Toy carrying is often read as an extension of the hunt sequence: catch, carry to a safe spot, display or cache, with the toy standing in for prey.
Some cats drop the toy at your feet and stare, a clear play invitation, and responding with a few fetch rounds often builds a regular ritual.
Nighttime toy-carrying yowls occur in some cats; if frequent with other changes, seniors should be checked for cognitive decline and sensory loss.
Stealing and stashing socks or underwear is the same behavior, so keep strings and small items away to prevent linear foreign-body injuries.
