Why are my cats going crazy over this parcel?

[1wokeuplikethis]

A parcel has just been delivered, I’ve not opened it but know it’s a book. It’s wrapped in plastic and both of my cats have gone absolutely crazy over it.

They are rubbing themselves on it, biting it, licking it, fighting over it, I’ve never seen anything like it.

What’s going on? Has it been doused in catnip or something?

Cats are very contrary creatures! We will need photographic proof 🤪

Maybe the sender has an interesting pet? We keep ferrets and I once sent a parcel to someone whose cat wouldn't leave it alone when it arrived!

Mouse urine?

Are they female cats? One of mine has a similar reaction to sweaty clothes/shoes/hats/hair Maybe the sender was a very sweaty person?

If it was me I would hope it's because it contains something cats like such as catnip.

Unfortunately I would also suspect that the parcel has been in a warehouse or somewhere similar and stinks of mice/rats.

Wash your hands after touching it OP - especially if you find there is no catnip!

I just reread and have seen it's a book.

Wash your hands!

Is it in a box? Are they trying to get first dibs?

If it was my cats - it’s the plastic or it’s been near pineapple. Cats are weird.

When my carer has cleaned the bathroom and his hands smell of bleach the cat is all over him rubbing her face on his hands. I agree cats are weird.

For one of my cats it would be the plastic. She likes to lick cables and the vacuum cleaner hose. Not all plastics though, but she’d be like this if her fav chemical combo arrived.

Some plastics are made of a combination of compounds that can send cats insane with excitementxand pleasure. You used to find certain carrier bags would affect some cats more than others. If the book is wrapped in plastic that is most likely the reason. Its like ultra potent catnip.

I think quite a lot of plastic bags, bin liners, cellophane, etc contain animal fat (hence driving some cats insane)!

My weird cat likes to lick glue so would be trying to get at whatever adhesive is sealing the parcel.

It’s just wrapped in tough plastic. I’ve left it in the middle of the floor because they like it so much but now after reading all the mouse wee comments I think I’ll just burn it…

My cat goes crazy for rubber bands and elastic hair ties. If the parcel has a rubber band around it, or the parcel tape or book dust jacket contains the same compounds, that might explain it.

If it's from a private seller? I've had things from eBay where the seller has sprayed the item with perfume to try to disguise it's smell. You might not be far wrong with the catnip idea as some cats react to lavender in the same way.

@sashh

When my carer has cleaned the bathroom and his hands smell of bleach the cat is all over him rubbing her face on his hands. I agree cats are weird.

My first cat used to roll around in bleach you had put on the floor and then lick himself clean 🤣🤣 he used to sit around then stoned out of his tree from it. If he heard a spray bottle he would come ruining

@romdowa She, strangely, doesn't react to catnip, but I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one to have a bleach obsessed cat.

I had a cat who would go bonkers for emery boards.

I once had a cat who was obsessed with the Radio Times, I think it must have been the smell of the ink they used.

@purrswhileheeats

Are they female cats? One of mine has a similar reaction to sweaty clothes/shoes/hats/hair Maybe the sender was a very sweaty person?

Oh God, mine does this too

DH comes home from cycling and she leaps right into his bag of dirty clothes before he has the chance to put them in the wash. She rolls all over them squeaking and purring - little oddball!

Dcat recipe book?

It could be as simple as the seller has a cat maybe?

Are the cats both the same gender? Could be a boy cat or a girl cat.

Similarly it could also be a new smell they both like? If from a factory however I would also agree on the likelihood of it being critters.

Another one with bleach-obsessed cat. If I've cleaned the loo floor I have to make sure I shut the door until it's dried and tell the family to keep it shut and even then she'll go and roll on it after it's dried. Daft thing.

Maybe bleach adoration should become another kitty event, it would fit well just before the 'longest day snooze' and after the 'teach your slave you no longer like that food' event.