Cat brings toys to bed – reasons and solutions

Have you ever wondered why your cat brings toys to bed?
This behavior can be confusing and leaves many cat owners perplexed.

Cats bring toys to bed to display their prey, demonstrate their hunting skills, or simply because they want to play and interact.
In this blog post, we explore the different reasons why cats bring toys to bed and offer practical solutions to this surprising behavior.

Hunting Lessons: Why Your Cat Wants to Teach You to Hunt

Have you ever wondered why your cat sometimes brings you toys or small animals? This behavior is more than just play; it's part of their natural instinct. Cats are hunters by nature, and in the wild, mother cats would teach their kittens to hunt by bringing them killed or injured prey. If your cat brings you toys, they may be trying to teach you similar lessons.

It is important to understand that this behavior is a sign of trust and bonding. Your cat sees you as part of his family and wants to share his skills with you. By showing you how to "hunt," he is expressing his affection and integrating you into his world. This can be observed especially often in indoor cats who do not have the opportunity to hunt outside.

Prey behavior: What does it mean when your cat brings objects?

When your cat brings you objects such as toy mice or even small insects, they are exhibiting typical prey behavior. This behavior is deeply rooted in the cat psyche and dates back to the times when they lived in the wild and had to hone their hunting skills to survive. Today, cats often bring you toys instead of real prey to demonstrate their hunting skills.

There are several reasons why cats bring "prey":

• Play and interaction: They want to play and interact with you.
• Teaching behavior: They try to teach you to hunt, similar to how they would teach their kittens.
• Affection and gifts: Often a sign of affection, your cat will bring you a "gift" as part of their social behavior.

Dealing with live prey in bed

Waking up to a live mouse in bed can be an unpleasant surprise for any cat owner. This behavior of your cat bringing live prey to bed follows the same natural instinct that leads them to bring toys. They are following their hunting instinct and may want to share their prey with you or consume it in a safe place.

If you find yourself in such a situation, here are some practical tips:

• Stay calm: Avoid sudden movements that may frighten the cat or the prey.
• Secure the prey: If possible, distract the cat and bring the prey safely outside.
• Hygiene: Clean the area thoroughly to avoid possible health risks.

Appreciation through toys: What your cat wants to tell you

When your cat brings you toys, they are not just doing it out of play. Often, it is a sign of their appreciation and affection for you. Cats use bringing toys to strengthen their bond and show you that they consider you an important part of their life. This behavior can be considered a form of communication through which cats express their feelings without using words.

There are several ways cats can show their appreciation:

• By bringing toys: They show you that they want to include you in their "hunt".
• Purring and cuddling: These are further signs that they feel comfortable and secure.
• By sharing their favorite spot: If your cat allows you to sit next to them or even sleep, it is a great sign of their trust and appreciation.

By recognizing and appreciating these gestures, you can further strengthen the bond with your cat and show her that her efforts do not go unnoticed.

Reward expectation: Does your cat expect something in return?

If your cat brings you toys to bed, she might actually expect something in return. This behavior is often not just a sign of affection or playfulness, but can also represent a type of reward expectation. Cats are very intelligent animals and quickly learn which behaviors will get a positive response from you. For example, if every time she brings you toys, you respond by playing with her or petting her, she might learn that this behavior elicits a pleasant response.

There are several signs that may indicate that your cat expects something in return:

• She will meow or make other noises to get your attention when she brings the toy.
• She will stay close to you and wait for a reaction instead of simply turning away or ignoring the toy.
• Increased toy retrieval , especially after being praised or rewarded.

These behaviors show that your cat is not only being playful, but also expects a certain response from you that is rewarding for her.

Boredom as a reason for bringing toys

Boredom may be a major factor explaining why cats bring toys to bed. Cats are naturally curious and playful animals. When they don't get enough mental and physical stimulation, they look for ways to keep themselves occupied. Bringing toys may be a way they try to combat their boredom while also getting your attention. They may want you to play with them to help them relieve their boredom.

There are several signs that your cat is bored:

• Repeatedly bringing toys , even if you don't throw them or interact with them.
• Lack of interest in her surroundings , which may indicate that she does not have enough stimulation.
• Excessive sleeping could also be a sign of boredom if it is not in line with their normal behavior. To avoid boredom in your cat, it is important that you play with them regularly and provide them with toys that challenge them mentally and physically.

Toy Care: Why Your Cat Brings It to Bed

If your cat brings her toy to bed, she may be showing that she wants you to take care of it. This behavior may be a sign that the toy has special meaning to her and she wants to keep it safe. Cats are very territorial animals and the bed, as your personal space, is often seen as a safe place. By placing her toy there, she is showing you that she trusts you and that the toy is in good hands with you.

It is important to respond to this behavior correctly in order to strengthen the bond with your cat. Here are a few simple steps to take to care for the toys you bring with you:

• Inspection: Check the toy for damage or wear. Cats sometimes bring toys that need to be repaired or replaced.
• Cleaning: Keep toys clean, especially when they are brought to bed. This will prevent dirt and germs from entering your sleeping area.
• Interaction: Show interest in the toy by playing with it or placing it in a prominent place. This reinforces to your cat that her gift is appreciated.

These steps will not only help keep the toy in good condition, but will also encourage positive interaction between you and your cat.

Types of toys: Which toy is right for your cat?

Choosing the right toy for your cat can be challenging, but it's worth taking the time to find the perfect toy. Different cats have different preferences. Some love playing with interactive toys that require your involvement, like cat fishing rods, while others may prefer plush and fabric toys that they can kick and hug. Here are a few types of toys to consider:

• Interactive toys: Ideal for shared play sessions and to strengthen bonds.
• Plush and fabric toys: Perfect for cats who like to use their claws and "hunt".
• Intelligence toys: Challenge your cat's mind and keep them mentally active.

Safety is another important aspect when choosing cat toys. Make sure the toy does not contain small parts that your cat could swallow. The material should also be high quality and non-toxic. A good strategy is to offer a variety of toys to keep your cat curious and avoid boredom. Remember to change toys regularly and plan interactive play sessions to keep your cat physically and mentally challenged. Here are some tips for safety and variety:

• Check safety: No small parts that can be swallowed.
• Material quality: Use only non-toxic materials.
• Offer variety: Different toys provide variety.

Training: How to stop cats from retrieving prey

If you want your cat to stop bringing prey home, patience and consistency are required. Start by creating alternative places in the garden or on the balcony where your cat can put its prey without bringing it into the house. This will help redirect your cat's behavior and provide an acceptable place for it to exercise its hunting instincts.

In addition, it is helpful to offer your cat regular play times to satisfy its hunting instinct. Here are some ideas for suitable games:

• Toys that move and stimulate hunting instincts
• hide-and-seek games with treats
• Interactive toys that your cat can use independently when you are not at home

Rewards can also be an effective way to control your cat's behavior. Ignore the prey that is brought in and instead reward your cat when it leaves its prey outside.

Disposal of Dead Mice: Best Practices

If your cat brings home dead mice, it is important to dispose of them safely and hygienically. A good method is to wrap the mouse in newspaper and then put it in a sealed bag in the trash. This prevents odors and keeps pests away.

Here are a few tips on how to best handle dead mice:

• Always wear gloves to avoid direct contact.
• Avoid disposing of the mouse in the organic waste bin as this is not permitted.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after disposal to ensure hygiene.

Prevent unwanted prey with Flappie – Try it now!

Are you tired of your cat bringing unwanted prey like mice or birds into your home? Flappie , the smart cat flap, can help you solve this problem. With its advanced camera and AI technology, Flappie detects if your cat has something in its mouth and denies it entry until it lets the prey out.

Using the Flappie app makes it even easier to manage this system. You can adjust the cat flap settings, receive alerts when your cat tries to come into the house with prey, and even see live video of the incidents. Try Flappie now and enjoy a prey-free home!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a cat bring toys to bed?

Cats bring toys to bed to display their prey, demonstrate their hunting skills, or simply because they want to play and interact. This behavior can also be a sign of their appreciation and affection for you, as they want to include you in their "hunt."

What to do if a cat brings you a toy?

When your cat brings you toys, it's important that you respond. You can play with the toy or place it in a prominent place to reinforce to your cat that their gift is appreciated. Also, check the toy for damage or wear and keep it clean, especially if it is brought to bed.

Why does my cat fetch?

Cats retrieve to demonstrate their hunting skills, to teach you how to hunt, or to express their affection and bond with you. This behavior is part of their natural instinct and can also be a sign that they want to play and interact with you.