Most cat parents have witnessed their cats carrying their favorite toy in their mouth or playing with it. But have you ever wondered why they do this?

Well, there are a few reasons for this cat behavior. 

One of the main reasons for cats carrying their toy is related to their natural hunting instincts. This behavior is very common for indoor cats who don’t have the opportunity to hunt real prey. 

To compensate, they view their toys as prey and engage in a “hunt and capture” game. Once they catch their “prey,” they might carry it around to show off their achievement.

Another reason could be linked to maternal instincts. Similar to how a mother cat carries her kittens, your cat might treat her favorite toy the same way.

Also, if your kitty was raised as the only kitty in the family or hasn’t had much interaction with other cats, it may bond with her favorite toy, which basically fills that gap and provides the cat with comfort. 

I remember my grandma’s cat doing something similar, cradling her toy as if it were her own kitten. This behavior is not uncommon and showcases the depth of emotions cats can have for their toys.

In the video below, you can see a gorgeous tabby feline who went to her neighbors just to “borrow” a tiger plush toy. She took the toy and walked away with it with such confidence. 

The cat was so adorable that I caught myself smiling while watching the video, especially in the end, when the kitty started playing with her tiger toy.

Does your kitty have its favorite toy that it likes to carry around? Share your experiences in the comments!