Why Do Cats Sit on Their Toys?

Have you ever watched your cat playing with a toy and noticed that he pounces and sits on it? Perhaps your kitty will then give the toy a few bunny kicks while biting it. Many pet owners have found this behavior both endearing and mysterious. Why do cats play the way they do? Are they being aggressive, seeking attention or just having fun? There are several theories about why cats sit on toys.

  1. Prey Instinct

    • In the wild, cats stalk and pounce on their prey.

      The prevailing theory is that most cats sit on their toys because they're predators. In the wild, cats slowly stalk their prey and wait for just the right moment to pounce. Once the prey has been incapacitated, the cat severs the spinal cord and uses its hind legs to disembowel. Wild cats have mothers that teach them how to kill quickly and efficiently, but house cats enjoy playing with their prey--or their toys.

    Possessiveness

    • Cats are territorial by nature, whether they're living indoors or out. You may notice cats claiming their space--be it a certain spot on the bed, a favorite chair or a shopping bag you've just brought home. Sometimes possessive cats will take toys and drop them into food dishes to show possession of those objects. If there are other cats in the house, your cat may hide the toy to retain possession of it.

    Stress Reduction

    • "The simplest toy can improve an animal's demeanor, reduce stress and increase its chances of finding a loving home," says Justin Rudd, organizer of "Operation Santa Paws," which collects toys for homeless cats and dogs each year. It's natural for cats to pounce on their toys as a way of exercising. Cat Health recommends buying toys, encouraging cats to play with them and rotating the selection as one way of helping a cat combat stress.

    Amusement

    • Cats like to sleep a lot, but whenever they're awake, they like engaging activities. Pet specialists recommend buying lots of toys to keep cats amused and prevent boredom, which leads to bad behaviors like scratching, chewing and getting into things when you're not home. Predator hunting games are some of the funnest activities for cats and their minds are always thinking up new ways to tackle and subdue their "prey."

    Hide-and-Seek

    • Some cats love a good game of hide-and-seek, says the Humane Society. These cats hide in blankets, move toys from one place in the house to another and jump out at you from behind doors. You may find yourself looking for the toys only to discover they were hiding under your cat's belly the whole time.