Our cat keeps bringing live birds inside our home. Why does she do this and how can we stop her?

Question

She is an indoor cat, who goes outside throughout the day. She has brought in about 7 live birds into our home within the past 4 months. Please help us figure out how to make her stop. Why do cats do this anyhow? I feel bad because some of them are tiny, and sometimes they get a little hurt.

Answer 1

Hey it really is too bad that your cat is catching birds. I just hope she is up on her shots because she can catch a lot of diseases from birds. My cat used to do that but he was mostly and outdoor cat. He would only come in when he wanted to sleep or show me something. So I'd go outside and there on the lawn would be his prized catch. They do this because they know that you love them and to show that they love you they want you to know what they've done. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your cat. Just her way of saying hey look what I did, aren't you proud?

Answer 2

She is bringing you a gift. But let's look at the realistic side of the problem. Bird lovers are always blaming cats if there seems to be less birds. Their solution is, of course, to trap and kill the cats. So do the right thing, Keep your cat indoors. I know some people believe this is cruel, but, believe me, it is the only way to keep your cat safe. She will not get into fights, pick up diseases, fleas, get frightened and run and get lost, be picked up by some sick person and tortured or killed (especially around Halloween), or taken by some really caring person who thinks she is lost or neglected. And please don't tell me that she doesn't go far, or just stays in her own yard. I've heard that many times from people who cannot find their cat, and sometimes never do. I have worked with animals for many years, especially cats, and I really know what I am talking about. I know one lady whose black cat disappeared just before Halloween. She never found him and when she read why cats are stolen around this time she had to get help to get through it. I have heard this so many times, and I hate it. I wish that animals and children and everyone could roam freely, but that is not how it is. So take care of your kitty. She obviously loves you.

Answer 3

We had a cat that used to do this. He even brought in the "prized" red cardinal my mom used to love to watch every morning while she had her breakfast! I think they do it to make you proud of them, like the person before me mentioned, a "present". Its gross though & you feel so bad for whatever it is that they bring in.

How does she get back in the house? Do you have a pet door that she comes & goes? That is how ours got "presents" in. The only thing I could suggest is to close off the pet door & only let her in when she doesn't have any critters in her mouth. I think it just in a cat's nature to hunt, so there is no way you are going to get her to stop that. But just try to put a stop to her getting in the house with whatever it is (birds) she gets. She may just start leaving them on the front stoop, which is still pretty gross, but not as bad as them being in the house.

Answer 4

We had a cat that did that. She played with them mostly. It's the thrill off the catch. Cats are a natural predator for birds. It's natural for them to try to catch/eat/play with birds/mice/etc.

As for stopping her, make her an outside cat? keep her indoors permanently? Sorry if this isn't what you had in mind.

Answer 5

At least yours don't kill them and behead them before bringing them.

Try paying some more attention to it. My two bring me everything you can imagine-without heads and always dead. My vet said they are tokens of love (all i could think was thanks anyway). Make sure you're feeding her enough and give her some cat treats and some toys. The ones attached to springs or strings are good. She may just have an overwhelming urge to catch the native wildlife-that's what they did before they were domesticated and it's more instinctual in some cats.

And, get the number of a local bird sanctuary-it'll help when she brings you back injured ones.

Answer 6

Well i used to have 2 cats who are brothers. They would always go outside to kill birds. I dont know why either. BUt you should try and but your cat a toy to play with. Cause sometime they get board and have nothing to do and they would go find something to do outside. Even if they dont eat the bird they wil play with it until the bird dies. So you should get your cat something that it will not get board of. Try to spoil him a little bit.

Answer 7

Your cat is bringing birds in the house because it thinks that it is giving you a present by bringing the bird to you. But, I'm really not sure how to stop it.

Answer 8

Well, does she try to kill them after she brings them in?
Maybe she is "sharing" her prey with you.
My friend had a cat which brought home a bird. They gave the cat a treat in trade for the bird and after that the cat did it constantly just to see what treat it would get.
I had a cat that would prowl the neighborhood and bring home paper that it found in trash cans. It was just so proud of itself. LOL
I wish I knew what they are thinking but I am stumped.

Answer 9

they think they are giving ya a gift so to speak i dont know if you can really stop them other than choosing to leave them either in Or out all the time my suggestion would be in but this may be hard if kitty is used to being in/out cat But my cat is indoor only and i have to tell ya theres alot less prombs like bugs diseases potentially geting run over which btw happened to my sons cat when he was very young & broke his heart hence indoor cats now Or if you choose to have kitty out then you will just have to go out to visit with Good Luck

Answer 10

does she have kittens? are there other cats in your house? are they younger? if so, she could be trying to teach other cats how to hunt, kill, and eat prey. that's how a queen (momma cat) teaches her kittens. she has to kill it in front of them and eat it to show them how it's done.

if she is your only cat, it could be she is just bringing them to you as a "present" or she's just bringing her "toys" home with her to play with later.

as for how to get her to stop, try teaching her the way you would a dog. catch her before she gets into the house with her "toy" and don't let her bring it in. reward her when she drops it and leaves it outside. praise a lot. give treats when she's good. soon, she'll learn that she gets rewarded when she leaves them outside. it might take a little while, but it should work if you're consistent and don't let her get away with bringing anything inside.