Expert's theory on why cat owners are suddenly buying concrete slabs for their kitties

When you have a cat certain accessories are a must; there's the scratching post, tree or tower, litter box and of course, a collar.

What you probably would've never considered getting for your cat though, is a concrete slab.

But owners are flocking to hardware stores to secure pavers for their cats and showing their kitties' ecstatic responses on TikTok.

Watch the video above.

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Given how much cats seem to love exploring, scratching and rolling around on these concrete slabs, a pet behaviourist has weighed in on the trend.

Before sharing her theories in a TikTok video, Dr Annie advised that cats' fascination with concrete has not been studied but she has theories on why felines are loving it.

Dr Annie's first guess is that cats love the pavers because they are new to the home and different to what's already there.

"Due to cats' territorially and predatory nature they really like new stuff," she said.

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The second theory is that the porous nature of concrete means they hold a cat's scent well and it allows for good scratching.

"A big part of the way cats communicate that a territory belongs to them is through their scent so anything you can do to help that along is good for them," she continued.

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"This is traditionally done by spreading litter boxes and other scent soaking stuff like cat beds and cat scratchers throughout your home but these concrete blocks are probably playing that role too.

"In a lot of the videos I've seen the cats are visibly scent marking [the concrete slabs] using their cheek glands."

As for the scratching element of the pavers, Dr Annie said it provides the cats with "pleasant tactile stimulation" that they can have control over.

Dr Annie's third guess for why concrete slabs are such a hit with cats is because of how warm the pavers get when placed in a sunny spot.

"Cats like warmth because they have a higher body temperature than humans do and they evolved from a species adapted to a warm environment. This concrete is another way to give them a little bit more control and choice – if they want to warm up they now have the option to seek out this concrete block," she said.

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In the comment section of Dr Annie's TikTok many cat owners said they noticed how much their cats love rolling around on concrete outside so it makes sense they love it inside too.

"My cat walks on a leash and loves rolling around on the concrete outside," one said.

"Cat loves going outside simply to roll around on our concrete stoop. He is in heaven rolling around and making so many different noises," another said.

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If you're thinking about getting a concrete slab for your cat Bunnings has various sizes for as little as $1.26 for a small 200 x 100 x 50mm block.

Slabs similar in size to those in TikTok videos on the trend measuring 300 x 300 x 40mm start from $4.76, making it an absolute bargain as a cat accessory.

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