Cats can be finicky and tend to dislike many things that we’d like them to interact with, like new toys and beds. Many cats would rather play with or sleep in a cardboard box! So, it might not come as a surprise to see your cat interact with a damp towel that you have just used. Some cats simply love their owner’s damp towels and will seek them out whenever possible. Why is this? There are a few good reasons to ponder. Here’s what you should know.
The 3 Reasons Why Cats Like Damp Towels
1. Your Cat Enjoys Your Scent
One of the biggest reasons that your cat might want to lie on your damp towel is because they like your scent. When you dry off after a shower or wipe your hands off for any reason, you leave some of your scents behind on the towel that you used. Your cat knows your scent well, so they won’t hesitate to get close to it when they detect it on your towel.
You can tell that your cat likes your scent if they rub their body lovingly all over your freshly damp towel. If you don’t want your cat rubbing up on your damp towel after a shower, hang it up somewhere where they can’t reach it. Once the towel dries, it should not be so attractive to your feline family member.
2. Your Cat Wants to Cool Off
Another reason that you might see your cat lying on a damp towel is to cool themselves off. The dampness can help cool your cat’s coat and decrease their body temperature on a hot summer day. So, if your cat is hot, they may try to get a hold of a damp towel in the kitchen or bathroom and expose their body to it.
To help your cat cool off during the summer months without getting your favorite towels all hairy, you can get an old cloth or T-shirt (if you don’t have anything available at home, check out a local thrift store), make it damp, and give your kitty access to it in the bathtub or shower stall. They’ll likely enjoy the dampness and leave alone the damp towels that you prefer to stay clean.
3. Your Cat Just Wants to Be Near You
Sometimes, your cat just wants to be near you and ends up plopping down on the damp towel that you just took off your head while getting ready for the day. If this tends to happen regularly, try putting a portable kitty bed nearby and hanging up your towel immediately. Chances are that your kitty will hop into the bed and hang out with you that way, just like they would if they were lying on your damp towel.
How to Take Advantage of Your Cat’s Love for Damp Towels
There are a few benefits of having a cat that loves damp towels. First, you can use a damp towel to clean your kitty by rubbing it against their fur. A quick rubdown with a damp towel a few times a week can help keep your cat’s coat clean and pristine. Another benefit of having a cat that likes damp towels is that they know how to stay cool and hydrated on hot days when they have access to such towels.
Final Thoughts
Many cats like damp towels. Exposure to a damp towel shouldn’t be a threat to your cat, but it could be an inconvenience for you because cat hair will be left behind. Luckily, it’s just a matter of hanging up your damp towel to keep your cat from gaining access to it if you don’t want them to.
Featured Image Credit: Standret, Shutterstock
The 3 Reasons Why Cats Like Damp Towels
