Why is my strange cat doing this?

[ProtegeMoi]

I have a 4 year old female cat, adopted from a rescue 2 years ago.

She is a lovely, well behaved friendly little thing.

Ever since we have had her she has had this strange habit of stealing socks, she takes a sock and carries it around the house crying quite loudly, she will curl up in bed with the sock and lick it if you leave her to do it, if you take the sock she gets another and continues. She has also done it with small soft toys.

I've never really thought much of it as she's always done it but a friend saw her doing it yesterday and said it was really strange behaviour and asked if she was pregnant, definately not as spayed years ago.

Does anyone else have a cat who does this? And why do they do it?

My cat does the same Apparently they're her kittens is what someone told me. Mine takes 2 pairs of socks up the stairs at night, miaowing then brings them down every morning. Also, does it with her little toys. Very sweet

Seniorboy has small teddies that are taken, chewed, and dipped in his food bowls - and then chewed again. But he's a male. He also loves a pair of socks rolled into a sausage shape.

PS - and he prefers to 'find' them rather than having them handed to him on a plate so that sort of equates to your girl stealing them. (I place them in the same out of the way places but just visible.)

My female cat does this with certain toys, paper, small teddies etc. She walks around wailing and sounding like she is in pain but then lies down and plays with her 'toy'.

PS - just a tip for those of you on tight budgets.

Next time you're walking by a charity shop, pop in and have a look at their kiddies' soft toy bin. (Most have them.) You can usually pick up very small teddies or equivalents for 50 pence maximum. (I got two very good quality ones yesterday for a total of 60p.) Snip off any protruding bits/scarves etc, a quick wash in the machine, an hour's drying and they're good to go.

It's quite a saving if you have a cat who chews things up.

Well strictly speaking, it was a teddy and a monkey but I don't think that Seniorboy, while a bright little blighter, is going to distinguish.

My cat steals DS's soft toys every evening after he has gone to bed, carries them downstairs crying and then leaves them like trophies for me. Much the same as when she used to catch wildlife outdoors...

They do seem to prefer objets trouvés don't they? I suppose it is like hunting.

I used to have a cat that loved balled up socks and would thieve a pair off the bed after DH had sorted the clean washing out.

My current girlie has a toy gonk that came with her from the cats home and she runs around calling out with it every day. She brings it to whichever room we're in, so we're not quite sure whether she's bringing us imaginary kitten or imaginary prezzie-mouse!