Cats love to play with toys. They do this to fulfill their hunting and curios instincts. They will even play with common household objects like cardboard boxes, hairbows, shoestrings, or even clothes hangers! They might even love stuffed animals!
Not all cats will take to a stuffed animal. They are just like people in that they each have their own personality and will play with different things. Of the cats that do like to play with a plushie friend, they typically like to pack it around as if a prize from a successful hunt. Even better if the toy has a tail and legs similar to the mice and small rodents they would attack in the wild.
Cats aren’t all vicious predators though, they also like to cuddle! A stuffed animal makes a great substitute for their owner or another feline friend. Cats typically snuggle for warmth, safety, and to bond. Of course warmth is very attractive to cats as they love finding sunny spots to laze in. A snuggle partner like a plush toy will keep them nice and cozy. The safety aspect of a cuddle goes back to the kitten days. Kittens all snuggle together when they are young for warmth and protection. They keep up this behavior all throughout their life. That’s part of the reason they lay in laps, but it can also mean a cat is bonding with that human. They want to show love and affection for all their owners do and snuggling is the perfect way to display this emotion.
As mentioned, not all cats will love stuffed animals, but here are some tips to get your cat to love their new plush friend:
Does your cat have a favorite stuffed animal? Tell us about it in the comments below!