There ’s something sort of perversely sweet about cats ’ leaning to present their owners withdead miceor whatever other target they ’ve freshly vote out . Less sweet is their habit of “ drowning ” toys in their water bowls . Is there some scientific explanation for the behavior , or are thesecatsjust tug ?
Though we do n’t recognise for sure whatcatsare call back when they drown their favorite toy , expert do have some theories . One , asPennLive.com explain , is that domesticated cats consider their H2O bowl to be dependable , protect territory in the same way that their undomesticated forebears would ’ve view a nest or tax shelter . While their ancestors had actual fair game to hold in there , our cats have toy — which , in their eyes , are a form of quarry , especially if they ’re shaped like birds , Pisces the Fishes , or other likely food .
“ Most cats would link their prey - base plaything with food , and take to ‘ collect ’ them near their food and water dishes , ” animal behaviorist Beth McGonigal toldBeChewy .
Some cat specie , like tigers , have show an affinity for literally drown their target . But when your cat bats a plush computer mouse around its H2O bowling ball , it might just be adjudicate to entertain itself . “ It becomes a fun lilliputian secret plan , or a stimulating word form of frolic for them — they’re not necessarily attempt to further ‘ drown ’ the toy , ” McGonigal said .
It ’s also potential that you ’ve inadvertently trained your cat to surcharge its toys simply by reacting every time it materialise . Even if it ’s not needfully positive tending , it ’s still attention — and as cat behaviourist Dennis Turner toldThe New York Times , cats like that .
As long as the act is n’t interfere with your cat ’s piddle breathing in , it ’s fine to let it continue . But if you want to monish it , seek to push aside it . You could also supervene upon any animal - form toys with single that your computerized tomography is less probable to see as prey .
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