Cats are interesting animals that often do things that remain a mystery to us. One of the behaviors of some cats is to collect random things. There is no specific explanation as to why cats collect, hide or hoard certain items. This behavior may be related to resource conservation, maternal instincts, or hunting instincts.
While it makes sense for cats to hoard and hide food and toys, some cats may develop a penchant for collecting unusual items. Here are some of the things cats may collect.
6 Favorite Weird Things for Cats :.
- jewelry
A cat looking at wedding rings.
Some cats may steal and hoard jewelry. It’s unclear why cats like jewelry, especially because they don’t like to wear it. However, it’s also possible that they are attracted to their own reflected light. Jewelry and precious metals may have a similar effect to light reflected from laser pointers and mirrors. So, cats may just be interested and attracted to shiny things.
- Bottlecaps
Blue and White Bottlecaps
Metal bottlecaps can act like jewelry. Some cats like to play with plastic bottle caps that you can unscrew from milk cartons and water bottles. Cats may like these because they like the sound they make. When they fall or slide across the floor, they make different sounds. These sounds may sound similar to insects that cats like to prey on, such as cicadas and crickets.
I had a cat who liked to steal milk lids. Whenever we opened the milk cartons, we had to be very careful to hold them in our hands or she would steal them off the kitchen counter. She seemed to enjoy tapping the caps and sliding them across the floor. She especially likes that the hat has a tail on it and she can spend a long time playing with it.
- rubber bands
Rubber Bands.
Cats may like to steal rubber bands because they are chewy. Chewing is a natural behavior, and some cats may like to chew rubbery things because they have a texture similar to meat. Because rubber bands are a choking hazard, it’s best to store them in a safe place to keep your cat secure.
Additionally, chewing is normal for cats and should not be a cause for concern unless it becomes a compulsive behavior. Excessive chewing may indicate a physical or mental health issue, such as hunger or anxiety.
- Cardboard box
A cat in a cardboard box.
Cardboard boxes may not be very valuable to us, but many cats like to play with them and hide in them. My cat loves cardboard boxes and you can see her visibly upset on garbage collection day. We always have to remember to leave her a box when we throw it in the recycling bin.
Cats find cardboard boxes comforting because they find safety in enclosed and dimly lit spaces. They may also enjoy scratching them and putting their claws in them.
- Leaves and paper
Crumpled paper
Some cats may like to collect pieces of paper. You may find them playing with crumpled receipts and open mail. Some cats may like to play with and collect dried leaves. The reason for this may be similar to why cats like bottle caps. Leaves and paper can make sounds that mimic insect sounds.
Cats may also like crinkly things because they sound and feel like natural bedding. While indoor cats often enjoy the luxury of sleeping in plush cat beds or human beds, feral cats usually build their nests out of natural items such as grass, feathers, and leaves. That’s why paper and dried leaves are comfortable nesting materials for your cat.
- small pieces of plastic
Marker caps
Cats can get into the habit of collecting everyday household items like floss picks, bottle caps and pen caps. They may enjoy playing with small pieces of plastic because they have a soft texture and can make some interesting sounds.
Cats also have the urge to collect; plastic items are relatively lightweight and easy to carry around, and they usually come in large quantities.
Can my cat collect things?
Collecting items is a normal behavior that some cats will engage in, and it’s not a big deal. However, in some cases it should be addressed and prevented. Some cats will collect things because of anxiety and resource conservation.
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If you suspect that your cat is collecting things due to insecurity or other underlying reasons, consult your veterinarian to diagnose the cause. I once asked my vet about my cat stealing milk hats during a routine checkup; he thought the behavior was normal and suggested giving the cat some toys that resembled milk hats. You can also work with a reputable cat behaviorist to find out how to help your cat.
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