Why Does My Cat Carry Around a Toy and Meow? Cat Behavior Explained (Vet-Reviewed)

If you have a cat who likes to carry around their toy and meow, you are probably wondering what’s up with this strange behavior. Cats can do curious things, and this might be one of them! Should you shrug it off, or are you interested in learning why they do this? Keep reading as we look to see the possible reasons that your cat is behaving this way.

Why Do Cats Carry Toys and Meow?

1. Your Cat Wants to Play

Many people believe that cats carry toys and meow to get their owner’s attention, to let them know that it’s playtime. Cats who enjoy attention often find creative ways to let us know what they’re thinking. For such cats, bringing you a toy is usually a clear sign that they want to play.

2. Your Cat Is Expressing Love

Many cat owners know that their cats have a favorite toy. They will usually keep the toy close and even carry it around the house, hiding it to play with it later. If they bring the toy to you, one possible (albeit debatable) theory is that they trust you and have deep feelings toward you, especially if there are other people in the home. However, whether or not cats feel love in the same way we do is a widely debated topic.

3. Your Cat Is Teaching You to Hunt

Cats are carnivores and as such they spend much of their time hunting prey. Mother cats often bring prey to their kittens to teach them how to hunt. So, your cat might be attempting to follow their instincts and doing the same to you.

4. Your Cat Is Showing Off

Since cats spend part of their lives hunting, some people believe that they like to show off their catch, which may be why many cats bring their owners a dead mouse that they’ve caught. In some instances, this behavior may be replicated on a toy; they may simply be pretending to carry “prey” as a trophy of sorts.

5. The Cat’s Toy Is Broken

Some cats like toys for a specific reason. There are anecdotal claims that if the toy is damaged and no longer performs as it used to, your cat might be bringing it to you to show you that it’s broken. Perhaps it used to make a noise or had a string attached to it. If your cat doesn’t usually bring you toys, we recommend looking it over for signs of damage.

6. The Toy Is Empty

Many toys have a spot to fill with catnip or even insert a treat. If your cat is bringing you one of these toys, it might be their way of saying that they want a snack. A hungry cat can be incredibly persistent, and their meowing will get louder if you don’t respond.

7. The Cat Is Lonely

Another reason that your cat might be carrying a toy and meowing is that they are bored and looking for something to do. They might be holding the toy, unsure if they want to play, and meowing out of frustration. If your cat’s meow sounds more stressed than playful, they might not have anything to do, are lonely, and want attention, especially if they are the only cat and you are frequently away from home. If this is the case, you can reach out to a veterinarian and ask them about the best ways to keep your cat engaged.

Additional Information

Summary

Many people believe that a cat carries a toy and meows because they want to play, and while this is likely to be the case most of the time, there may be other reasons, too. For example, they could be demonstrating their skills as a hunter or even trying to teach you how to hunt. They may even be trying to tell you that the toy needs a replacement or that they’re lonely. Whatever the cause, give them attention and enjoy spending a few minutes together.

• See Also: Why Do Cats Sit on Their Toys? 6 Possible Reasons for This Behaviour

Featured Image Credit: Prostock-studio, Shutterstock