Explained: Why do cats bring you dead animals

Have you ever come home to find your cat has left you a “gift” of a dead animal? Just like you, a lot of cat parents wonder why do cats bring you dead animals?

Cats are natural hunters and they love to stalk and chase their prey. When they see a little animal scurrying around, they can’t resist the urge to give chase. And when they finally catch their quarry, they feel a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Bringing you their catch is their way of showing you how much they care about you. It’s their way of saying, “Look what I got for you! I hope you’re happy!”

While it may not be the most pleasant thing in the world, there are actually a few reasons why cats do this.

Here are the top reasons why cats bring you dead animals

They consider you family

One reason is that they see you as part of their pride or pack. In the wild, when a lion or tiger catches prey, they will often bring it back to share with the rest of the group. Your cat sees you as part of their family and wants to share their bounty with you.

Natural Instinct

Even though the cats have been domesticated for a long time, they do have a natural hunting instinct. Even after they are provided with a healthy balanced meal, they would still want to gather their own food. Even if they won’t consume their prey, their natural instinct forces them to venture out to hunt. This is generally seen in the cats that are more of an indoor-outdoor kind.

Playful Nature

Of course, it’s also possible that your cat is just playing. Cats are natural hunters and love to stalk and pounce on their prey. Even though they know you’re not really going to eat the dead animal, they still enjoy the game.

As a result, sometimes cats may also bring you their toys instead of dead animals.

What can you do next?

• If your cat is bringing home dead animals, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it.

• Make sure your cat is spayed or neutered. This will help to reduce the urge to hunt.

• Provide your cat with plenty of toys and playtime. This will help keep them entertained and focused on other things besides hunting.

• Try to keep them indoors as much as possible. This will reduce the chances of them coming into contact with wild animals.

• If you must let them outside, consider getting a collar with a bell. The bell will warn prey of their approach and give them a chance to escape.

• Finally, have patience and understanding. Some cats simply love to hunt and no amount of prevention will change that. The best you can do is try your best to keep them safe and hope for the best.

So, the next time your cat brings you a dead mouse or bird, try to see it as a gesture of love. And if you really don’t want to find dead animals in your home, try to provide your cat with some safe and suitable toys to stalk and chase instead.