Why does my cat want to bring rats he catches into my apartment?

Question

Why doesn't he want to eat them outside?

Answer 1

Cats do that ......they are showing you that they have brought you a "present" just for your taking good care of them! I have a tomcat that used to put on dead animal on each stepping stone and I'd have to watch where I was walking in the dark when leaving or work in the morning or would slip on them....ICK! It's their way of showing that they love you!

Answer 2

He's not bringing them home for himself,
he's accepted you as the cat parent.
He's hunting for you,
because he doesn't think you
know how to hunt.
These are gifts, you should be honored.
Just do what I do.
Pick up kitty,
love him and
thank him for the nice rat or whatever.
Then get a plastic bag,
pick up the rat,
try not to gag.
Then turn around where kitty can't see you,
make yummy noises and slurping sounds.
Then dispose of said rat
into the garbage can out side.
Every now and then buy
a can of real tuna & share this with your cat.
It may take a bit,
but he'll soon realize that you can hunt.
But every now and then
you'll get one of these little gifts.
Now sometimes,
they'll bring in a gift,
just to show you how they killed it.
Do not be alarmed.
It is just Show & Tell.

Answer 3

Edit: I just saw Texas Wit's answer! How true and how funny!

Oh what an honor! He's bringing you a valued gift as well as showing you what a great provider and hunter he is.

He must love you very much.

If they're alive, that's a problem, though. One way to deal with the live gift is to pick up kitty (He'll snap his jaws around the critter when you do if you give him the chance, and you want to as opposed to letting it loose in your apartment), pick him up with his rear against your chest to stay safe. Pet him, say nice things, thank you, etc. and gently put him outside for the coup de grace.

He won't be insulted and you won't have the rat in the house. In my experience, the cat stops bringing his gifts in eventually.

Here's a tip: Put a bell on his collar if you don't want anymore critters in the house (except lizards, bells don't seem to warn lizards... or stink bugs... or crickets...) I'm not sure which is worse, knowing I might have mice and rats running around or waking up to a room full of millions of feathers.

Feel honored, in any case.

Answer 4

Totally agree with the majority re the gift-giving. Cant say I've had rats (thank goodness!), but the occasional mouse or bird. Once a fully grown frog, and numerous giant rubber-bands lol. The most recent gift was from my soon-to-be 2 year old who literally *stole* a toy from next door. Attracted by that well known 'crazy-frog' song coming from a green and white plastic electronic gadget, he must have been sprung when the kiddies next door went outside, so he grabbed it and jumped the 6 foot fence with this thing hanging out of his mouth, running inside and depositing it on the lounge floor.

Answer 5

Cats will often take dead animals that they have caught - mice, rats, birds, etc., and bring them into your house. They will leave them in random places - on your bed, near the door, near their food, wherever. Your cat is not trying to send you a Godfather-type message. Cats just don't understand why you wouldn't be pleased with something as interesting and useful as a dead mouse. To them, they are bringing you food. The basic theory is that they are giving you a "present" - you give them food, water, and affection, and they are returning the favor with something they caught. Cats often do this in the wild for others in their family groups.

The easiest thing to do is just to throw it away and move on. It's kind of gross, but your cat is not trying to do anything wrong and it is trying to show affection. It is best just to pet the cat and let it be - it wants affection, and punishment for a friendly gesture will only confuse it.

Answer 6

Because he wants to punish you for being an irresponsible owner. How about keeping the cat inside - where it will be safe? And contacting a pest control company about your rat infestation. What happens if someone puts poison out for the rats and then your cat catches the rat? That cat will DIE.

Answer 7

It's a sign of love. I don't understand cats, nor do I ever plan on becoming an expert, but over a year and a half of working at a pet store (Pet World for all of you SE Wisconsinites) has taught me that outdoor cats like bringing you treats every once in a while.

Answer 8

It's an honor when your cat brings you a rat or anything he catches. It means he loves you so much that he wants to give it to you first, above himself. He's "providing for the family" so to speak. It's done out of his love for you, so please don't punish him for it because he won't understand. Just dispose of it and be glad it means there's one less rat in the world.

Answer 9

Those are his gifts to you. Seriously. I had a cat that brought me a mouse or a bird every morning. She would come in and drop it at my feet while I was doing dishes and fully expect praise for it. It's part of their hunting instinct. I think they feel they are contributing to taking care of the family by hunting and bringing the prey to their "alpha male/female". Give him praise for it (say thank you and give him a rub on the head) and then get rid of it. It's really all you can do other than locking him in (or out of) the house.

Answer 10

Love and affection!! OOOOH look what I did and I want to share it with you!

Now if you were my mother's dog, and the cat was leaving the head of a mouse in your food dish every day, then you would have a problem!