How do I get my cat to stop bringing live birds into the house and mutilating them behind the recliner?

Question

My cat has been bringing in birds, sometimes decapitating them, sometimes eating all of them and sometimes just mutilating them and getting blood and guts all over my carpet. It is nasty! i cant close the doggy door because I have 2 dogs. The cat doesn't use a litter box, he goes outside. he knows he is in trouble when he does it, and runs out the doggy door when we see the bird. I know it is probably a gift? but he has done this 3 times in the last 4 days!It has gotten to the point to where I might have to find him another home. I hate to do that because he gets along so well with the dogs, and I know he is happy. Help!!!! What do I do to stop this?

Answer 1

Make it harder for your cat to catch birds by putting a bell on his collar, one that jingles easily and therefore warns the birds when he is creeping up on them. He'll probably hate it but it may cut down on his success rate. In the meantime, you may want to put a plastic mat down on the area behind your recliner to protect it. It is difficult to get cats to resist their instincts. If he used a litter box, I would suggest you contain him in a closed room for a while so he couldn't get out and catch the birdies, but if he won't use a box, that would be trading one mess for another. I had a cat that used to bring us gifts of dead mice. When we moved to a new house, we turned him into an indoor cat and we no longer had the problem, except one time when a mouse was foolish enough to try to live in our house. (The same cat never took any interest in our pet gerbils. Go figure!)

Answer 2

Best solution is to keep your cat in the house, use a litter box and get rid of the doggie door.
Cats are natural hunters and when outside, they will hunt. Have you tried a collar with a bell on it?
For the sake of your cat and dogs, I'd suggest not letting them in and out of the house randomly with the doggie door, though.

Answer 3

You could attach a bell to the cat's collar so that the birds will hear him coming. You could also put a couple of plastic owls or rubber snakes in strategic areas in your backyard to keep the birds from hanging out there. You can also make his favorite killing zone a little less desirable by putting down a plastic mat or putting some aluminum foil (just lay a couple of sheets behind the chair - he won't want to walk on them) on the floor. You could also use some kitty go away spray (available at most stores that sell cat food) in that area.

If your cat is going outside and consuming wild animals then you absolutely need to keep his shots up to date and make sure that he gets wormed regularly. Cats don't usually catch too many birds so you may want to check outside and see if you have some ailing birds. If you do have sick birds then you should contact your local animal control group - birds are carriers of a variety of diseases that no-one, pets included, in your house needs to catch.

Answer 4

Keep him inside. Simple solution, and your cat will be much safer.

I doubt it's a gift since he's eating them. Gifts are usually dropped and forgotten about.

Is the doggy door truly necessary? If so, consider investing in one of those doggy doors that requires a magnetic device on the collar to open. Both dogs could have the devices on their collars, but kitty wouldn't be able to get out.

Seriously consider it.....cats live longer, healthier lives inside.

Answer 5

Do you want an answer that can't fail? Getr rid of your cat and buy one of those cuddly fluffy things made by Mattel. Live in the real world, cats do that sort of thing, they are potentially wild animals. Or are you one of those types of people who declaw thier cats? If you don't mind it killing birds, don't let it in with a bird. Would you leave an open door to a serial killer? Keep him out the house until he has been vetted as to whether he's bringing tweety in to just play peaknuckle or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Use your loaf and get rid of the murderer, I'm sure there are plenty of homes for unwanted moggies.
suppose the other thing you could do is keep a water squirter close at hand and squirt him until he gets the message.

Answer 6

You can't do anything, cats are carnivors and have strong preditorial instincts.

However, I'd highly recommend that you take out the doggie door. They're unsafe to begin with. Train your dogs to go potty when you let them out (I'm sure it won't be very hard to do) and keep your cat inside. Cats should always be inside, for safety reasons, and you should always know where your dogs are (in or out or whatever).

Answer 7

He is doing what adult cats do for their kittens; bringing you prey so that you can learn to kill. Try not to react; just remove the bird as quickly as you can. He is looking for reaction. I know it's not pleasant. Punishing him won't do any good. He may give up after a while. You could try providing him with toys to chase - that might help.

Answer 8

When the pets bring you dead animals it is a present. When your cat brings you a half dead animal or one that is quite lively, its an even greater sign of respect. They believe you are capable of handling the situation. As much as it bothers you that they are bringing you presents you have to understand that it's a sign of respect. As for them bringing them inside, block the doggy door, that way you can limit what they bring inside.

Answer 9

don't let your cat outside in the first place, that will solve your problem and keep your kitty safe from all the horrible dangers there are for them out there (indoor cats live 5-8 years longer than outdoor cats on average)

Answer 10

Simple. Keep him inside! Cats shouldn't be outside to begin with! They can get hit by a car, get attacked by a wild animal or someone could poison him with antifreeze or shoot him. Do you know how many people hate cats? I have 2 myself and they are strictly indoor cats and they are purrfectly happy!