If you’ve ever seen your cat grab a blanket or towel in their mouth and drag it around the house, you may have wondered why they engage in this peculiar behavior. As cat owners, observing our feline friends’ quirky habits not only adds to the fun of living with them but can also provide insight into understanding cats better.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Cats drag blankets around for several reasons like marking territory, playing or hunting, soothing themselves, or hiding. It’s an instinctive habit in cats.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the top theories behind this blanket-dragging behavior in depth so you know exactly why your cat is doing it and what it means.
Marking Territory
Cats have a natural instinct to mark their territory as their own. They utilize both scent glands and visual cues to send the message that an area belongs to them. Understanding why cats exhibit these marking behaviors can help owners respond appropriately.
Scent Glands on Paws
Cats have scent glands concentrated in their paw pads and between their toes. When they knead or scratch objects, they are depositing pheromones from these glands. The pheromones communicate information to other cats about territory, social status, and more.
So when your cat drags blankets around the house, they may be trying to spread their scent to mark an area as theirs.
In addition to scratching furnishings, some other scent marking behaviors cats engage in include rubbing up against walls and furniture, rolling on the floor, or urinating small amounts to deposit odor. These are all natural methods for your cat to feel secure in their environment.
Visual Markers
In addition to scent cues, cats will also use visual signals. By dragging and moving blankets and other items to specific locations, they create visual markers of territory ownership. Often, they are making their preferred sleeping or feeding areas more comfortable while also sending the message that the spot belongs to them.
Other visual marking involves scratching textures like furniture or carpet. The resulting claw marks communicate “this domain is mine!” to other cats. Allowing appropriate scratching outlets like cat towers can curb damage to household items.
Understanding the purpose behind these instinctive feline behaviors is the first step. With patience and providing designated marking areas, owners can reduce inappropriate territorial marking in the home.
When conflicts arise between pets, addressing the underlying motivation often brings more harmony.
Play and Hunting Behaviors
Instinct to Catch Prey
Cats have a strong natural instinct to hunt prey. This behavior is deeply ingrained in their genetics from their wild ancestors. When cats drag blankets around, it allows them to simulate hunting behaviors even when prey is not present.
The act of grabbing the blanket with their teeth and pulling it along the ground allows them to practice capture techniques and satisfies their innate need to “catch” something.
According to a 2020 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 50% of domestic cats retain their predatory instincts despite not needing to hunt to survive. Your feline friend may be displaying vestiges of the hunt even if they are well-fed.
By dragging around blankets and simulating capture, it feels biologically rewarding to your cat on an instinctual level.
Practice Hunting Skills
In addition to a strong biological drive, practicing hunting techniques allows cats to keep their skills sharp. Much like how lion prides will play-fight with their cubs to prepare them for hunting, domestic cats may use blankets as substitutions for live prey when they want to stay nimble and ready to pounce.
According to animal behaviorists, even cats who are not outdoor hunters will engage in honing activities to maintain innate physical dexterity and mental acuity around seeking prey.
Blankets can serve as useful practice tools because of their size, weight, and slide-ability across smooth floors. Your cat may carry the blanket to different locations around the house, work on perfecting their grip on the fabric, and visualize a successful hunt.
Just like a tennis player volleying with an imaginary ball when an opponent isn’t around, this type of solo practice can keep a cat’s hunting sequences primed for when an actual mouse or bird does appear.
It allows them to reinforce the physical techniques and thought patterns involved in an effective stalk and capture.
Self-Soothing Habit
Cats dragging blankets around is often a harmless behavior related to self-soothing and comfort. Here are some key things to understand about this peculiar feline habit:
Instinctual Rooted Behavior
The tendency to drag blankets has instinctual roots in a cat’s ancestry. In the wild, cats would drag leaves, grass and other natural materials to create nests for sleeping, breeding and raising kittens. Domestic cats retain this instinctual nesting behavior for comfort and security.
Source of Soft Texture
Cats are attracted to the soft, flexible texture of blankets. Kneading and sucking on blankets mimics the tactile sensation of nursing from their mother as kittens. The soft fabric seems to have a universally soothing effect for cats.
Calming Effect
Dragging around blankets often signals a relaxed, content cat. The behavior releases endorphins that calm the nervous system. It can be a self-soothing habit to ease anxiety or settle down for a nap.
KITTY COCOONS
Your cat may drag blankets to create a little kitty cocoon to sleep or hide in. Building these cozy nests provides comfort, safety and a sense of ownership over their space.
Bonding Ritual
Some cats drag blankets to their owner as a special bonding ritual or gift. They see you as family and want to share their cozy blanket and cement your friendship.
Attention Seeking
For some cats, dragging blankets becomes an attention-seeking ploy. The behavior can become excessive and disruptive if your cat is bored and looking for playtime or interaction with you.
Hiding and Creating Safe Spaces
Cats often drag blankets around for a variety of reasons related to hiding and creating safe spaces. Here are some of the main reasons why cats exhibit this behavior:
To Make a Nest
One of the most common reasons cats drag blankets is to create a warm, cozy nest to sleep or rest in. By dragging a blanket into an enclosed space like a box, closet, or under furniture, they can create a little den that feels safe and secure.
The act of circling and working the blanket into just the right position lets them sculpt the perfect napping spot.
To Soothe Themselves
Kneading and sucking on blankets can have a self-soothing effect for cats. The rhythmic motion and contact with the familiar scented fabric can help relax them. Cats who were separated from their mothers early often knead and suckle on blankets throughout their lives to comfort themselves.
Dragging a favorite blanket to a safe spot serves dual purposes – comfort and security.
To Spread Scents
Cats have powerful senses of smell, so dragging items like blankets throughout their territory helps them spread their scent around. This allows them to mark their domain and reinforce that they belong there. It can also help mingling scents make new spaces smell more familiar and welcoming.
To Show Affection
Believe it or not, when your cat brings you a blanket or drags one near you, it can be a sign of affection. By bringing you an item that carries their own scent, they are trying to share their belongings and scents with you.
It is a gift and an invitation to get comfy with something that smells like them.
To Play
Especially for kittens and energetic young cats, dragging blankets around can simply be a form of play. They love grasping the fabric in their teeth and pulling it along the floor. The movement and sound it creates delights and entertains them as they playfully scamper and jump around.
To Show You Something
Sometimes cats will insistently drag a blanket to you or another location in an attempt to show you something. It could be a new spot they want to sleep or an item they have hidden under the blanket. Pay attention to where your cat is leading you when they fetch a blanket to better understand what they are trying to communicate.
Conclusion
In the end, blanket dragging demonstrates your cat’s natural instincts at play even when domesticated. By understanding the roots of this behavior, you can gain more appreciation for your cat’s innate nature.
The next time you see blankets strewn around the house, remember it’s your cat’s way of expressing themselves. With the reasons explored here, you now have deeper insight into the meaning behind this peculiar cat conduct!
