Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/25/2008

Question
Hi i was just wondering why some of my cats do some of the things they do. One of them wonders round licking magazines and licking the floor all round the house + the other one goes into everyones' underwear drawers and steals socks. She doesn't do anything with them she just steals them, puts them somewhere and meows at them in a strange whiny voice. Then when you go over to see its almost like shes forgotten what shes just done because there is no reaction when i move the socks!
Just wondering why they do this
thanks

Answer
Chloe,

Indoor cats have surpressed hunting urges that they can't satisfy if they don't go outside. Cats who exhibit this behavior are usually trying to utilize their natural instinct to retrieve. The only thing that the inside cat can do to satisfy this urge is to 'hunt and kill' something inside the home, like clothing, which actually is quite popular. In the wild, cats hunt their prey, then they bring their prey back to a safe place before they consume it.

In your case she hunted and caught sock (I bet it gave him an awful fight too!)(smile). She is 'hunting and killing'a sock and bringing her 'fresh kill' somewhere which in the wild would be her nest.

Try getting some little furry stuffed mice that you can throw and she can catch; get a pet laser light (PetSmart, Petco, etc,) where she can chase the 'little red bug' on the floors, wall, and ceilings. They also love the sparkly craft balls that you get in a package in Wal-Mart's craft dept., or at a craft store. Mine carry those around in their mouth

Another thing that hunter type cats like, periodically for a treat, is a raw beef rib bone. I have the butcher cut some in half. The cats satisfy their 'fresh kill' instinct by pulling on the meat, the protein is good for them, and the fibers in the meat help clean their teeth. Not all cats are interested in them (some of mine aren't...one of mine won't touch meat, raw OR cooked!) but the 'hunters' usually have fun with them. Sometimes they will growl at you if you look like you might take their prize away!

Sometimes, only a cat knows why he does the things he does! I have one that will only let you pet her if she has one of her toys in her mouth. I have one that will sneak up while you are drinking a soda and head-butt the can...then run like 'heck' while you are wiping it off your clothes!

Here is an article that you may enjoy. It's about why cats do certain things that they do:
(copy and paste, or type the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.hdw-inc.com/behaviorswhy.htm

Here is another one:

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/eating%20habits.html

I hope this answers your question.
Tabbi