It’s that
time of year for many cat owners to see an increase in the number of unwanted
presents brought into the home by the household cats. These gifts often include
mice, voles, birds, and sometimes even larger animals such as rabbits. No one likes
coming downstairs to see such presents and it can be even more stressful if the
animal is still alive. So why do cats bring us these little gifts?
Your Cat’s
Not Hungry
Some people
think that perhaps the cat is hungry, that they go and hunt to fill their tummies,
but this isn’t the case. Studies have shown that well fed cats will continue to
hunt, it’s in their blood. These incredible creatures are born to hunt, they
kill billions of small animals each year. They aren’t evil, they are carnivores
that have retained their natural instincts despite being domesticated over 10,000
years ago.
However, rather
than eating their prey, cats tend to hunt, play, and then kill (but not always)
without eating. Instead, the prey is brought home and presented. Some cats will
vocalise their arrival through the door when they have an animal to present as
a gift. They are proud and they want you to see and for good reason. Cats are
trying to pass down their skills like they would if they had offspring, but
because they don’t have any, so they are teaching you instead, their family.
Your cat
knows you don’t have these vital hunting skills, so they are trying to share
their expertise, preventing you from starving to death by teaching you the way of
the hunt. They are doing you a favour! Therefore, it’s wise not to get mad or angry
at these unwanted gifts, remember your cat is doing what has been passed down
to them for thousands and thousands of years.
Preventing
Cats from Killing Wildlife
It is
practically impossible to stop cats from killing other animals. Even cats in
the home will find spiders, moths, and other household critters to pounce on
and chew. There are ways you can limit their impact on your local wildlife,
which are as follows:
- 1.Reduce the size of your cat’s territory. Cat fencing, catios and enclosures help to reduce the number of wildlife that are hunted and killed
in your neighbourhood. Your cat will be limited to only the wildlife that make
it into your garden directly.
- 2.Outdoor cats can wear a collar and bell. Although collars are
not 100% ideal for cats and the use of the bell has been shown to be useful in
studies. The RSPB undertook a study that showed cats wearing bells on their
collars brought home 41% fewer birds and 34% fewer mammals that those not
wearing a bell.
- 3.Keep your cats indoors an hour before sunset and an hour
after sunrise. This is particularly vital between March and July and December
and January. The RSPCA also advise on keeping cats indoors after spells of bad
weather as this is when birds are likely to come out to feed.
What’s the
strangest unwanted gift your cat ever brought into your home? Come and tell us
over on our Facebook page.
