As of: February 17, 2024, 2:00 p.m
By: Laura Wittstruck
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Some cats like to steal their two-legged friends' socks.
There are various reasons behind this unusual behavior, but also instinct.
There were just two socks in the laundry basket, but suddenly one of them can no longer be found.
In some cases, there is a thief behind it that you simply can't be angry with.
Some cats like to steal their master's socks and then carry them around in their mouths.
It definitely looks cute - but what do the four-legged friends think of the unusual prey?
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Cats retrieve – but according to their own laws
Dog owners are already used to the sight: the four-legged friends enthusiastically carry sticks, balls and Frisbees around.
They like it best when their owners throw them through the air first.
For cats, this seems unusual at first.
But the velvet paws also retrieve things - but in a self-determined manner and according to their own rules.
Many cats steal socks - the behavior is instinctive.
© xolegpavcom369x/IMAGO
This is shown by a study by Northumbria University, in which researchers examined the retrieving behavior of 1,154 animal test subjects.
Among other things, they found that cats are more likely to play with their humans than the other way around.
So the velvet paws introduced their own rules by only returning objects to certain rooms.
By the way, cats prefer to carry their toys around the house.
But spherical objects such as paper balls or cosmetics were also very popular in the study.
Garments such as socks also represented a category.
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Cat stealing socks: These explanations exist
The American study not only showed that cats like to carry things around in their mouths.
The researchers also came to the conclusion that the behavior is instinctive and not learned - for example from a dog as a roommate.
According to A Heart for Animals,
the triggers for this
include:
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The instinct to play: In the wild, cats hunt and carry their prey around in their mouths.
There are no mice or birds in the apartment - but there are socks lying around.
Stress or boredom: Cats often show that something is wrong with unusual behavior - they lack activity or are tense.
Attention: Whether negative or positive, many cats like it when their two-legged friends occupy themselves with them.
It makes sense to make something important like a sock disappear in order to trigger a reaction.
For all cat owners with missing socks, it's worth taking a look at their cat's basket or favorite hiding place - because the washing machine isn't always the culprit...