Why does my cat have to bring dead animals in the house after he kills them?

Question

I have a cat door leading from my garage to my house. In the last 2 weeks I have found 3 dead mice, 1 dead bird, and 1 alive bird with a torn off wing. I am totally freaking out . . . is it normal for cats to 'show-off' their kill?? My husband thinks its cool - I don't.

Answer 1

There are at least three differing theories on this behavior:
Your cat is bringing you a present, in appreciation for you feeding it or as a sign of affection.
Your cat realizes you are a totally incompetent mouser and is trying to educate you.
The cat is bringing her prey home to where it is safe, where she usually eats.
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As with any hunter, returning with the spoils of the hunt is your cat's way of proudly bringing you back a present. Accept the gift gratefully - as least she doesn't expect you to eat it.
Just why cats bring in their prey isn't known for sure. In the wild, big cats do it as a social gesture. Perhaps they prefer to eat it in the safety of their den where chances of theft are pretty slim.

House cats can present their owners in an effort to introduce them to the concept of hunting, says Desmond Morris in Catwatching. Normally, cats see us as a parent figure, but when they present us with their prey, they see us as their kittens. Consider it a compliment, then just throw it out when they are not looking.

Indoor cats don't have a lot of opportunity to exercise their hunting instincts. That means you'll have to tolerate the occasional catnip mouse or squeaky toy instead.
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hope this helped!

Answer 2

That is a funny, but most basic instinct. I have 2 adult cats and 2 "teenager cats". I do occassionally find dead mice laying on the kitchen floor in plain site.

I watched them hunt down and trap a few mices too. They'll growl and carry them around somewhere and set them down and "play" with them some more. Seems like when they stop moving, the lose interest and leave it where they were last playing with it.

I don't really think that they are "proud" and showing off their kill as dogs and cats don't have these human emotions. In the wild cat families kill their prey and bring it to their den.

Instincts are a funny thing. Event he bigger cat families in the wild will bury their urine with dirt (same kitty litter instinct). This is to prevent other predators from finding them so easily.

Answer 3

Your cat may be bringing you gifts of food and tokens of affection... particularly if the offering is left, say on your pillow or in a shoe. They are helping feed their 'family' if you look at if from the cat's point of view.

Just be gracious, thank them for it (pet or otherwise show gratitude), take the 'food' outside and give it back to the cat. They will usually quit doing it once you have recognized the 'gift' and their accomplishment.

If you get all freaked about it, the cat may quit hunting completely and since you can see that you do have mice... that would be a shame! :)

Answer 4

I've actually talked to my cat's vet about this because my cat would bring in crickets and stuff all the time.

Cats view us as really big cats that walk funny.

The dead animals (or bugs, in my case) are presents for you for taking care of them.

Pet your kitty after he brings you the dead thing, it's a gift to you, then dispose of it.

The hunting is a natural instinct, so you can't really prevent it any way other than just keeping him indoors all the time.

Answer 5

Some cats like to show their owners (their dominate owners) their catches or prizes. They do this for your praise and approval of doing something good. Cats are no different than people, we like to hear praise when we accomplished something good, so is the same for cats.

Be grateful your cat is a good mouser and a fine hunter. By eliminating the rodents, can eliminate the problems you may have with the rodents later.

Answer 6

the cat is storing its food or trophy's in the house for safe keeping
remove the cat door before your pet brings a dead pig into the house

Answer 7

I've always heard it was a cat's way of showing off. It shows it's kill and expects reward for it from you. Praise your cat and throw the dead critters away.

Answer 8

I think so my friends cat does that except their cat bring dead mice into their bed when they are sleeping...... The cat is probably proud that he caught something and wants so show you or hes caught it as a present for his loving oners.... My cats don't go outside and we dont got mice so we don't have that problem.....

Answer 9

As unusual as this may sound to you, your precious cat is sharing food with you. It is his/her way of tell you how much he/she loves you. This little hunter is bringing you food - the basis of life - and in doing so, is including you in its little life. Try not to judge your little cat too harshly. It is instinct that is causing this. You have probably shown love and care to this little animal, and this is that little animal's way of simply thanking you. When my little Scooter does this, I pick it up off the floor where she has dragged it in front of me, there she sits, making eye contact with me, waiting for my response. I look at her with only love in my eyes for her and say to her "Why, thank you, Scooter. It was very kind of you to share this with me. You are a very courageous hunter. I love you, Scooter!" Do you know what she hears? Well, she doesn't hear English. What she hears is my tone of voice to her. What she hears is the love in my voice, which is very real, because I love her very dearly. When she came to us as a stray back a few years ago, her fur was matted solidly into "wings" on either side of her body. Her eye was leaking fluid and she was a mess. Her fur was all lumpy-bumpies, and I hardly knew where to being helping her. Now she has been with us for over four years. Gone are the lumpy-bumpies (the vet trimmed them all away). She now lets me brush her fur. She purrs while I do it instead of trying to give me a whack. She has become an elegant, lovely little female who spreads herself out long on our front hall rug, and she looks like the Sphinx from Egypt when she does it. I can well imagine how upset you are when your little cat brings you her gifts, but try to keep everything in balance and praise her and stroke her little head and thank her and then dispose of it. Everyone is different about all of this stuff, and now you know how I feel about it. Good luck to you, finding the "Golden Mean" in how you respond to this yourself. Sent to you with love from Chris in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A. (I am 63 years old.)

Answer 10

It's neither gross, nor cool; your house (in your cat's eyes!) is the cat's house, and he's just bringing home groceries.

Also, he does want to share his kill with you, his family.

Your best move is to praise him; this is natural behavior for cats.