why do pet cats go out hunting and fetch back little mice and leave them on your doorstep? dead, but not eaten.
2007-08-26 10:51:32 · 17 answers · asked by EM J 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
well i guess the consensus is its a gift! i love my little ginger irish cat called seamus! he licks my face and hands like a dog. thanx.
2007-08-26 11:00:53 · update #1
They want to show you that they caught something. And, since they don't have to hunt for their meals, they can do it for fun, and don't have to worry about eating it.
2007-08-26 10:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by yourguardiandevils 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are bringing you home din din. They like to help out. Dogs will do this as well.
So far my Scrappy has not done this, but I used to have a Husky that would always bring me home birds.
My mistake was always having chicken on those nights so he didn't think we didn't like it (he got a sample too). We ate a lot of chicken and my ex was getting very good at hiding the bird and deposing of it with out the dog seeing...Ok, all of my animals are spoiled rotten :)
Just say thank you and that they did a good job...give them a treat and hide that mouse fast. :)
Pretty much cats are pack animals and your the head of the pack so they will bring you gifts to show their acknowledgment of who you are.
Don't you feel luck now? :)
2007-08-26 18:09:41 · answer #2 · answered by Amy A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because cats are predatory creatures, they enjoy a hunt. What they enjoy more, however, is their "catch." If your cat is bringing you dead things it has caught, it's a gift. Believe it or not, in their minds, they are presenting to you a token of affection and love. That's why they aren't eating it, it's "food" for you.
So enjoy your gift, it's from the heart.... :)
2007-08-26 17:57:15 · answer #3 · answered by LaurelAquatic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same reason why kids will buy you a toy for your birthday. They want to give you a gift that they would like. Your cat is just showing you how much he/she loves you by giving you such a wonderful "gift".....be happy, its a compliment =)
2007-08-26 17:57:03 · answer #4 · answered by ~*Bella*~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do this to say thank you and to let you know that they appreciate you. It's a gift to you. A nasty one but they think it's great! My cat stays indoors and brings me things from around the house and leaves them in my bedroom and she meows really loud to wake me up and let me know that she has brought me something.
2007-08-26 17:57:05 · answer #5 · answered by Mary Posa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat used to do this all the time. Mice, rabbits, birds, and squirrels. They are really actually presents. It is basically them saying "Hey! Look what I got you!
Make sure you pet her, or she will feel sad that you don't like it.
2007-08-26 18:38:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're giving you a gift... kinda like how religious people bring offerings to their gods. They're just... appriciating you, if thats the best word to describe it.
If your cat brings it to you, never punish it, you have to praise it...and then throw it away after!
2007-08-26 17:57:19 · answer #7 · answered by claireybearyfairy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol, be thankful it's only little black mice.
my friends cat would leave them bunnies, birds (with the insides EVERYWHERE on the porch), mice and everything else she could get her claws in.
great hunter.. but it was pretty nasty growing up walking over there every day and seeing what was on the days menu. lol
2007-08-26 19:33:52 · answer #8 · answered by OneChance,OneLife! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are trying to feed you. They are grateful for your care and are returning the favor.
Wait until she brings the still alive mouse she caught in the house in the middle of the night and drops it on your face !!!!! Real shock !!!!!
2007-08-26 17:57:17 · answer #9 · answered by Dionannan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they do it as a kind of offering- like giving us presents. My cat brings dead and live mice and lizards- gross but kind of funny/cute.
2007-08-26 17:56:26 · answer #10 · answered by valbee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋