One of my cats was on the street homeless for a while (I got her from the RSPCA Cat shelter) and she occasionally brings home mice, which she plays with and then dissects in the garden! While I appreciate this gift, does anyone one know how I can reduce or discourage her from doing this? Shes quite young (nearly 2 now) and was found on the streets about a year ago having already had kittens.
2006-07-05 01:03:18 · 23 answers · asked by DancinBubble 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
sadly all you can do is praise your cat for being a mighty hunter.
while gross and not what you want to step on first thing in the morning... barefoot... these are gifts
to say bad cat or no... is basically like telling your child that you hate the breakfast they worked so hard to make for you for mothers day
just except the "gifts" and try seeing if you can get the cat to keep them contained to just one area of the garden...
good luck
2006-07-05 01:14:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Her life has been rough enough. PLEASE keep her indoors. All cats should be kept indoors, search for the many reasons through rescue and shelter sites.
PLAY with her to compensate for the loss of her favorite passtime (hunting.) You can even make her some toys. Some buttons on the end of a string will work. The buttons become her prey. You can also use a ball of foil. A laser pen will keep her busy for a long time.
She won't like being inside at first, but she WILL get used to it. The outdoors are not safe AT ALL for a domestic cat. As one example, outdoors cats will be the the first to contract the bird flu.
2006-07-05 02:47:33 · answer #2 · answered by Sherry D 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't let her outside.. that's the only way to stop her from doing it... it's a natural thing for cats to kill mice and birds and baby rabbits and chipmunks.... they'll even catch and kill bats given the chance.
We don't let our cats out, mostly because some years ago, we lost two to cars in less than a week. But, they tend to be healthier when they're indoor cats as long as you feed them properly and don't over-feed them.
One thing though.. if you let her remain as an outdoor cat.. make sure you have her rabbies and other shots and have her checked for worms.. if she's eating mice, she'll get worms and that can do her a lot of damage... check with your vet.
2006-07-05 01:09:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cats do what they do. I dont' think it's a problem if she keeps it outside, other than the fact that it grosses you out.
MY cat used to bring home various rabbit parts and leave them on the step in the carport for me. Sometimes the head, sometimes the body without the head, once just a tail. Count yourself lucky it's mice! LOL!
2006-07-05 01:08:06 · answer #4 · answered by nightevisions 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you continue to let her be an outside cat she'll continue to bring you her little gifts. All outdoor cats hunt, it's instinct, whether you feed them or not bring her inside and she won't have the means to catch mice unless she finds the little critters inside too.
2006-07-05 01:08:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than keeping the cat indoors there's not alot you can do. It's the cats natural instinct to hunt and even a well fed cat will continue to do so.
2006-07-05 01:08:28 · answer #6 · answered by I'manalienfrog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are natural predators. It's instinct for them to kill mice. The only thing I could suggest is to keep her in the house more often. My cats have never been outside so I have never had the rodent problem.
2006-07-05 01:11:45 · answer #7 · answered by Debs 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its in the animal to take home a mouse or to sounds to me if she is bringing mice home she wants you to see her trophy. like hey mom look what i brought home. sometimes they do this .i have 3 cats and sometimes mice will get into the kitchen .. my cats will stand at the hole in the kitchen floor and watch for a mouse. if i catch the cat with the mouse i take it out of their mouth ... also make sure your cat has enough to eat. but to me its a natural thing.. bren
2006-07-05 01:15:35 · answer #8 · answered by psychicfiles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but nope. Two words: Cat Instincts! Before cats were ever used for pets, they had to hunt for themselves. My cat would do this all of the time. Your cat is just showing affection for you. He or she just loves you!
2006-07-05 06:10:31 · answer #9 · answered by serbcat1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats are hunters by nature. It sounds like yours had to become a good hunter in order to survive. Unless you keep her inside, she will probably continue her hunting activities. BTW, house cats have a much longer, healthier life than outdoor cates. Congrats are your new fur friend!
2006-07-05 01:08:20 · answer #10 · answered by Taffy Saltwater 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋