My darling kitty was so enamored with my shoes that she spent a long time playing with them one day when I was at home reading my novel. Whenever I walk in, she always embraces my shoes. It seemed alright at first, then she went on to scrape and damage my favorite sneakers.
This made me wonder why she likes my shoes so much?
Well, most pet owners have definitely noticed this issue. Therefore, CatLovesBest has listed 7 reasons why cats love shoes.
Cat’s obsession with your shoes is because of olfactory, your sweat entices them they remind them of you. This method of snuggling shoes can help her to calm down.
Reasons Why Cats Like Your Shoes
There are several reasons why cats love shoes but the most common reason is it gives them your presence she associates it with you. Especially when you are not around. They can relate to the smell of your shoes with you. This might sound funny but it’s not.
1. Bunting Behavior
Cats have pheromones on their cheeks and paws. They use their pheromones glands to claim their territory. So, when they rub their paws, face against your body they are basically claiming you as their property.
This is also called bunting. They will use their pheromones to let other cats know that you are their person. Isn’t it too cute?
So, when your feline friend marks things and objects in this way she will tell others it is hers, and she will return to it.
When your cat leaves its scent on your shoes, they contain not only your scent but also your cat’s making those shoes appear twice as appealing.
So, one of the reasons why cats love shoes is because they mark their pheromones on you and claim you as their person.
1. Scent Tells Them About You
Do you know cats smelling power is fourteen times stronger than us humans?
Felines have a special smell organ for smelling. Their body truly depends on the smelling power they sense things according to these.
They use smelling power to hunt around. So, they pay extra attention to their smelling senses. The special organ part which they use for sniffing and receiving messages is called Jacobson’s organ also known as the vomeronasal organ. They can taste the smell so, they can seek all information.
So, cats use their nose to find out prey and can investigate anything from that. Similarly, when you open your shoes after coming from the office they run to lay on them because they give you your essence.
Your body sweat smells similar to you therefore, they will gravitate to your shoes. Ugh! Don’t gross it out. It is not dirty for your cat, there is nothing wrong because it is normal for her.
3. Makes Them Feel Safe
When you are not around the house or have gone on vacation your shoe smell can make your cat feel safe and comfortable.
The sweat in the shoes reminds them of you close to them. They try to comfort themselves by naturally sniffing your shoes. It soothes their separation anxiety.
Your pair of shoes will help to calm her and tell her that you are around them. This is similar to a cat sniffing your clothes, bedsheet, blanket, and your favorite spot on the couch.
Your shoes work as a substitute for you.
4. To Taste You
Human perspiration contains pheromones, which is appealing to cats in the same way that catnip is. This is a gesture of appreciation for the visceral bond that exists between people and cats.
Moreover, the presence of sweat in your shoes is salty in nature, and it can allure your cat to check upon variety. This is due to diverse scents that linger in the shoes which you keep on wearing from one place to another. That’s the reason she will pay more attention to it.
5. They Enjoy It
One of the reasons why cats love shoes could possibly be because of fun. They enjoy sniffing your sneakers. It is entertaining for her.
You may notice that it can become her toy and as there is a hole inside it can make her curious she may feel something is inside it, and therefore she will keep inserting her head to check what’s inside. Or she may want to hide inside that.
Well, while removing her head shoes may move and the cat will be attracted to that. Because of the movement of shoes made by her, she will go nuts. And, she will keep repeating as she may think it’s a game.
So, your sneakers can become their exercise machine hahaha.
6. Accessible Place
Your legs are the most convenient place for your kitty as they remain on the ground all the time. They can catch your legs easily and as it is an accessible place it makes your cat fond of your shoes.
Your cat will love your shoes maybe because of the laces on them. It will entice her to play, she may chew that, and she even loves to snuggle it.
7. They Are Attracted to You
Your fragrance is attractive to your cat. Although it may appear unusual, some cats are actually comforted and relaxed by the fragrance of our sweat and respond positively to it.
Cats that search out shoes, regardless of motivation, are complementing their owners. The desire to be near a person’s distinctive aroma suggests a strong affinity to them.
FAQs
1. Why do cats like their owners’ shoes?
The basic reason why cats like their owner’s shoes are that they are attracted to them, they love them and their master smell is soothing for them.
They can do this to taste their sweat, felines use their pheromones to mark their territory so, they come near your shoes. It simply indicates that they are telling you you are their person.
2. Why are cats attracted to stinky feet?
Felines use their keen sense of smell to distinguish themselves from outsiders. Humans’ feet are loaded with high concentration pheromones and cats like the smell of their master pheromones.
For them, it is not gross, if they like you, they will love your stinky feet too as it won’t be smelly to them!
3. Why do felines cuddle their owner’s shoes?
Sweat in your shoes allured your feline friend. So, they come near your shoes or simply sit on them or hug them. And, while sleeping, she gets the vibes of positivity. It makes them feel safe and that’s the reason why they hug them.
Moreover, by this act, they also put their smell on your shoes which other cats can easily distinguish.
4. How can I get my shoes back from my cat?
The easy way to save your shoes and prevent them from scratching is by keeping them in your shoe rack and locking the door. In this way, you can easily store and save your sneakers.
Other than that you can provide her with an alternative. Simply give her old shoes which are not of use anymore. It will work for your kitty cat.
Well, That’s a Wrap!
The reasons why cats love shoes are because it is highly concentrated with humans’ sweat and smell. Your smelly feet can entice your cat. It won’t gross her out. Cats use their nose for survival. They decode every message through their sense of smell and that’s why they have additional smelling power than humans.
So, they use your smell to feel comfortable when you are not around, it calms them down. It is an act of honor and a sign that your cat loves you a lot.
They also constantly try to add their smell with the help of their pheromones. If you like this article do comment down below! Also, don’t forget to share it with other cats owners too!
References
- Common cat behaviors — UC Davis
- Why Does Your Cat Like Stinky Shoes? — National Geographic