Alternatively, click on Maintain on the toolbar and toggle the Activate switch under Cat Mode in the upper right corner on to enable the feature.

• The cat paw should turn green when you turn on Cat Mode.

• Now, click on Cat Mode or on the cat paw to open the Settings menu. 
• Here, you can set the idle time after which Cat Mode will be activated. The default time is set to 10 minutes. However, if your cat is like mine, five minutes should be okay.
• You can also set the key combination to turn off Cat Mode and set the feature to turn on when you launch BoostSpeed. After that, click OK to activate Cat Mode.

With BoostSpeed’s Cat Mode, your feline friend can play all they want, and your work stays safe! Source: Tenor

Tip 2: Provide a warm and cozy place

One of the main reasons cats sit on your computer is because it provides warmth. You can distract your cat by providing a different warm spot close to your PC.

You can place a heated cat bed, a soft blanket, or a plush cushion close to your desk. This can provide a cozy place and also make your keyboard less appealing.

Source: Tenor

Tip 3: Give your cat something better to do

If your cat keeps walking on your keyboard while you work, it’s probably bored and wants to play with you. You can buy a cat scratching post, like the one with the sisal scratching rope and many different features, like ladders and hammocks.

This will redirect your cat’s attention. You can also purchase puzzle toys where your cat will have to interact with them to get a treat. A good example is the Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree. 

It’s a vertical toy with several openings. You place treats inside, and your cat has to bat at the treats through the openings to make them fall to the base. 

The kitty can then eat it. It can be expensive, but it’s one of the best ways to occupy their time while you focus on work. Or you can give your cat something to play with, like in the GIF below.

Source: Tenor

Tip 4: Use a laptop stand or keyboard cover

It’s difficult for cats to sit on a laptop titled at a 45-degree angle. That’s why it’s an effective way to stop cats from walking on the keyboard. Of course, there’s also the benefit of bettering your posture and raising the monitor to your eye level!

However, using the laptop stand may also mean getting a new keyboard, which the cat can also walk on. In that case, get a keyboard cover, such as the CaseBuy or HRH Keyboard Cover.

Tip 5: Give your cat attention

Sometimes, your cat just wants your attention. So, try to make time to play with your pet before starting work. They may not disrupt your workflow with a few cuddles. We all know how pets crave companionship.

So when there’s a cat on your computer, it may be a sign that you need to take a break and give them some attention.

Source: Tenor

Tip 6: Use a cat repellent spray

This is a bit too much even for me, but it works. I placed this as the last option purposely for those cats that:

• The previous tips didn’t work on.
• Show unyielding interest in your computer equipment and cords.

These repellents are designed to smell bad to cats and can be a great way of showing them places that are off-limits. It’s one of the best ways to train cats to avoid certain areas.

Here are some of the popular and safe cat repellents you can try out: 

1. Nature’s Miracle Pet Block Repellent Spray.
2. Sentry Stop That! For Cats.
3. PetSafe SSSCAT Spray Pet Deterrent.
4. SmartyKat Scratch Not Scratch Deterrent Spray for Cats.
5. Pet MasterMind Lion Tamer Scratching Deterrent Cat Spray.

Here’s a table comparison for the cat repellent sprays:

How to use cat repellent sprays 

Keep in mind that the steps below are a generalized manual. If you want to know how to use a specific cat repellent, check its manual before using it. 

• Choose the right spray. Decide if you want to use the spray for indoor or outdoor use and select the one that suits your needs. Also, check the ingredients to make sure it’s safe for you and your cat. 
• Read the instructions carefully. Read the product manual to learn how to use the product, including the safety precautions to take.
• Apply the spray. Spray the solution on the areas where you want to prevent the cats from getting close, like furniture, beds, or countertops.

Why Do Cats Love Our Computers?

Here are some interesting reasons why you’ll find cats on keyboards:

• Your cat enjoy’s your scent. According to Dr. David Sands, who holds a doctorate in animal psychology, the reason your cat is always on your keyboard is because of your scent. To be more precise, the scent you leave on your keyboard. Your scent gives them comfort and makes them feel close to you even when you’re not around. 
• The cat may be asserting dominance. Even though the first point is endearing and all, that is not always the case. They may be depositing their scent to supplant yours. In other words, your adorable cat is saying it owns you. How cute! 
• Your cat may be mimicking you. Cats may be copying what you do when you sit on your PC because they see you spending a lot of time on it. So even though it may seem like your cat is punishing you for leaving them alone (or taking them to the vet), their behavior is usually unintentional.
• Your cat may be seeking attention. Cats are smart and observant. They know that you don’t have time for them when you’re on the computer. So, when you find your cat on the keyboard, they may be signaling you to rub their belly, stroke their back, or give them attention in a way they enjoy.

Sometimes, it’s not that they want to sabotage you. They just want to be involved in your work…in their own unique way! Source: Tenor

Final Thoughts on Cats on Computers

Cats on keyboards may seem like an innocent act of curiosity, but we can’t ignore the problems they can cause. We’ve explored why cats are drawn to your computer and discussed how to stop them from causing damage.

Go through the methods and implement the solutions we’ve covered. You can safely have your cats around without worrying about losing your data. It’s all about balancing their comfort with your PC’s protection.

Let us know in the comments below which tip worked for you!

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