Can I teach my adult cat to hunt birds and other stuff that cats usually eat?

Question

I used to have a cat that would eat at least one mouse or other small animal a day, but this one is lazy she just sleeps. Can I teach her to hunt?

the reason i'm wondering this is that my other cat seemed to have so much fun doing it, and she needed less of my attention. great answers everyone! thanks!

Answer 1

Cats are hunters by instinct...some are better at it then others. However, it is good that your cat is not a hunter as cats are responsible for the death of millions of migratory songbirds per year. It is becoming a huge environmental issue. If you don't want to pay attention to your cat...than please give her to an owner that will.

Answer 2

I think that if you use toys that look like mice/ birds and a laser light (make sure that the mice or birds are realistic and have catnip or they wont really take interest) get your cat really active and make sure that he/she doesn't go eat every 5 minutes, feed your cat a small meal in the morning and at night to keep their strength up and make sure that they are not in the house every night because if they are they will find a spot to sleep, make your cat a little shelter like from wood or a plastic dog house for them to take a nap in, because if they are inside too much they will become lazy and think that if they can laze around all day and sleep, that they will not get hungry and will wake up to food then go back to sleep, keep them active and playful , don't listen to people that say that is neglect, it is not, you just want your cat to let out it's wild roots, you still play with and hold and pet your cat, you don't just ignore It, you are letting it have freedom while still being in control

Answer 3

Cats know how to hunt by instinct. Your cat is probably choosing not to hunt for whatever reason. Maybe she is an indoor cat and you provide plenty of food for her so that she doesn't need to go out and kill birds and mice. I am sure if your "lazy" cat was forced to hunt she would know how. My cat is 7 years old and just killed a mouse not too long ago for the first time. It is an innate ability they have and doesn't need to be taught.

Cats can see better at night and this is when they do their best hunting. Who knows what your lazy cat is up to while you are asleep.

Answer 4

The problem with that is, cats that hunt and eat game are more susceptible to worms and other parasites. They are more apt to have digestive upsets.

Instead of teaching your cat to hunt, try buying a laser light, or use a string or something and play with her. You will find that it is more entertaining than finding mouse heads in your shoes.

If a cat has never hunted, it is difficult to teach it to. Hunger will not do it, they will scavenge first, which could mean it's death. And catching a 'rat' to train it is not a good idea, as rats carry rabies, and will, when cornered, attack. That, even if it were a store-bought rat that was medically healthy, could mean abscesses or infections.

Answer 5

I think it's pretty pathetic that you want your cat to hunt for fun just so you don't have to give it as much attention. If a cat doesn't have to, it's better if it doesn't hunt because if it's eating wild animals, it's more susceptible to disease and it also hurts the bird population. If you don't want to give an animal the proper time/attention it needs, don't even bother having one.

Answer 6

Hunting is an instinct, not a learned behavior. I don't understand why you'd want your cat to hunt, really. She can choke or tear her intestines on small bones, and mice can carry rabies. Stick with commercial food.

Answer 7

If she wasn't raised around cats that hunted for food it's doubtful that you will be able to switch her over. And why would you want to anyway? Would you want to have to start going and hunting your own food tomorrow? Or growing your own fruits and vegetables?

Answer 8

Some cats are justbetter hunters than others use toys such as fake mice to try and get it interested

Answer 9

I don't think you can teach a cat to do anything. They either want to do something, or they don't. They give you no say in it at all.

Answer 10

I think it really comes naturally to them. Maybe if you don't feed the cat she'll catch on. Well, don't really stop feeding her, but I think you can see my point. She would probably hunt if she had to.