is it true my cat brings me dead animals because he loves me?

Question

is it also true that if i tell him off for doing so he will bring bigger animals because he thinks he's failed?

and the birds and mice that one brings in the other rips to pieces once they're dead - does this mean she doesnt like me and thinks i don't deserve a gift?

Answer 1

Yes. If you slap him around, he'll bring in the postman tomorrow!

Answer 2

Yes, your cat brings you dead animals because he loves you: you feed him, so he reciprocating-- he's providing "food" for you. Never tell your cat off, but instead thank him, give him a cuddle and take the dead corpse quietly away and bin it when your cat isn't looking. Otherwise, you will 'hurt his feelings'.

The other cat you have takes your 'gifts' and rips them up because it is play hunting as cats will do with the toys you buy for them. It has nothing to do with the other cat not liking you or thinking that you don't deserve a gift.

Below is a link to a site that explains cat communication that you might find useful.

Answer 3

No. It's instinctual. The behavior of displaying a kill was desirable
back when cats were kept specifically to rid homes of pests.
It lets the owner know that the cat is successful as an exterminator.

A cat owner doesn't know how effective the cat is at this unless it brings the kill in to demonstrate what it's accomplished. One knows a dog is doing his sentry job when he barks, but the cat needs to produce *evidence.*

Cats do this because the cats that did were prefered over cats that didn't, way back when. They are the ones that remained pets, and their behavior was passed on to future generations.

As for the shredder cat of yours, he's getting in on the action. He didn't bring home the kill, but he's making himself look useful too
in that exterminator capacity.

He doesn't think of it that way, but to an owner who saw "shredder" going to work there is a greater chance that he would be valued as an exterminator also. Both "great hunter" and "shredder" would be retained, and the cat that couldn't care less about the kill wouldn't.

Your cat who is actually bringing in the goods is your "best" cat,
in the sense of what cats were originally kept for as pets. He has more of that once highly prized behavior.

He won't bring bigger kills if you tell him off. He'll bring in the biggest thing he can catch and kill, and won't connect your scolding to his behavior.

What you can do is get rid of the dead animal soon as possible. Don't let it linger where shredder can get to it.

Answer 4

Yes it means your cat loves you and cares about you enough to share its food as you do... Its just cats can't go wit kitemart so has to cath its own food. Its not a vege thats what it understand...

it wants to look after you like you are its kittens or sick mummy.

if you tell it off it will only confuse and truamtise the cat as the cat cannot understand why you are mad...

It would like your hubby punching you each time youtried to cuddle him or show you affection


Plus if its a big kill it feels really proud and wants you to pat it on the back for being such a fantastic hunting kitty like if you won a grand prix or the world cup. its sayone check it out look at the whopper I caught. Kitty needs to eat too hence torn up... Just like you dont share all your dinner.


Plus maybe it wants to trian you how to hunt like lions bring alive prey for the cubs to learn on

Answer 5

You'll realize that you have won the love of your cat when he or she starts bringing you gifts. Domestic cats are natural hunters, and like the "big cats" they bring their prey to their "den". Unlike the big cats, however, a well-fed family cat will seldom eat his kill. Another reason for gifting you with "kill" is that cats consider you "family" and want to share with you. you've probably already learned to contain your revulsion long enough to thank Kitty profusely, and then get rid of the offering when she isn't watching





A well cared for domestic cat does not hunt through hunger. Just because she does not have the need to hunt doesn't mean that she doesn't have the instinct. Cats are predators. When cats first moved in with humans thousands of years ago it was because of their proficient hunting skills. The cats learnt that where there were humans there were also rodents. The humans learnt just how accomplished cats are at catching and killing, thereby keeping the rodent population down. It was to be many years later that felines became thought of as pets and were kept primarily for their companionship.

"So OK, cats are natural born hunters, but why do they have to bring their catch home?"

There is more than one theory on this, but the most likely explanation is that your cat views you as an incompetent kitten who needs schooling in the ways of hunting. Spayed females are the most likely to bring home their catch. Kitty may be deprived of the ability to reproduce, but she does retain maternal instincts it seems.

"So she thinks I need to learn to go out and hunt food. But why does she bring back half-dead mice and other creatures?"

Usually the first catch a mother cat brings to her kittens will be dead. She will eat the prey in front of the kittens - this is food, and this is how you eat it. Then mom moves on to bringing home prey that she has injured and mangled. She will finish off her catch in front of her kittens - this is prey, and this is how you kill it. Finally she will start to bring home captured but unharmed creatures. Mom will let the prey go in front of her young ones and demonstrate to them how she stalks, pounces and catches - this is prey, and this is what you have to do before you can kill it and eat it.

"Well OK, my cat thinks that it is not enough that I know how to use a can opener, she thinks I should know how to hunt. It's nice of her to look after my interest but dead, half eaten or mutilated little animals disgust me. And I don't like her killing wildlife especially birds. How can I stop her?"

You can't take away her hunting instinct. Punishing her in any way would be futile. Even showing your distaste at her activities will probably confuse her, she has done you a service and you are unhappy about it!

Cats will hunt. Some more successfully than others but they will do it. The only way you can prevent them from hunting wildlife is to keep them indoors. If you prefer your cat to enjoy the outdoors fitting her out with a bell (attached to a breakaway collar for your cat's safety,) will go a long way in preventing her destroying wild birds

Answer 6

I think so, too. The ones he rips to pieces I would guess are the ones he was hungry enough or curious enough to eat some of...

I know it's nasty, but think of it that way - he brings it to you house, not your bed. There was a short but frantic period in my flat when there were cockroaches (two days - one before I got some cat-secured poison, and one before it started to be effective) when any cockroach he caught during the night, he took to me, asleep in bed, to brag. I mean, how much worse a wake-up call can one get than a cockroach wiggling on one's skin...

So, count your blessings! :)

Answer 7

My cat does the same things. It is their way of showing you they are grateful for you taking care of them. My cat brings us stuff all the time...it's gross, but we always thank her for it- then promptly put it in the garbage. As far as the other cat tearing the stuff up...she is probably jealous of the other animal & most likely thinks she is the favorite because she brings you gifts...

Answer 8

cats will always hunt but if they bring their prey to you, it is the same as bringing it to their young, a gift yes, even though we all wish they wouldn't. If you ignore him, I doubt if he will bring anything bigger. If you tell him off, he simply wont understand why you are angry at him doing something that is in his nature.

Answer 9

Some experts say they bring you their preys to teach you how to hunt, like female cats often do with their kitten.(that one make perfect scence to me). Besides you just said that the other one rips it open... See the parallel?

Some say its affection or thank-you gifts.
As a joke I would say its their way to say they dont like our "cooking" (Why dont you cook me this mouse for dinner instead of that socalled cat food.....)

But seriously, It shows they have bonded to us in many ways.

Have you tried a collar with a little bell, if you dont want Kitty to bring sweet little birdies...
It works with my tabby, but my siamese found a way to make the bell silent! (no kidding).

I think its a myth that wthey will only bring bigger preys if you dissaproove of their gift.

Cats are natural hunters, they seem cruel but you have to understand they are animals they dont realise they hurt their prey, their huning instinct takes over.

P.S.: Of course your cats like you. Mabe they both are trying to teach you how to hunt!

God bless you!

Answer 10

Yes, he's bringing you presents. Don't tell him off.....just take dead mouse or whatever and throw in garbage. I think if they are ripped to pieces. they must have put up a good fight!!

Answer 11

He possibly views you as the senior cat in the house! The gift could actually be a tribute.