Do you have a cat that loves nothing more than to drop playthings by your feet? If so, you might be asking yourself ‘why does my cat bring me toys?’. Many pet parents might assume it's because your cat wants to play. However, as research tells us, there could be a range of reasons why they keep leaving a stuffed mouse or feather wand by your side.
By now, you’ve probably noticed how territorial cats can be, especially when it comes to letting go of some of the best cat toys you’ve gifted them. And while dropping their favorite toy at your feet is a major compliment — as they’re entrusting you with one of their most beloved possessions — there could be lots of reasons why they keep doing this.
To get a better understanding of your furry friend and discover why your cat keeps bringing you toys — stick right here. We’ve compiled a list of four reasons why this might be.
1. They want to play
It’s the simplest explanation here, but if you’ve been away from the house for most of the day then your cat will likely be starved of attention, and want an immediate top-up. This is usually the case if they’ve bought you a stuffed toy – or even another object that could be used as a toy – and dropped it at your feet.
If you find your kitty is particularly demanding around this, engaging them in 10-15 minutes of play is likely to make a huge difference to their behavior. But don't worry if you don't have time to meet their need in that moment because the best automated cat toys can help keep them occupied until you're free to play.
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2. They see the toy as a trophy
Cats will instinctively hunt, stalk, and catch their prey, because those are the instincts that are embedded into their DNA. This is why outdoor cats have been known to bring in the grisly relics of their ‘hunt’ – they see what they have caught as a trophy, and are presenting it to you as such, either as a reward for you, or as their means of contribution to the household! In the absence of live prey, indoor cats will use cat toys as a substitute, hence why they are bringing them to you.
In the absence of toys, they may even bring you items of clothing or other objects, possibly as a way of teaching you how to hunt. It may be that you find this behavior endearing and don’t want to discourage it, but if you do, we recommend checking out some of our buying guides to provide them with some alternative means of amusement!
- Why do cats play with their prey? Cat hunting behavior explained
- Why do cats need a scratching post?
- How to clean cat toys: A guide to keeping your feline friend's toys fresh
3. As a sign of love or trust
If your cat purrs or bumps their head against you before or after dropping the toy off near you, then it’s probably safe to say that they’re doing this as a sign of affection. As previously mentioned, cats are very territorial, and the fact that they are willing to share their hunting spoils with you is very much intended as a compliment, showing their trust and respect for you. If you pet them afterwards, it will show them that you reciprocate and appreciate their actions. Similarly, it may even be the case that they trust you enough to look after it, so are leaving it with you for safekeeping.
Some even theorize that cats see humans as poor hunters, unable to care for themselves, and are bringing you this gift as a way to look after you. Either way, if they are bringing things to you, then it’s almost certainly a positive sign for your relationship.
4. To get you to fix it
If your cat has a favorite toy that's looking a little worse for wear and they're regularly bringing it to you, it's likely that they're trying to point out that their much-loved stuffed mouse is in need of a little TLC.
This is particularly likely if they have a catnip-filled toy that they can't get enough of that's running low on the good stuff. Make sure you repair any damaged toys or replace when they're past the point of fixing, and keep catnip toys well filled up so that they don't lose any of their enticing aroma.
In summary...
Rest assured that your kitty frequently bringing you toys and other gifts is nothing to worry about - if anything, it's a positive thing. Your feline friend is simply choosing to include you in behaviors that would come naturally to them in the wild and that they'd indulge in with other members of their clowder, a huge honor indeed!
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