Cats can exhibit all sorts of seemingly odd behaviors, and the internet is filled with funny cat videos to prove it. One behavior common among many cats is a love of shoes.
quick overview
01
It is very common for cats to be attracted to human shoes.
02
Cats love the smell of shoes, and some like to play with or leave smells on them.
03
If your cat damages your shoes, keep them in a closed cupboard to keep them safe.
Whether it’s lying on them, playing with them, or even moving them around the house, many cats seem to love shoes. While it might seem like a weird obsession to us, cats actually love shoes for a few reasons.
1. Territorial markings
Cats mark their territory both indoors and outdoors to signal to other cats that it is their territory. The most common method is to rub the length of their face and body against an object. Scent glands (sebaceous glands) are found throughout a cat’s body, including:
- on the cheek
- under the chin
- along the flank
- Around the base of the tail
- along the tail
When cats rub their head or body against objects (also called bunting), they release Pheromones (chemomessages) can send out various messages, one of which is to let other cats know that this is another cat’s territory.
These pheromones can also signal that cats are relaxed and safe in their environment – they release this pheromone when they head nuzzle you or head butt you lightly.
Pheromones are completely odorless to humans, but cats can detect them easily thanks to their incredible sense of smell and a special organ at the top of their mouths called the vomeronasal organ (sometimes called the vomeronasal organ). Jacobsen’s organ). If you’ve ever seen your cat inhale and open her mouth slightly, they may be using her vomeronasal apparatus to study an interesting smell.
Shoes are often left in various places in the home, and when your cat rubs against them, they may be marking their territory. It’s a way of signaling to other cats that another cat is already there and claiming ownership.
If you have multiple cats in your home, you may find that your cats mark their territory more frequently. This is because each of them will try to outdo the other and claim a place in the territory.
READ ALSO: What Are Cat Pheromones, and Do They Really Work?
2. Comfortable
Your shoes may smell strongly of you, which can be comforting to your cat. If your cat rests its head on your shoe or lays on it, they may just find a comfortable place to rest or take a nap. You may find that your cat uses your shoes as a source of comfort when you’re outside or in a stressful situation, such as loud fireworks.
Some cats will even take the shoe to another part of the house that they feel is safer. If your shoes are left around the house, they can give off a familiar smell so your cat can feel comfortable. Cats who use shoes for comfort or self-soothing are also often found curled up in a pile of laundry or your favorite jumper.
If kittens are small enough, they may also choose to sleep in your shoes, as this is a comfortable napping place and makes them feel safe.
Cats separated from their mothers shortly after birth and raised in bottles often develop a habit of sucking on things that smell like their owners. Sometimes they may also nibble on them, which could include your shoes. This may seem strange to us, but it’s a self-soothing behavior for your cat.
Also read: Do cats love their owners?
3. smell
A cat’s sense of smell is the most important of all five senses. Cats gain important information about their environment by sniffing. Your shoes probably smell funny because you’ve been to a lot.
With just a quick sniff of your shoes, your cat will know where you’ve been, what you’ve done, and if there are other animals there. Every time you go to a different place, your cat will smell something new.
Not only do the soles of your shoes smell different from where you’ve been, but the inside of your shoes may also smell.
Your cat may find this attractive because they smell strongly of you, or it may be that your cat smells the bottom of your bare feet and transfers it to the inside of the shoe.
Also read: Learn about a cat’s five senses
4. Pay attention
If you keep bending over to pet your cat when it rubs against your shoe, they’ll quickly learn that it’s the way to get your attention.
Cats are smart animals, and they’ll quickly realize that rubbing yourself with your shoes is likely to make you fall in love with them.
Even negative attention can be seen as a positive influence on your cat, for example, when you reprimand your cat for playing with your shoes and leaving scratches. Once your cat knows this will get your attention, they may choose to do it again and again.
5. boring
Shoes can be fun, especially those with dangling laces that can be hit and swooped on! If your cat is bored and not getting enough mental stimulation, they may decide to play with your shoes or shoelaces, especially if they happen to be lying around the house.
Your cat doesn’t realize they’re shoes, but sees them as fun toys that provide a lot of fun. Some shoes also have a nice scratchy and scratchy texture. This might not be fun for you, but it sure is fun for your cat.
Also read: Why do cats love boxes? 8 reasons why!
How can I recycle my shoes?
Some people may find it amusing or cute to watch their cat carry their shoes around the house or run around their shoelaces, but others may not find it amusing, especially when your favorite pair Shoes are damaged, or you can’t find one of your shoes when you’re about to head out! Thankfully, there are steps you can take to stop cats from playing with your shoes.
1. Keep your shoes in a closed cupboard
This is to prevent your cat from touching your shoes. This may seem obvious, but simply having your shoes on a high shelf may not be enough of a deterrent. Keep in mind that many cats like to climb and jump to high places, so this might be a little more exciting to put in your shoes.
2. Prevent boredom
Make sure your cat has plenty of toys to play with. This will hopefully distract her from other, less exciting items, like your shoes.Spend time play with your cat Will help ensure she doesn’t get lonely or bored.
3. Provide Alternative Sleeping Spots
If your cat chooses to sleep in your shoes, it may be because she prefers to sleep in semi-enclosed spaces. You can buy enclosed beds, donut beds, and even blankets in a cardboard box will suffice!
Also read: 12 Best Cat Beds
4. Sacrifice a shoe
If your cat really likes shoes, it might be easier to sacrifice an old pair to keep them happy! If they have their own shoes to play with, they may be more inclined to leave your other shoes alone.
final thoughts
As we know, it’s not uncommon for cats to like shoes, and your cat isn’t the only one with this seemingly odd behavior. Attraction can come down to anything from territory markers to comfort seeking to past fun.
Never punish your cat for playing or sleeping on your shoes because they don’t understand what they did wrong.
Instead, try some of the suggestions above to make sure your cat doesn’t ruin your favorite pair of shoes. If your cat likes to play with shoes, or you think it’s fun, consider getting them a pair of their own. You can guarantee lots of lovely photos and videos in your camera roll.
Also read: How Do Cats Choose Their Favorite People?
frequently asked questions
Why do cats like the smell of shoes?
Your shoes can be all kinds of exciting places for your cat. From the great outdoors to another house with pets, your shoes can smell all kinds of fun. Remember, your cat’s sense of smell is far better than yours, and your shoes give your cat information about where you’ve been and what you’ve done.
Why do cats like to rub their shoes?
Cats have scent glands all over their bodies, and when they rub things together, they leave a scent on things. This signals to other cats that this is their territory. They may also smell where another animal has smelled in order to claim your shoes!
Why is my cat stealing my shoes?
This can be a fun game for your cat, especially if it has gotten your attention before. This could be because your cat is seeking comfort from the familiar smell of your shoes and taking them to another place in the house where they feel safer resting or sleeping. Or it could just be your cat’s way of getting your attention.
Why does my cat smell my feet?
Your cat’s sense of smell is amazing, and they can pick up all kinds of odors from your feet. It could be that you’ve stepped on a funny smell, especially if you’re walking around someone’s house in socks or bare feet. Your cat will smell your feet to gather information about where you have been before.
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