OK...last week there was a dead mouse by the front door (inside) and just now I found one on the floor by the side of my bed. Is my cat doing this? Or are there mice in my house who are dropping dead on the floors of my house? And if it's my cat...then why??? and how do I get her to stop??? Is she finding them in my house?? Yuck...help!!!
2007-09-25 09:11:24 · 27 answers · asked by Jenna 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
a gift, cats love you, they bring you a mouse as a present
2007-09-25 09:15:15 · answer #1 · answered by The Britt 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Hi Jenna :)
My family have owned many cats over many years and without exception, ALL have brought "presents" home at some time.
Cats like dogs are pack animals...and there is always a leader of the pack.
In domesticated animals, YOU as the owner takes on the role as pack leader.
You show your animal what to eat, what to drink, play with it, teach it not to scratch or bite (boundaries of acceptable behaviour), train it not to defecate in the house etc etc
Its very difficult however to eliminate the hunting instinct.
And what your cat is doing is hunting before bringing home the kill to proudly display before the leader of the pack!
Displaying a negative reaction to the cat at sight of kills may stop it bringing trophies home...but it wont stop the hunting.
I can only suggest that socialisation with dogs, birds, and other species of animal from a very early age (kitten) may lessen the desire to hunt...as the cat will see other animals as playmates as opposed to being a potential source of food.
In an adult cat however, you really dont stand a chance of stopping a cat hunting. The instinct is ingrained and behavioural modification will be EXTREMELY difficult.
My only suggestion would be to keep the cat inside at night (cats predominantly hunt at night) or otherwise restrict it's movements outside.
Another suggestion is to ensure your cat has sufficient food and a variable diet including fresh meat!
In addition to normal pet food and biscuits, sometimes introduce a meal of fresh fish, cooked chicken, or raw beef mince etc.
Like humans, cats like a varied diet as well - and I've often found that keeping up a steady stream of fresh meat in addition to a few 'normal' pet food type meals reduces the bloodlust associated with the need to hunt.
Good luck and best wishes :)
2007-09-26 18:18:26 · answer #2 · answered by Rygar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is just bringing them to you as a present (i know, nice gift) but this just shows it loves you! I dont think there is much you can do about it accept keep checking the house to make sure there arnt any more and if you see your cat with a mouse keep your cat out side until the mouse is gone
Hope this helps!
2007-09-25 16:59:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats feel proud of their prey and want to show it off to you. My cat is indoors only and she leaves her "prey" (stuffed animals) at my feet. The mice are a compliment to you...albeit a gross compliment.
You can't get her to stop hunting mice if she has access to them because it's an instinctual drive. You can't blame her for it either because cats do not have a sense of morality. You should figure out where the mice are coming from and then decide how to deal with it. If you are concerned that they are coming from inside your house, you could have an exterminator inspect the premises.
Is she an indoor/outdoor cat with a cat door? She may be bringing them inside this way. My cat growing up brought in live and dead moles, snakes (I stepped on a headless snake inside the house in the dark but I thought it was alive and freakedddd out), birds, etc. through our cat door. We finally had to seal it up.
Best of luck to you. This is certainly one of the stranger results of owning a cat, isn't it? ;)
2007-09-25 16:24:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My cats have brought me mice, rabbits, snakes, voles, etc., it is their way of bringing you a nice gift.
I know it is hard to stare at a dead rodent and say, "Oh thank you fuzzball for bringing me a present", but that is truly what they mean to give you. Dispose of rodent and don't be an ingrate -
your cat obviously loves you.
I once gave a fancy dinner party to impress our local school treasurer and some other people, was nice night, so I left the back door open. One
of my cats proudly brought in a live mouse and dropped it on my feet as we sat at the table eating - boy, was everyone impressed!
2007-09-25 16:18:35 · answer #5 · answered by rescue member 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
She has accepted you into her family. I know it's gross, but it's really an honor. She is bringing you her catch, a sign that she loves you. Set some traps out. Kitty can't reward you with dead mice if the mice are already dead when she finds them.
2007-09-25 16:20:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is your cats way of showing you how much you care. This is the "present" she is offering you. And no there not in your house, shes getting them from outside. My cat also does this. You cant really stop her from doing this
2007-09-25 16:16:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I agree it is sort of a present. But I also believe that it is her way of supporting the family. As a wild cat, she would bring prey home for the family. That is what she is doing for you.
2007-09-25 17:04:10 · answer #8 · answered by S S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it as a compliment.your kitty loves you and she is bringing you a present.acting as her female cousin the lioness hunter she is bringing you a food gift like shes feeding her young.by the way,i've had cats who would bring home dead snakes,mice,rabbits and birds.
2007-09-25 16:19:46 · answer #9 · answered by CHER 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You cat realized that you are not able to hunt for your own mice, so she is bringing you mice as presents.
2007-09-25 16:20:01 · answer #10 · answered by Amy W 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thats sign of respect. Your cat is giving you a gift!(in his perspective) My cat brang in a headless baby bird. (is body was in the garage and his head was on the laundry room floor. EWW.
2007-09-25 16:15:59 · answer #11 · answered by Jorjor 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋