Looks like you were peacefully sipping your morning coffee, and your cat walked in with a look of pure pride, dropping a dead mouse at your feet like it’s the greatest gift you’ve ever received. We know that in that moment you felt horrified and probably disgusted too. Almost like you hated your cat at that moment. Your feelings are understandable, but you need to hear their side of the story.
We are glad you searched it on the internet and landed here before forming a strong opinion about your feline. Here are 10 reasons why cats bring dead animals as gifts to their owners - (1)(2)(3)
The most basic reason behind this behavior is that cats are natural predators. They are tiny hunters who have, in ancient times, survived due to their hunting skills. Yes, we did domesticate cats a long time ago and since then we’ve been providing food and shelter to them. But some things are just embedded in genes. It’s noteworthy that we domesticated dogs around 40,000 years ago but cats only about 12,000 years ago. So, cats are more in touch with their wild side.
Another reason is that bringing dead animals or their kills as gifts for you is a way of showing affection towards you. Why do you get birthday gifts? It’s from the people to tell you that they love you and are glad that you were born. Your cat probably thinks the same. They just don’t wait till your birthday.
One reason can also be that they think you’re totally useless in the hunting game. They bring their hunt to you to show you how it’s done. They are either trying to help you or showing off their hunting skills. Surprisingly, domestic cats have a success rate of 32% in killing while the king of the jungle, the lion, only has 25%. Now that’s something you gotta flaunt!
Some people now think that bringing back dead animals, especially mice, goes back to their days in the wild. They tend to bring back the prey and go to their territory to eat it or store it in a safe place to eat later.
The next probable reason is that your cat views you as a part of their family. In the wild, cats used to live in colonies. They used to share their food with the rest of their colony. So, if your cat is bringing their prey back to you, it’s a sign that they view you as a member of their colony and want to share it with you.
It could also be their way to play with you. It had to either be toys or a prey. In the absence of toys, your cat might resort to its genetic skills and catch a toy of their own to play with you.
One very possible reason is that your cat is simply bored. It’s either because you not spending enough time with them, or they are just done with the same old toys. Hunting is like a thrilling sport for them (probably gives them an adrenaline rush). So, to cope with boredom, your cat may venture outside and look for a new moving toy. You just end up getting the spoils later.
Surprise! Not from us but that could actually be a reason your cat is bringing you dead animals. Don’t just think of it as a gift. Your cat may actually be trying to get a surprised reaction from you. Haven’t you experienced them jumping from behind the furniture and appearing in front of you like an Avenger?
We had to title this article as 10 reasons but there aren’t actually 10 distinct reasons why your cat brings dead animals to you.
We hope you understand why we had to do it. You probably wouldn’t have landed here and gotten all these amazing facts otherwise.
Should I Be Worried If My Cat Keeps on Bringing Me Dead Animals?
The only thing you need to worry about here is the foul smell of the dead animal in your house. Apart from that, there is nothing harmful here for the cat. But we do understand why you would want this behavior to stop or at least get minimized.
Here are some ways you can do so – (3)
Put a bell around their collar – A simple way of shouting ‘Spoiler Alert!’ to the prey before enough for them to run away.
Keep the bird feeders (if any) high enough for your cat to not reach.
Dusk, night and early morning are the three most common times for small mammals and birds to be active and vulnerable. Avoid sending your cat outside at those times.
Look for toys that can give your cat an avenue to show their hunting skills. Make sure your cat gets to stalk, chase and pounce. Laser lights can be a great way to do so. (Here’s an entire article for you to read about how to and how to not use them - Are Laser Pointers Bad for Cats) (add hyperlink)
Build a nice Catio outside your house for your cat. Fill it with toys and treats so that your cat doesn’t need to step out of it for entertainment. Make sure you enclose it so that even if they feel the urge to go out, they can’t.
More about Spot Pet Insurance
You need not worry much about your cat’s hunting skills. But at times, your cat can get injured or bring back some illness along with the prey. In severe cases, it can lead to a serious medical condition that may even need surgery.
You need not worry about the costs of treatment at those times as well. Pet health insurance can help you save up to 90% on vet bills and much more. With a Spot accident and illness plan, you can take your cat for treatment at any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Spot plans don’t have networks, so whether you’re home or traveling within the U.S, veterinary services your cat receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of eligible services can be covered. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions, ranging from broken bones and bite wounds to behavioral conditions, and cancer. While base plans do not offer coverage for preventive care services, Spot’s Wellness Riders can be added to any base plan for an additional fee and can help cover the eligible costs of wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more!
Learn more about cat insurance or get a free quote!
With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.
Cats.com. (2023, March 1). Why do cats bring you dead animals? https://cats.com/why-do-cats-bring-you-dead-animals
