Click to Skip Ahead
Cats are playful animals, and many enjoy interacting with toys for enrichment and exercise. However, you might notice your cat displaying odd behaviors as they play, such as sitting on their toys.
Some cat owners accept their pet’s quirks without question, but if you want to know why your cat treats their toys like a sofa, we have you covered. Here are five common reasons why cats sit on their toys.
The 5 Reasons Cats Sit on Their Toys
1. They’re Claiming the Toy
One common reason your cat sits on their toys could be because they are claiming them and marking them as their territory. This is also known as resource guarding and is most commonly seen in multi-cat households. In this instance, the cat’s intention would be to not allow other cats access to the toy.
Resource guarding in this context might appear harmless, but it often warrants a closer look, as cats that display such actions often start guarding other things too (such as the litter box, food bowls, water bowls, scratching posts, and even you!).
2. The Toys Smell Like You
Another reason your cat might sit on their toys is because they smell like you. Despite their reputation for being aloof, cats are more than capable of forming deep attachments to their owners.
If you and your cat have a strong bond, they may find your scent comforting and soothing, especially when you aren’t home. When you handle your cat’s toys, you leave your scent behind. Sitting or lying on the toy could be your cat’s way of feeling close to you.
3. The Toy Is Comfortable
Cats love soft, warm spots to cuddle up in, and some toys, especially stuffed ones, could suit this purpose. You also may have noticed that cats enjoy snoozing in unusual spots, including ones that seem too small to be comfortable. Sometimes, this might be on top of a toy.
4. It’s a Personality Trait
Sometimes, there really is no reason why your cat acts the way they do other than it being attributed to their personality. Just like us, our cats are individuals, and some cats might just have a preference for sitting on a toy. It can be considered similar to how some people have a preferred habit that can’t be explained (such as only sitting on a specific spot or in a certain manner).
5. They Are Treating the Toy Like Prey
One of the most important reasons cats play with toys is to perform instinctive behaviors like stalking and “killing” prey. A cat sitting on their toy may treat it like a prey object.
Cats sometimes play with their prey before killing and eating them. The cat might also check to see if their “prey” is dead or just playing dead. However, these antics of “playing with their food” is better appreciated in well-fed domesticated pet cats and not always seen in wild cats.
What Types of Toys Should I Get My Cat?
Like children, cats have preferences for various toys, and you may need to experiment to find the ones your pet enjoys the most. Generally, it’s best to get your cat several toys for self-guided and interactive play. Focus on toys that allow your cat to get exercise and safely perform instinctive behaviors.
For example, teaser wands are an excellent option to allow your cat to chase and stalk prey. They are ideal for daily play and bonding sessions with you. When you aren’t home, you’ll want your cat to have small toys they can chase or bat around, such as balls or stuffed mice.
Cats with mobility challenges may prefer a puzzle toy or self-contained toy they can bat without moving as much. And, of course, your cat will need a scratching post to keep their claws healthy and satisfy their urge to scratch safely.
Looking for toys that cater to the many needs of your cat? The Hepper Hi-lo Cat Scratcher is one of our favorite cat products. Its clever thee-angle design offers multiple ways for your cat to climb, stretch, and exercise. Made of a sturdy plywood base and a replacement cardboard insert, this scratcher is an option that can be enjoyed by cats for years to come. If your cat requires a little encouragement for self-play, the Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker is a fantastic choice. Equipped with bite and kick-resistant fabric, an enticing internal bell, and organic catnip, cats can satisfy their natural prey instincts while getting the physical activity they need to thrive.
Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy
Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher
Multi-level play
Interactive
Self-play
Promotes exercise
Replaceable parts
Satisfies prey-instincts
At PangoVet, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
If you find your cat sitting on their toys, one of the five reasons we discussed could be to blame. Sitting on toys might seem strange, but it’s usually not a cause for concern. However, if your cat seems less active than usual and less interested in playing with their toys, there could be something wrong. It’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your kitty checked out.
Featured Image Credit: Noor Khalafy, Pexels
