Isn't it cactus prickly?

Middle of the night I was awakened by the noise of an object fallen on the floor. One from my cats usually sleeping with me on my bed, and I suspected it's her handiwork. Well, 'clutchiwork'. Waken up I found that cactus is laying on the floor and some its pieces are on windowsill. The cat has disappeared. She got she's in troubles. Thou exactly I have to lift up that cactus and put it on shelf. It's fucken prickly by the way! 

So why the cat touch it if it's prickly? Can you explain?