My cats are bringing home alot of prey...?

Question

It seems like several times a week I find a dead animal on the floor at the bottom of my bed. There is nothing worse than crawling out of bed and steping on a dead bird. I dont want to make them indoor cats. I know they think they are doing a good thing by bringing me presents but its starting to get really annoying. My question... Does anyone have any tips to break this habit? Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Buy them collars with bells on them- it's harder for a cat to catch prey if the prey hears them coming! (kills the whole sneak up and attack thing that cats have going for them) Make sure the collar is a proper collar for cats, and will release if needed so the cat won't hang itself by the collar.
Also I appreciate the leave lots of food comment, and it's a good one, however this won't curb a cats hunting instinct as many believe, the cat is not hunting for itself, it's hunting for you, and therefor having a full belly will not prevent it from bringing you home "presents" It is in fact a show of affection towards you when they bring you these gifts. Praise them, and apear greatful, if you are otherwise they will consider thier gift too small and hunt even harder to bring you more presents!

Teej.

Answer 2

Giving you birds is a way of showing their "respect" for you as the top of the social hierarchy in the house. I don't blame you for being disgusted by this, though. I think taking out the cat door and putting bells on the cats are both good ideas.

Answer 3

The birds and rodents will either die, or learn to avoid your cat. We no longer have bird nests close to our yard; squirrels do not enter our yard except very early in the morning (before I let the dog and 2 older cats out). The only rodents we have left that are dumb enough to get caught are young moles. When my youngest cat (1 1/2 years old) calms down enough, I'll keep him inside at night, too. Although there are some nights that the weather is just too nice and all 3 cats stay out, they usually leave their 'gifts' at the back door so the dog doesn't get them instead of me.

Answer 4

Cats are natural born hunters and you cannot stop them or punish them from hunting. However, don't know if you are aware of this...but cats are responsible for the death of millions of migratory songbirds per year just in the US alone. Populations are declining at a rapid rate...and much of this is due to domesticated cats. Audobon has started a "cats indoors" campagin and suggest cats are kept as indoor pets or only let out under the owners supervision. It is not only safer for the wildlife but also for the cat itself. Indoor pets live much longer, healthier lives and they will not be hit by cars, poisoned by a person, plant, antifreeze, rat poison, snail bait, getting attacked by a dog or wild animal, getting in cat fights resulting in absecess and infections, picking up diseases such as leukemia, distemper, corona virus, rabies, or picking up parasites such as ticks, fleas, and ear mites. Please consider keeping your cats indoors.
http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/keep_your_cat_safe_at_home_hsuss_safe_cats_campaign/index.html

Answer 5

that is your cats way of "feeding" you. I have cats and they do this all the time..not you cannot break them of this"Habit" cats are hunters and it's in their nature to hunt.
You can however.. keep a close eye on them and stop them from bringing in the "food".

Answer 6

Yes. . . keep her inside, and feed her canned cat food twice a day; once in the morning, once at night. Keep a bowl of dry cat food out for her to eat whenever she's hungry. And, fresh water everyday.

Answer 7

take out your cat door so they have to leave them at the door instead of in the house. either that or tell whoever is letting them in with their treats to stop.

Answer 8

It's a cat's nature. Just say good cat and dispose of it ASAP... best of luck.....