Cats can be the best companions and the worst co-workers. At the same time, they can brighten your day and destroy your productivity. They're also pretty good at destroying your office equipment and expensive tech products.
They love laptops, and they love to distract you while you work. The worst thing is that you are completely unable to resist. Would you really be reading this article if you weren't?
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce feline interference, whether you're sitting on the couch or in your home office.
I'll say it again:cats love laptops! The main reason is that your laptop keyboard also works as a heat sink. Even MacBooks and ultrabooks, with their sophisticated cooling mechanisms, still get hot.
The other reason your cat sits on your laptop, especially when he's using it, is the same reason he sits in front of your TV at night. There's a good chance Mr. Tickles is bored and inattentive (I don't have a cat named Mr. Tickles, for the record).
The quickest remedy for a sudden assault by a cat is to lock the keyboard and limit the damage. You don't want to send a half-written Facebook status or a confusing email to your boss, so install an app that lets you lock your trackpad, keyboard, and mouse with a shortcut of your choice.
For Mac users, there's MollyGuard, a small menu bar app that works with macOS 10.6.8 and above. If you're using Windows, then you want KeyFreeze, which works with everything from XP to Windows 10. They're free and very lightweight (unlike your cat).
Keyboard covers are a bit of a pain in the ass, but if you have cats or kids, they could save your laptop. Both kids and cats tend to knock things over, with the latter shedding fur that makes its way onto the keyboard.
Not only can this prevent your keys from working properly, but it will also reduce your laptop's cooling capacity. That affects airflow which can put undue pressure on the fans, and the resulting heat won't do the internal components any favors.
The solution is to get a keyboard cover. Some of the Best Keyboard Covers Are for MacBook Owners MacBook Keyboard Covers:Should You Buy One? MacBook Keyboard Covers:Should You Buy One? Like many MacBook accessories, keyboard covers are a bit of an unknown:they seem like a good idea, but for less than $10, how good can they be? Read More If you own a fairly popular HP, Alienware, or Dell laptop, then you shouldn't have a problem finding something that fits.
Your best bet is to find your laptop's model number and add the search with "keyboard cover" or "keyboard skin." Be sure to check reviews before purchasing so you know it will be a perfect fit.
Depending on your cat, a laptop stand may be a better option while you work at your desk. The drawback is that you will have to find an external keyboard to be able to type properly (and also an ergonomic mouse of your choice).
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You can find official and not-so-official Mac keyboards Top 7 Alternatives to Apple's Official Magic Keyboard Top 7 Alternatives to Apple's Official Magic Keyboard Want to buy a new keyboard for your Mac? Apple's Magic Keyboard isn't the best. Here are some of the best Mac keyboard options. Read More 6 Keyboards for Typists and Gamers Which Mechanical Keyboard Should You Buy? 6 Keyboards for Typists and Gamers While CPUs and GPUs remain essential to PC performance, there is one underappreciated peripheral:the keyboard. Everyone uses keyboards, but few people think of them when buying a new PC. Learn more, and wireless all-in-one devices that let you cut the cord 12 of the best all-in-one wireless keyboards for Mac and PC 12 of the best all-in-one wireless keyboards for Mac and PC wireless all-in-one device - one of the keyboards turns a boring living room computer into an exciting home theater computer. Which one is better for you? Read more.
Many of these stands elevate your laptop at an angle, which your cat is unlikely to want to deal with. You may find that they prefer to sit under your laptop in the future. Look for something like this six-tier adjustable aluminum stand on Amazon, which positions your laptop at a 45-degree angle.
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If you want something you can clamp to your desk, the EZM Laptop Stand Clamp will do the trick, and it's fully adjustable with a 90-degree tilt to boot. It even comes in a version that allows you to mount a monitor there too.
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If you want to take things to the next level, you need to discourage your cat from going anywhere near the desk area. Before you proceed, make sure you're happy to turn your desk (or laptop) into a no-go area!
Cats hate sticky surfaces, so double-sided tape is your friend. Simply place a few strips along the edge of your desk, on your laptop, around your work area, and anywhere else you don't want your cats to be. You can buy products like Sticky Paws, or use something cheaper at the supermarket.
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These are short-term measures, and soon your cat will learn to associate the area with the unpleasant sensation of walking on a sticky surface. Once you've made the association, your cat must remember not to go there. You can always reapply a few strips from time to time to refresh their memory.
Kittens chew on everything, and cables are no exception. This can be incredibly dangerous for your cat, which can lead to electrocution and severe burns. It's also quite annoying to have to replace the cables, which have a tendency to break on their own anyway How to Prevent or Fix Frayed iPhone Lightning Cable Once and for All How to Prevent or Fix Frayed iPhone Lightning Cable Once and For All for all Make your Lightning cable Tougher or fix a cable that is already worn out without having to buy a new one. Read more.
Cord covers work wonders for this, especially the hard plastic ones that are not suitable for chewing. One such product aimed at cats (also dogs, rabbits, and other small mammals) is CritterCord. You can also try the double-sided tape trick, but hiding the cables and covering them is a less complicated solution.
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For phone chargers and cables that simply need to be on display, consider making them unsightly with a safe spray or dabber. Cats dislike bitter tastes, so something like Grannick's Bitter Apple Spray for Cats will do the trick.
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Be sure to avoid anything spicy that could harm you or your cat (especially chili sauce), and that anything you use is approved as safe for cats. Avoid "traditional" solutions like garlic, as garlic is highly toxic to cats and dogs.
If your cat is vying for your attention, that probably means they're bored. If you don't have a good selection of toys around the house, go to the pet store and open your wallet.
Pick up a few and see what your cat likes:balls, small mice, fun toys like this catnip giraffe, scratching posts and catnip toys will help distract her attention.
There are a growing number of more sophisticated cat toys on the market, if you have more to spend. This includes automated laser toys, eight KONG tracks, slide and seek, expanding circuits, and tower toys to choose from as well.
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Catnip spray can also pique her interest, and you can apply it to other toys when your cat decides it's time to play. Combine some of these with the cat activity tunnel and watch the sparks fly!
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They may also want to be close to you, or long for a warm place to curl up and take a nap. Cats sleep an average of 18 hours a day, so bedding is quite important. A heated cat igloo will make Kitty forget about her laptop altogether, or try suspending a sturdy perch in a nice sunny window..
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I have found that even a simple old cushion on the desk will work in the colder winter months. Or a box, since cats love boxes.
Some of these tips may seem a bit over the top, and that depends on the type of working relationship you have with your cat. Some preventative measures can go a long way, so be sure to cover the basics to keep your cat and tech safe from each other:
Beyond cat protection, you may also want to check out these awesome gadgets that can make you a smarter pet owner. Become a smarter pet owner with these gadgets. As a companion to your dog? These are examples of smart products you can buy and use in your pet-friendly home. Read more.
