CattyCorner: The Reasons Why Cats Stick Their Heads in Shoes Revealed

By: Kelli Brinegar
For more than five years, Kelli Brinegar has been using her ability to write and her passion for research to tell the tale of what cats are thinking and why. She has provided care to more than 30 cats in her lifetime.Read more
| June 9, 2023

Greetings, my pawsome human minions.

‘Tis Forrest Wisewhiskers, your kitty of knowledge back again. And the eternal fascination you humans have for all things felines brings me here today to enlighten you on the profound mystery of why cats put their heads in shoes. This question begs an answer only because I’ve grown tired of hearing my parents ask about my love of their shoes. But here’s a secret revealed; it’s not so much about the shoes but about the delightful aromas found within.

Why Do Cats Stick Their Heads In Shoes?

First and foremost, allow me to address the obvious question. Why not put our heads in shoes? I mean, they’re perfectly shaped caves for our majestic noggins. Humans, with their boring human heads, will never understand the sheer bliss we experience as we rest our furry faces in those dark, mysterious crevices. It’s fun there in your smelly footwear!

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Beyond having fun peeping in your footwear, cats love shoes because they smell like the human they so adore. Your sweaty feet capture the bouquet that is you in the most aromatic of ways. And sticking our head in your shoes immerses us in your stink!

Plus, your shoes can tell us all about where you’ve been when you’ve left the house. As we cats are natural-born explorers, we crave thrilling scents, and shoes pick up so many! Seriously, think about all the places you walk, everywhere leaving a mark that your cat can smell.

And speaking of leaving a mark, cats are all about leaving our scent behind as a way of laying claim. As we sniff that shoe, we’re also rubbing our cheeks all over the material to add our scent signature to the mix. Any other animal who sniffs it will know who you and your shoes belong to! Two birds, one stone.

We Live To Entertain

Of course, we mustn’t overlook the entertainment value. You love watching your cat do what you think are funny and strange things—and watching your cat’s head disappear inside your cross-trainers or loafers is apparently hysterical. We get a kick out of watching you be entertained. After all, a happy minion is an attentive minion.

RELATED: 5 Ways To Tell Your Cats You Love Them In Their Own Language

So, there you have it, humans. The intricate reasons why we cats put our heads in your shoes. It’s a blend of curiosity, entertainment, marking territory, and our uncanny ability to transform any situation into an adventure. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a pair of my mom’s slippers that need my royal attention.

And you, dear minion, don’t forget to feed the cat.

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