Why do cats bring dead animals?

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 18 February 2021
Update Date: 18 May 2024
Anonim
Why Do Cats Bring Home Dead Animals?
Video: Why Do Cats Bring Home Dead Animals?

Content

The moment a cat brings a dead animal into our house, everything changes. We started to look at our feline in a different way. It makes us scared. Chances are, if this happened to you, you will be puzzled and wonder the reason behind it.

Although it sounds a little scary, the truth is that your cat feels very good and happy to bring you a dead animal. Keep reading this PeritoAnimal article and find out because cats bring dead animals.

a domestic predator

About 4000 years ago, they began to domesticate cats, however, and today, we can see that the feline is not a particularly docile and submissive animal. At least, it didn't happen in the same way as with other animals.


The cat's instincts begin to develop before the kitten opens its eyes. Stimulated by different sounds, the kitten responds and interacts to achieve survival.

Not surprisingly, the cat has a special hunting instinct. His dexterity and genetic predisposition make him a skilled hunter who quickly discovers how to catch toys, wool balls or small animals such as birds. However, not all cats kill their fangs. Why?

How do they learn to kill? Do they need to do this?

A relaxed life routine, food, water, love... All this gives the cat safety and well-being that distance him in a way from his primary survival instincts. So why do cats bring dead animals? What need do they have?


According to one study, cats learn the ability to kill their prey from other cats. Usually, The mother is the one who teaches to kill the prey, thus ensuring its survival, but it can also be taught by another cat in your relationship.

In any case, the domesticated cat doesn't need to hunt for food, so we generally observe two types of behavior: they play with their prey or they give us gifts.

cat gift

As we mentioned earlier, the cat can play with its prey or give it to us. Playing with the dead animal has a clear meaning, the cat doesn't need to feed, 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 represents affection and admiration. However, there is a second reasoning that indicates that the cat is helping us to survive because he knows that we are not good hunters and that is why we often receive gifts from a cat.

This second explanation adds that, within a colony, cats teach each other out of social custom. Furthermore, it suggests that castrated females may have a greater predisposition to "teach" how to kill, since it is something innate in their nature and that they can only transmit with those they live with.

How to prevent the cat from taking dead animals to us

As unpleasant as it is, this type of conduct must not be repressed. For the cat it is a natural and positive behavior. It shows us that we are part of your family and, for that reason, a bad response can generate discomfort and distrust in our pet.

However, we can make some improvements to the details of your routine to prevent this from happening, or at least in the current way. Here are the Animal Expert's advice:

  • a home life: preventing your cat from going outside will be a good measure to prevent him from giving us dead animals. Keep in mind that keeping the cat away from the undergrowth and dirt on the streets will prevent it from suffering a parasite infestation, which is very beneficial for both it and you. Adapting to family life will be easy if your furry friend has everything he needs at his disposal.
  • play with your cat: many people are unaware of the variety of cat toys that are on the market. We have infinite possibilities that we should experiment with it.

Remember that cats can spend some time alone, however, the main thing that really motivates them is the your presence. Get a mop with rope that you can move and encourage your cat to move around to hunt him. We guarantee that the game will last much longer.

Do you have a trick to avoid this? An experience you want to share? Please feel free to comment at the end of this article so that Animal Expert and other users can help you.