Why Do Cats Like Shoes?

Cat owners may have noticed that their cats often have an obsession with shoes, whether it's sniffing them, batting at them, or even sleeping on, in, or near them. Why do cats love sleeping on shoes so much? Why do some cats even move shoes from their spot by the front door and hide them elsewhere?

Why Do Cats Sit On Shoes?

There are legitimate reasons behind why cats find shoes so fascinating, and understanding these reasons can help curb any shoe-related issues in the future. Here are a few reasons why cats would want to stay near shoes:

Familiar Smells

For a cat, their sense of smell is likely the most important of their five senses. It is fourteen times as strong as a human's, and cats have twice as many olfactory receptors in their nasal tissue. They also possess a specialized organ in the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson's organ (also known as the vomeronasal organ), which humans lack. This organ allows cats to effectively taste the scents and pheromones in the air, providing them with a wealth of information about the animals and people nearby. Cats are naturally inquisitive, investigating new smells, but they also seek out familiar scents that make them feel safe and at ease.

Claimed Territory

Cats themselves create and secrete their own uniquely scented pheromones in glands throughout their body, including their cheeks. When your cat rubs their face up against you or an object (otherwise known as bunting), they're leaving their mark to say, 'I've been here before. This belongs in my space and makes me feel safe.' Cats are drawn to things that smell like themselves and those they love. Sleeping on your shoes is your cat's way of saying they feel comfortable with you, are reassured by your presence, and love you!

Comfort Zones

Your cat may not just be sleeping on your shoes to show affection. Objects that smell like you�such as clothing, shoes, or blankets can comfort your cat in stressful situations. Sleeping on your shoes could be a method of self-soothing for your cat while you're away. This may explain why your cat doesn't just rest on your shoes but might move them to another location. Your cat may take a shoe to a favorite resting area, using it as a security blanket to keep a part of you close by. If your cat was bottle-raised, they might even suckle on your shoes or socks. Cats weaned too early from their mother often develop an oral fixation, nibbling or suckling on items that smell like their owner. This behavior is another method of self-soothing, and shoes left on the floor provide easy access.

Reclaiming Your Shoes

Understanding why your cat is obsessed with shoes and recognizing it as an expression of appreciation doesn't make it any less frustrating when you're running late and can't find your shoes. Constantly searching for shoes that your cat has moved can quickly become tiresome. Convincing your cat to leave your shoes alone can be challenging.

Store Away Shoes

Preventing your cat from accessing your shoes can be easier than stopping the behavior entirely. Storing your shoes in a closet or a sealed plastic bin is a simple solution. Remember, cats are adept climbers, so placing shoes on a high shelf may not suffice to keep them inaccessible.

Redirect Attention

If preventing access to your shoes isn't feasible, try redirecting your cat to another item that smells like you but isn't as valuable, like an old T-shirt or sock. If you catch your cat trying to steal a shoe, avoid shouting or acting aggressively, as this may startle them without explaining your frustration. Even if they drop the shoe in alarm, they might not understand why you're upset.

While shoes might not seem like comfortable spots to us, cats love them because they remind them of their favorite people. The next time you see your cat snoozing on your sneakers, snap a picture, offer them a blanket, and enjoy the fact that your cat is expressing love for you.