My cat is placing toys, socks and other articles of clothing in his water bowl.
Written by TabandSmokesMom
At first, my cat started placing his toys in his water bowl but after a few weeks, he started stealing our socks and shirts or whatever he can find. We caught his sister calling with a sock in her mouth. They sometimes work together. Is there anybody that had the same experience who could give me an idea how to make them stop? Thanks.
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Thanks Marcie. We try to remember to close the closet door but my daughters have a habit of leaving articles of clothing laying around before they go to school. My cat, Smokey, often likes to give me a toy to toss so he can play fetch 'til he gets tired. We may have to play more often. His toys are always soaked but I hope he'll get tired of this silly behavior. Thanks again.
Mom, I do not have anything in my behavior book to explain this garment fetish your cats have acquired. I once knew a cat who would go to the neighbors, climb up on their deck to the clothes line and steal underwear and take it home. The owner was so embarrassed to have to return the items to the neighbor. I think they ended up moving the clothes line.
Most cats with an odd behavior change have experienced some sort of stress with either a change in an animal or human relationship in their lives. It may also be some sort of displaced maternal (even though he is male) instinct to hunt and gather something and return to the den with it. This type of instinct dates back to pre-domestication somewhere around 11,000 BC.
The best way to curb an undesired behavior is to deny access to the objects whenever possible and redirect idle time with new activity like interactive toys that will keep your cleptos busy. Some cats get bored more easily than others and they require more attention from the owners. If you have a few extra minutes at the end of your day, you cat would probably love to play or get brushed.
Good luck with your partners in crime and please let us know if you have any luck getting them to stop.
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