“What’s a cat’s favorite button on the TV remote control?”/“Pause.”

A cat riddle has been printed on several images:
 
Q: What’s a cat’s favorite button on the TV remote control?
A: Pause (paws).
 
The “pause”/“paws’ pun has been cited in print since at least 2009.
 
     
Twitter 
Jay
@Jasnom
Jasno whats cat’s favorite button on the remote control?paws. http://ff.im/-7fX4G
3:45 PM - 27 Aug 2009
 
Twitter
Scott Klein
@kleinmatic
My 5-year-old wrote a joke: What’s a cat’s favorite button on the remote control? (Answer: “Pause”)
6:59 PM - 1 Sep 2009
     
Twitter 
Rhys James
@rhysjamesy
As a cat, my favourite button on my sky+ remote is the PAUSE (PAWS) button!!! Get it?!?!?!
7:14 PM - 16 Apr 2011
 
Facebook
Popsicle Stick Jokes
August 19, 2012 ·
What’s a cats favorite button on the DVD remote? Paws!
 
7 June 2014, Newsday (Long Island, NY), Kidsday sec., pg. B29:
What is a cat’s favorite button on the remote?
Pause
- Sofia Fixman
       
Google Books
Belly Laugh Jokes for Kids:
350 Hilarious Jokes
By Sky Pony Editors
New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
2015
Pg. ?:
Q: What is a cat’s favorite button on the remote?
A: Paws.
 
Facebook
Rwenzori Bottling Company
February 8, 2016 ·
What’s a cat’s favorite button on the remote?” “Paws” Like if you get this cat joke!
 
Twitter
shooty cat
@shootyskies
What’s a cat’s favourite button on the tv remote?....Paws #caturday #catjoke #shootyskies #gameplay
12:49 AM - 15 Oct 2016
 
Reddit—Dad Jokes
What’s a cat’s favorite button on the remote control? (self.dadjokes)
submitted February 13, 2018 by RonPalancik
Paws
COMMENTS
DocDerz
I have it on good authority that their second favorite button is the “mewte” button.