Cats are interesting animals that often do things that remain a mystery to us. One behavior that some cats engage in is collecting random items. There’s yet to be a concrete explanation for why cats will collect, hide, or hoard certain items. This behavior may be connected to resource guarding, mothering instincts, or hunting instincts.
While it makes sense for cats to hoard and hide food and toys, some cats may develop a hobby of collecting unusual items. Here are some things that cats may end up collecting.
Top 6 Strange Things Cats Collect
Please note that the reasons provided for a cat collecting these items are not scientifically proven. Instead, they are the author’s opinion. Your cat may collect these or other items for different reasons.
Small items pose a choking and foreign body risk for cats. Whenever possible, you shouldn’t allow your cat to freely collect small items.
1. Jewelry
Some cats may end up stealing and hoarding jewelry. It’s unclear as to why cats may enjoy jewelry, especially because they’re not fond of wearing any. However, it’s possible that they’re attracted to the shine and light reflecting off them. Jewelry and precious metals may have similar effects to laser pointers and light that reflects off mirrors. So, cats may just be intrigued and attracted to items that sparkle.
2. Bottle Caps
Metal bottle caps can have a similar effect as jewelry. Some cats enjoy playing with plastic bottle caps that you can twist off of milk cartons and water bottles. Cats might like these items because they enjoy the sounds that they make. They make different noises when they’re dropped or slid across the floor. These sounds may sound similar to insects that cats may enjoy hunting, like cicadas and crickets.
I’ve had a cat that enjoyed stealing milk caps. We’d have to be very careful with holding them in our hands whenever we opened a milk carton, or she’d swipe them off our kitchen counter. She seemed to enjoy batting the caps and sliding them around the floor. She especially loved when the cap had a tail attached to it, and she could spend a long time playing with it.
3. Rubber Bands
Cats may enjoy stealing rubber bands because of their texture. Like jewelry and bottle caps, rubber bands can be choking hazards. Therefore, it’s best to store them away in safe and unreachable places to keep your cat safe.
4. Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes may not be very valuable to us, but many cats enjoy playing with cardboard boxes and hiding in them. My cat loves cardboard boxes, and you can see her getting visibly upset on garbage collection day. When it’s time to toss our boxes in the recycle bin, we always have to remember to leave one box for her.
Cats can find cardboard boxes comforting because they find safety in enclosed and dim spaces. They may also enjoy scratching them and sinking their claws into them.
5. Leaves and Paper
Some cats might enjoy collecting pieces of paper. You might find them playing with crumpled receipts and opened mail. Some cats might also like playing with and collecting dried leaves. The reason for this may be similar to the reason why cats like bottle caps. The leaves and paper can make noises that might be intriguing for cats.
6. Small Pieces of Plastic
Cats may develop a habit of collecting everyday household items, like floss picks, jar lids, and pen caps. They may enjoy playing with small pieces of plastic because they have a softer texture and can make some fun noises. For such cats, plastic items are relatively light and easy to carry around, and they’re usually found in abundance.
Is It Okay if My Cat Collects Things?
Collecting items is normal behavior that some cats will engage in, and it’s not a huge concern. However, there are some cases when it should be addressed and prevented. Some cats may collect things due to resource guarding.
Resource guarding is more common in multi-cat or multi-pet households. It occurs when one cat feels as though their resources are threatened. Consequently, they begin hoarding the sources. They are often seen getting aggressive when others come near their resources.
Resource guarding doesn’t necessarily have to be for items a cat can carry. Sometimes, a cat will defend their litter box from others. Likewise, they may consider a resting spot as “theirs” and not allow others to access it.
Some cats may collect items that are safety hazards. Cats can easily choke on small items, like coins and rubber bands. If they accidentally eat a non-food item, they’ll need to be assessed by a veterinarian promptly. This may involve surgery to remove the foreign body from their system. Strings, rope, or thread-like objects are the most common foreign body seen in cats. You can try to find safer alternatives and cat toys that are similar to these items, and make sure to store these objects in secured spaces.
If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.
If you have a question about your cat's health or behavior, why not Ask a Vet for Free with Catster. Our veterinary team answers reader questions and provides trusted advice to help you better understand your cat.
Conclusion
One of my favorite things about having pet cats is discovering their unique and quirky habits and personalities. Not all my cats collected objects, and the one that liked to swipe milk caps was completely healthy and was most likely acting out of curiosity and playfulness. Cats collecting random objects isn’t usually a problem (provided they don’t choke on or inadvertently swallow the item), but if you’re concerned, you can always speak with a veterinarian or a cat behaviorist to determine the best way to address the behavior.
Featured Image Credit: Viacheslav Lopatin, Shutterstock
Top 6 Strange Things Cats Collect
