Stop my cat from hunting birds?

Question

My cat is a 2 year old male and he has been neutered. But he really likes hunting. We got him a collar with a bell on it and the hunting stopped for a while. Hes started catching baby birds now. We tried keeping him inside for a while, but our house is directly in the sun and heats up easily. If we leave even one window open he escapes.

I have heard of de-clawing but I wasn't too sure about that.

Okay don't worry I won't declaw him. I only briefly considered it but he wouldn't suit the indoor life.

It's a good thing I'm not squeamish, I was just worried about the birds. Thank you all for such wonderful answers. I guess we'll just have to make do with mulitple bells or something ^_^

Answer 1

The only thing I have to say is declawing is NOT an option for any cat owner. More info on it can be found here: http://www.declawing.com/

It's a cruel procedure and not only will not stop your cat from hunting birds, but it will also put him at risk of being attacked undefended since this cat seems to be an outdoor one. personally, I don't think cats are the kind of pets thats should be kept outside. That was your first mistake. If you were not able to fully care for your cat and provide it with a proper environment, you should not have gotten him in the first place.

Second, hunting is in a cat's nature. it's natural for them and is not something you can stop. Your cat cannot be taught NOT to hunt. The only remedy is trying to keeping your cat inside again. The only way to fix the heat problem is to regulate it with something like an AC, or putting whats called pet screen in your windows. It's a thick type of screening that is resistant to being torn or scratched. I can't tell you how much abuse my screen door has taken and it's still as functional as they day we put it in. This way your kittie is safe inside, and your bird problem is solved.

(Take note, even if you bring your kittie inside, declawing is still a cruel practice by any means, don't even consider it. Train your cat to be gentle with his claws instead, and trim them regularly.)

And lastly, regarding the bell collars. If you don't intend to bring your kittie inside remove the bell from the collar. This is dangerous for your cat as it warns not only birds about your kittie's presence, but can also work against your cat in hiding from things like stray dogs that would not hesitate to injure or even kill your cat.

Answer 2

I'm sure it is hurting you to see kitty killing baby birds, but the kitty is only doing what cats do. A big jingle bell that is dangly so kitty has a hard time keeping it silent may be an answer. De-clawing isn't good for kittys, especially if the cat is going to continue to go outside, which it sounds like he is already used to doing. If you try to keep him inside, he will probably get frustrated and start clawing the rug next to the door or ruining the furniture. Unfortunately, I think you are going to have to let kitty do his thing, and if he brings you the bird, that is a sign of love and affection. Praise him as you take the bird away, put it in the trash with a lid that closes tight so kitty won't try to get it back.

Answer 3

Get a louder bell for him, sometimes multiple bells on a collar can help.

Could you get some sort of an air conditioning unit? Sometimes these can be picked up quite cheaply and would solve the problem of the open window. He will be safer if you can keep him inside.

I think declawing is an horrendous operation and if you do get a cat declawed it must not be left outside as it would be defenceless and at serious risk from many threats.

Answer 4

If you live in a coyote area - they will hear the bells and get your cat! De-clawing is not a good idea - it's not just the claws that are removed - they cut down to the last joint! It's amputation - I had it done to my cat (regrettably) 10 years ago and sometimes he still holds up his front paws. It may be hard, but making him into an indoor only cat would be the best. Put screens on the windows. My cats have a "cat-hammock" that hangs from the windowsill and they watch the birds outside, but don't get them. Try confining him to one room and giving him lots of toys to distract him, play with him alot, then open the house up to him. He'll be fine with time. If he tries to get outside, hide around the corner with a squirt bottle filled with water and spray him when he sneaks out. If you don't have another cat for him to play with - get one! As long as you have one cat - what's the difference if you have two?

Answer 5

I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for the hunting problem but please don't declaw him unless you plan to keep him inside permanently. If he's ever being chased it's bad enough that he can't hide since he has the bell on and w/o claws he may as well be dead since he won't be able to climb heights to get out of the way or fight off anything trying to attack him.

Answer 6

Facts of life. Cats are predators, Birds are prey. Cats hunt birds. It is nature's way. Do not de-claw that cat then you have created a defenseless cat which will be killed or maimed by the next critter up on the food chain. If you are too squeamish to see nature at work. give the cat to a no kill shelter.

Answer 7

I take COMPLETE exception to TG's answer; his statement that "Cats kill thousands of birds in their lifetimes" is utter nonsense. (Birds are disappearing because of West Nile virus, not cats!) I've had many, many cats over the years (some very good hunters) and I can count on my fingers and toes the number of birds they've killed.
Declawing won't stop it, and neither will a bell on the collar; cats learn to move so that the bell remains quiet. What I would do is discourage the birds from coming into my yard in the first place...that means eliminating feeders, birdhouses and birdbaths. Don't make your yard inviting to them, and they'll be more likely to go to more accomodating yards.
I like birds, but I love my cats!

Answer 8

DO NOT DE-CLAW.

De-clawing is a kinder way of saying that to keep your fingers nails from growing, we are going to amputate your fingers up to the first knuckle.

De-Clawing is an amputation and nothing more.

And if you amputate his toes and claws which are his defense, the cat will get very moody.

Then what can the cat do if he is out doors and is threatened by an enemy with out his defenses?
If the cat is getting out of an open window, put a screen in it.

Cats are natural hunters. He is doing what he was born to do. Keep him in the house and all will be fine.

Answer 9

What exactly do you think you'll solve by declawing the cat? It will still be able to catch birds without claws, but it won't be able to defend itself.

The solution is to stop letting the cat outside.

Answer 10

I've heard of de-clawing, but only for house cats that never go outside. Declawing would rob a cat of means of defence and also ways of getting around. I'm afraid there's not much you can do about it.