Why do cats like your shoes?
Cat owners may have noticed that their cats have a palpable obsession with shoes, whether by smelling them, patting them, or even sleeping on, in, or near them. Why do cats like to sleep on shoes so much? Why do some cats even take their shoes out of the house through the front door and hide them elsewhere? Why do cats like to sit on shoes? There are legitimate reasons behind why cats are so obsessed with shoes, and understanding them can help curb any future shoe-related issues. Here are a few reasons why cats want to be near shoes:
- Familiar smells For a cat, their sense of smell is probably the most important of their five senses. It is fourteen times stronger and has twice as many olfactory receptors in nasal tissue. They also have a special organ on the roof of the mouth called the Jacobson’s organ (sometimes called the bony nasal organ), which people don’t have at all. Essentially, this organ enables cats to taste the scents and pheromones in the air, giving them a wealth of information about the animals and people in the area. Cats are naturally curious and will seek out new scents, but also the scents of things they are familiar with to make them feel safe and at ease.
- Claiming Territory Cats themselves create and secrete their own unique scent pheromones in glands throughout the body, including the cheeks. When your cat rubs your face against you or an object (also known as a bunting), they leave a mark that says “I’ve been here before.” This is my space and makes me feel safe. Cats are attracted to things that smell like them and that they like. Sleeping on your shoes is just the way your cat says they are comfortable in your company, relaxed because of your presence, and loves you!
- Comfort Zone Your cats may not just be sleeping or spending time in your shoes telling you they love you. Things that smell like you—clothes, shoes, blankets—can keep your cat comfortable in stressful situations. Sleeping with your shoes on is likely a way for your cat to soothe himself when you are away during the day. This might even be why your cat doesn’t just stick to the shoe you left them on, but might move your shoe to another location. Your cat may use your shoes as a safety blanket to a favorite sitting area as a way to keep a part of you close. If your cat is bottle-fed, they may even suck on your shoes or socks. This is because cats weaned from their mothers prematurely often develop oral fixations, gnawing or sucking on things that smell like their owners. This behavior is another method of self-soothing, and easily accessible shoes on the floor are a convenient outlet for it. Put away your shoes When you’re late for work and your cat takes one of your shoes and runs away, and your cat keeps moving them, you have to hunt for your shoes again and again. However, trying to convince your cat to leave your shoes alone can be an uphill battle. Storing shoes to stop your cat from touching your shoes is much easier than trying to stop the behavior altogether. Storing your shoes in a closet or in an airtight plastic bin is a quick solution. Keep in mind that cats are very good at climbing, so just storing them on a high shelf may not be enough to keep your shoes out of reach. Redirecting Attention If preventing your cat from touching your shoes isn’t feasible, you can redirect your cat to another item that still smells like you but may not be missed by you. Something like an old t-shirt or socks would be a good replacement. If you catch your cat while trying to steal shoes, try to avoid scaring them by yelling or appearing aggressive. These behaviors will only scare your cat, and they may not associate your frustration with their shoe-stealing behavior. Even if your cat drops his shoes in a panic, they may not fully understand why you are so upset. While shoes may not seem like a cozy hangout to us, cats think they’re great because they remind them of their favorite people. Next time you find your cat napping on your sneakers, give them a blanket and rejoice in the fact that the cat just told you it loves you.
Tips: For more knowledge about pet feeding, dog feeding, cat feeding, small pet feeding, aquarium feeding, reptile feeding, please pay attention to: mtedr.com, to provide you with a wealth of dog breeds, cat breeds, reptile breeds, types of aquarium fish, different types of small pets and so on.
