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A cream and brown Ragdoll cat holds a bundle of striped socks in its mouth and looks away in a messy bedroom. 24 / 31

A Fluffy Cat Marched Off With a Whole Bundle of Stolen Socks

AI imageragdollsocksbedroom

The long-haired cat strolls by with her prize firmly in her mouth: a tangle of striped gray, white, and navy socks. Her face is turned away, her blue eyes drift toward the left, and her long cream fur ruffles in the soft light. A basket of laundry and a few scattered clothes behind her explain where the socks came from. She walks with great purpose, as if on an important errand.

Some cats collect socks and other soft items and carry them around the house, sometimes yowling as they go. It may be a type of play or a way of showing off a hunting prize. Socks can be dangerous if a cat swallows them or chews off pieces, and string-like items can cause serious blockages, so keep laundry in a closed hamper. If your cat eats fabric, call your vet. Trading a sock for a toy or a treat can help your cat learn to let go.

Sock-snatching is a serious business for a cat like this one, perhaps named Mocha. She does not want to discuss it, and she has no plans to return the loot. It will be a long search for matching pairs. Meanwhile, she walks with her head high, as if wearing a crown made of laundry. A matching pair may turn up in a week, in the oddest of hiding places.

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