#1 Why They Hold Onto Stuffed Toys

1. It’s my prey!

Domestic cats
rarely hunt for food.

Therefore, they sometimes play hunting games,
using a stuffed toy and kicking or biting it.
This allows them to satisfy their instincts.

If, however, the toy that your cat plays with is too small,
you need to take caution so that he/she does not swallow it
while playing hunting games.

Even if the toy is not small,
you should still be careful as cats may swallow the tiny pieces,
such as the eyes or buttons.


2. I’m using it as a pillow

There are some cats who like to
rest their chin on their hands

If your cat is holding a stuffed toy
and using it as a pillow,
it could be that the toy is just the right height to rest his/her chin on.


3. It’s soft and warm

As most stuffed toys are made of cotton and fabric,
they tend to be soft and plush.

Therefore, simply holding one
is enough to warm up one’s body.

Since cats like things that are soft and warm,
they may hold on to stuffed toys.


4.It’s comforting

If the stuffed toy that your cat is cuddling with
is one that he/she has been playing with since young,
he/she may be doing so
to feel the sense of comfort
that comes from the toy’s familiar scent and texture.


#2 Things To Note When Changing Your Cat’s Stuffed Toy

Even if your cat loves his/her stuffed toy,
you need to change it out
if it gets too old or dirty.

However, your cat may feel a sense of loss and feel anxious
if his/her favorite toy suddenly disappears.

If you need to change your cat’s toy,
you should give your cat enough time to adjust to the new toy
by giving him/her both the original toy
and the new one before the switch.