Have you ever come home to find that your cat has left you a half-eaten mouse, bird or other dead animal which is now lying on your kitchen floor? Or worse, they’ve dragged this critter into your bedroom, and left their ‘gift’ at the end of your bed.
Our cat Polly (a stunning grey calico cat) was an outdoor cat and a prolific hunter who would go on adventures and not be seen for a week. She was also a very generous cat; bringing countless dead animal ‘gifts’ home over the years. So why do cats bring you dead rodents or birds as gifts – and more importantly, how can you make it stop?
Why your cat brings home dead animals
Whilst receiving a dead animal carcass as a gift can be upsetting for us humans, this behaviour is a normal and natural instinct for your cat. There are several theories about why cats choose to bestow us with these gruesome gifts, we just have to work out what the most likely reason is.
Hunting and sharing food
Cats are born with strong hunting instincts, deeply ingrained in their DNA. In the wild, cats hunt and kill prey for food, bringing their catch back to their den to share with their social group and kittens, or to teach hunting skills. Domesticated cats no longer need to hunt for food but the instinct remains strong and they will bring their prey home to share with you, their family.
Storing food
Another instinctive feline behaviour is the storing (or caching) of food, in a hidden location where it is safe and will remain fresh until they are ready to eat it. That’s why, when your cat catches and kills a small animal such as a mouse or bird, they bring their prey home, where they can eat comfortably without fighting for their food. Although it’s not ideal, it’s actually a very sweet compliment. It means your cat feels safer in your home and with you, than they do anywhere else.
Social bonding and communication
Cats typically form strong bonds with their owners, and a dead animal gift may be a way for your cat to express their affection, or seek praise and approval for their hunting success. As in “Hey human, look at this dead animal I brought you as a gift. I love you and wanted to share.”
Play behaviour
After hunting and killing prey, some cats will want to play with their catch – tossing, batting and pouncing on it. Bringing a dead animal into your home can be a sign they want to continue playing in their home environment.
Does this mean my cat is hungry? Should I feed them more?
Most likely not. Outdoor domestic cats will hunt even if they have a full belly. Hunting is a natural instinct for cats – they are wired to stalk, chase, capture and bring home prey. Stray cats and those that are left to roam freely outdoors will kill on average 186 reptiles, birds, and mammals each year. So, it’s fairly likely that your gift is actually the leftovers of an animal they killed but did not need to eat.
If you’re worried about your cat’s weight, nutrition, or hunger, the best person to ask is your vet. They can help you work out a suitable feeding plan for your cat and check for health issues that can cause increased hunger. But keep in mind, even when they’re well fed, if your cat has outside access, they will continue to hunt and kill, and probably bring you dead animals home as gifts.
Is it dangerous for my cat to hunt and eat their prey?
Yes. Even though hunting seems like a natural activity for your cat, there are some significant health risks involved. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “if my cat eats 186 animals a year and hasn’t got sick yet, they’re safe,” but this isn’t the case. It only takes one sick or poisoned rodent to hurt them.
Some of the risks include:
Parasites
Your cat’s natural prey carry a lot of parasites (such as fleas, ticks and worms) that can make your cat very sick and cost you a lot to treat them at the vet.
Poisoning
It’s really common for people to lay out poison for birds, rats, mice, and other pests. The poison doesn’t go away or become inactive once the intended target has ingested it. If your cat hunts an animal that has eaten poison, it will poison them, too.
Other predators
These critters are tasty to a lot of other animals, so it’s likely your cat won’t be hunting them alone. Small birds and mice attract snakes, birds of prey, dogs and coyotes that may be competing with your cat for food, and they could easily get injured in a fight.
Communicable diseases
Whenever your cat is outside, they are at risk of contracting a virus – like FIV or feline panleukopenia – from other outdoor cats and strays. This is especially likely if they are hunting the same mouse and get into a fight or if your cat crosses into another cat’s territory while hunting.
Rodent viruses
Rats are infamous for carrying diseases and many of these can be transmitted to the cats who eat them. When your cat brings them home, your family is exposed to all kinds of infections, like toxoplasmosis, hantavirus, and tularemia.
Injuries and abscesses
Prey animals often fight back, and it’s very common for rats to bite or scratch your cat’s face and mouth. This can lead to a nasty (and expensive) abscess.
Lungworm
I know someone that fostered a kitten who developed lungworm from eating rodents as a stray. As the name suggests, it’s a parasite that infects the lungs. It’s costly and hard to treat, and unlike normal worms, it affects your cat’s breathing and can kill them quickly.
Safety tips to protect your cat
The best way to keep your cat safe and reduce the risks associated with hunting prey is to keep your cat indoors or provide supervised outdoor access only. A secure cat enclosure or training your cat to walk on a harness and leash provides a safe way for your cat to enjoy the outdoors. It not only minimises the potential dangers for your cat but is also the best way to protect native wildlife and birds from a cat’s natural tendency to hunt.
Regardless of where your cat lives, it’s important to treat them for parasites routinely, keep their vaccinations up-to-date, and take them for routine health checks. If your cat does go outside, be sure to check them very carefully for signs of injury every time they come in, including inside their mouth.
How do I stop my cat bringing home unwanted gifts?
There are a few ways to stop your cat bringing home unwanted gifts. The best method is to keep them inside or in an enclosed cat run, away from their prey and the danger that comes with hunting. This has many other benefits for your cat, and indoor cats have a much higher life expectancy than outdoor cats.
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You can satisfy your cat’s natural hunting instincts at home by playing with toys. The best ones mimic what it’s like to chase and catch prey, like wand toys and electronic mice. In our house, Da Bird and the laser pointer are popular games. Just make sure you let your cat actually ‘catch and kill’ to satisfy their natural prey drive. You can also put a bird feeder outside your window so your cat can watch birds during their day.
If your cat goes outdoors, the go-to has always been to put a collar with a bell on them. However, I’ve seen this method fail several times. Even ‘breakaway’ safety collars can pose a strangulation risk, which is why I do not recommend them.
Hunting is a dangerous activity for your cat. To protect them and stop them bringing home dead animals as gifts such as birds, mice, and rats, it’s best to keep them safely indoors or in a cat enclosure.
