how do i stop my cats bringing home mice/voles/moles?

Question

they are catching maybe 5 each a day!! nightmare. Its like the killing fields in my garden!

Answer 1

It actually sounds like you have a mice/vole/mole problem not a cat problem. Since they are bringing you gifts they do not understand your abject horror. My own cats, when I lived in the desert used to bring me whole chickens they had killed.

If you happen to be good at communication with your animals (hint: animals think in pictures) then perhaps you can give them the idea that all offerings need to be put in a specific place that is easier to dispose of the remains from rather than bringing them onto your kitchen floor. The more you scold them the more likely they will be to continue to try to bring you the right treasure to show how much they love you and want to impress you with their killing skills. Of the cats that remain from my days in the desert, there are no more killings brought to me as offerings.. well.. maybe an occassional lizard.. but it is very rare now. (or you can hire dr doolittle)

Answer 2

Humm...whats intersting here is that this usually does not happen that often if a cat is fed really well. On most ocassions they may bring them as gifts but not that often. Are they always outside? Maybe a more frequent feeding schedule and or a heavier meal in the morn. Also leave lots of other toys and things for them to play with outside.
And yes, sounds like you may want to find out why you have SO many mice around!

Answer 3

The cat will no longer be doing some thing 'incorrect', that is their organic intuition to deliver 'presents' along with those abode. that is their way of preserving thanks or exhibiting that they can kill birds/mice or the like. they're only searching for praise, demanding even though it must be then attempt to coach praise, they'll then comprehend they can hunt acceptable and, optimistically, stop it. If each of the cat receives is a row, then it ought to imagine it hadsn't done some thing accurate and proceed bringing lifeless creatures abode interior the desire it does get it accurate. notwithstanding, possibly it will be the further proper determination to get the cat a collar with a bell on it. that could scare any ability prey to the cat's presence, subsequently making certain the cat wasn't valuable in it is searching forays.

Answer 4

You can't stop cats from being cats... they are showing you love and affection by bringing you their gifts. Ordinarily they would keep them for themselves, but when they share, so cool. I am sorry it is disgusting though, and it makes the kids think the family kitty is ghoulish.
The only things that help are the spay and neuter. It tames the hunt instinct a little, feed them more right before they go out, even if it means removing the food bowl, and keeping them inside as much as possible.
The bell idea is genius.

Answer 5

Cats have an inbuilt need to hunt. You can help satisfy that need by playing hunting games with them before you let them outside, they need toys that are small, round, furry and bounce.
And put an elasticated collar and bell on each of them. This is the main reason I won't keep a cat; they kill a quarter of a million songbirds every year. They decimate our wildlife. And in this weather when wildlife is under stress, animals have to forage for longer to find what they need to feed their young, so are at more risk from being caught.

Answer 6

They love you, and are bringing you presents of food. Have them as indoors cats- thats the only way you will stop them- they dont do it because they dont like mice etc., but as an act of love as they would bring food for their kittens. You are very honoured, believe it or not!! Its a perfectly natural act to a cat, and is in their nature. The only way is to have them as indoor cats- they will be far less prone to disease and infection indoors, and will live much longer.

Answer 7

Unfortunately your cat is just showing how much it likes you! These 'presents' are typical behaviour and is hard to stop. You could train your cat to put them in a certain place like a tray in the garden by leaving each 'present' in the tray until the cat takes the hint (like training it to pee in the litter box).

Answer 8

I wouldn't worry about it because You have MICE ...... If they are outside they are also inside....I would buy more cats.....they need the help... five a day is a lot of mice and that just what they can catch of those little pesky critters...

Answer 9

Lock the cat flap, that's got to be the only answer. My cat does it too and has started bringing live mice in, carrying them up into our bedroom and then chasing them around in the middle of the night.....if he ever jumped on the bed with one in his mouth ..........aaarghhhhh

Answer 10

You can't unless you keep the cat indoors. Cats bring home animals for you as a present. They are trying to contribute to the household and, unfortunately for you, you should praise the cat when it does this.