If your cat often sits on its toys, this post will show you a number of likely reasons why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat sit on its toys? Likely reasons why your cat sits on its toys are that it thinks it is protecting its prey, or that it is playing with its prey.
There are a number of possible causes but there are some things you can do about it.
Reasons why your cat sits on its toys
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make them more likely.
It is covering its prey
The cause is likely to be that your cat thinks that it is covering its prey. In the wild, the prey of cats might be playing dead, so cats will often sit on the prey or sit on it to see if it starts moving again. This would be more likely if your cat does it shortly after playing with its toys.
It is protecting them
Another possible cause is that your cat thinks it is protecting its prey from being taken by another cat or animal. This would be more likely if your cat does it when other animals are nearby.
It is playing with its food
Cats will touch their prey to see if it moves and then will catch it again, when they are well fed. However, when cats are hungry, they will not usually play with their prey because they can’t afford to take any chances. If your cat also touches its toys and it does it more after eating, it would be likely that your cat is playing with its prey.
Encouraging it
A less likely but possible cause is that your cat has learned that the behavior is rewarded. If you tend to give your cat things such as other toys, when it sits on its toys, it might do it more in order to get more rewards.
Consider the timing of when you cat sits on its toys
It would help to consider the timing of when your cat does it. If it sits on its toys right after playing with them, it would be more likely that your cat is playing with its prey and protecting it from other animals. If it randomly sits on them, it would also be likely that it is hiding it from other animals.
What to do about your cat sitting on its toys
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Let it do it
It is not unusual for cats to sit on their toys. The easiest option would be to simply allow your cat to continue doing it.
Move the toys when it is not using them
Another option would be to move your cat’s toys when it is not using them to somewhere where your cat does not normally go.