Feline affinity for clothing belonging to their human companions is a common observation among cat owners. Several factors contribute to this behavior, primarily centering around scent, comfort, and security. Items of clothing, particularly those recently worn, retain the owner’s unique scent profile. This scent serves as a comforting and familiar presence for the cat, potentially mitigating anxiety or promoting a sense of well-being.
The act of imbuing a space with one’s own scent is a crucial form of communication and territory marking for felines. By resting on an owner’s clothing, the cat is both absorbing the owner’s scent and depositing its own, reinforcing its connection to the owner and the shared living space. Furthermore, soft fabrics provide a comfortable and warm surface, which is particularly appealing to cats seeking a secure and pleasant resting place. The behavior may also stem from a desire for attention; the cat learns that resting on the clothing elicits a response from the owner, thereby reinforcing the action.