Why Does My Cat Bring Me Dead Animals?

You open the door and there it is: a mouse, a lizard or a bird, proudly left for you. It can be upsetting, but to your cat this is completely natural, and some experts think it may even be their way of sharing with their family.

Why cats bring “gifts”

• Hunting instinct: even well-fed cats are born hunters. Hunting isn’t about hunger.
• A safe place: cats bring prey home, where they feel safe, to eat or play with it.
• Teaching you: mother cats bring prey to their kittens, so your cat may be “teaching” you to hunt.
• Boredom: cats without enough play often hunt more.

What really helps

1. Don’t punish. Your cat won’t understand. Calmly remove the gift with gloves.
2. Play “hunting” games every day. Wand and feather toys let your cat stalk, chase and pounce safely.
3. Try a bell collar. A safety collar with a bell can warn birds and lizards (use a quick-release collar for safety).
4. Keep cats in at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active.
5. Feed a satisfying, high-protein diet and keep meals regular.

Keep your cat healthy

Prey can carry parasites, so keep your cat’s deworming and flea treatments up to date. If your cat may have eaten a poisoned rat or mouse, or seems unwell after a hunt, call your vet straight away.

The heart of it

As strange as it feels, a gift on the doormat means your cat sees you as family. Channel those instincts into play, and you’ll have a happy hunter who protects your garden’s little visitors too.