The moment a cat brings a dead animal into our house, everything changes. We began to look at our feline differently. We get scared. Probably, if this has just happened to you, you will be perplexed and wondering the reason behind it.
Although it may seem a little creepy, the truth is that your cat feels very good and happy to bring you a dead animal. Keep reading this post on our site and discover why cats bring dead animals….
A domestic predator
Approximately 4,000 years ago cats began to be domesticated, however and today, we can verify that it is not a particularly docile and submissive animal. It has not happened at least in the same way as with other animals.
The cat's instincts begin to develop before the puppy even opens his eyes. Stimulated through different sounds, the kitten responds and interacts to achieve survival.
It is not surprising that the cat has a special instinct for hunting. His dexterity and genetic predisposition make him a skilled hunter who quickly discovers how to catch toys, balls of wool, or small animals. However not all cats kill their prey. Why?
How do they learn to kill? Do they need to?
A relaxed life routine, food, water, affection… All of this provides the cat with security and well-being that make him move away in a certain mode of their primal survival instincts. But then; Why do cats hunt dead animals? What need do they have?
According to a study, cats learn the ability to kill their prey from other cats. Usually their mother is the one who teaches them to kill animals to ensure their survival, but another cat can also do it.
Be that as it may, the domesticated cat does not need to hunt to feed itself, for that reason we usually observe two types of behavior: they play with their prey or they give it to us.
Why the cat gives us his prey
As we have commented in the previous point, the cat can play with its prey or give it to us. Playing with the dead animal has a clear meaning; the cat does not need to be fed so he will enjoy his trophy in another way
The second case is not so clear. Many people hold the theory that the dead animal is a gift that professes affection and admiration. But the truth is that there is a second reasoning that the cat is helping us survivesince he knows that we are not good hunters at all
This second explanation adds that cats, by social custom within a colony, teach each other. In addition, it suggests that castrated females may have a greater predisposition to "teach" to kill since it is something innate in their nature and that they can only transmit with whom they live.
How to prevent the cat from bringing dead animals
This type of behavior, no matter how unpleasant it may be for us, should not be repressed For the cat it is a natural and positive behavior. It shows us that we are part of his family and for that reason a bad response could generate discomfort and mistrust in our cat.
However, we can improve some details of his routine to prevent that from happening, or at least in the current way. Here are the tips from our site:
- A home life: Preventing your cat from going outside will be a good measure to avoid giving us dead animals. Remember that keeping it away from weeds and dirt on the streets will prevent it from suffering a parasite infestation. Something very beneficial for him and for you. Adjusting to home life will be easy if you have everything you need at your disposal.
- Play with your cat: Many people are unaware of the different cat toys on the market. We have endless possibilities that we must experience together with him.
Remember that cats can have fun some time alone but the fundamental thing that really motivates them is your presence Get a duster with a rope that you can move and encourage your cat to move to hunt it. We guarantee that the game will last much longer.
Do you have any tricks to avoid it? An experience you want to share? Feel free to comment at the end of this article so that our site and other users can help you. Also, don't miss this video at Laia Salvador, feline educator at Dos Adiestramiento, shares her advice.
