Our furry friends may be cute and cuddly, but inevitably every paw parent has to deal with some grosser aspects of life with felines. Whether it’s cleaning up your kitty’s vomit, finding a hairball where you least expect it, or daily litter box maintenance, some parts of cat parenthood are less than pleasant. Of course, it can be particularly unsettling when your cat brings home a dead animal and leaves you to deal with the mess. Your little house lion has all the food they need at home, so it can be confusing when they still go out to hunt and kill prey. Curious why your cat brings home dead animals? Cat in a Flat explains the 6 main reasons why and how you can prevent it! 

Why does my cat bring home dead animals?

Why does my cat bring home dead animals? There can be a variety of reasons why your feline will bring home the occasional dead mouse, lizard, or bird. They may be fulfilling their natural hunting instincts, looking for attention, or doing it because it’s fun. Our furry friends communicate their love for us in some unique ways, so it can be hard to know exactly why your cat brings home dead animals. However, there are some common reasons why Mr Whiskers might be doing this. 

6 reasons your cat brings home dead animals

1. Strong prey drive

When they’re sleeping on their backs or face down on the couch, it’s hard to believe our tiny house lions are dangerous predators. But your cat is not that far removed from their wilder ancestors. And this means that their natural prey drive and hunting instincts are still very strong. Your fur friend was born to hunt—even when they don’t need to in order to survive. Hence your cat may enjoy hunting and bringing home the occasional dead animal. 

2. They want attention or approval

Cats often have the reputation of being standoffish and independent. But as a paw parent you’ve probably learned that felines can be quite affectionate and will often seek approval from their favourite humans. Your cat may bring you dead animals because they think you’ll like it. So, while it can be uncomfortable to receive such a gift, look it as your kitty’s way of saying they love you and want your approval. 

3. Home is a safe space

A cat-friendly home is a place where your feline can be comfortable and at ease. Essentially, it’s their den. So, it’s only natural for your cat to bring their prey to a place where they feel safe. It’s possible your fur friend is following this natural instinct to bring dead animals home with the intention of consuming them in safety, only to abandon their prey for the yummy contents of their food bowl!

4. They’re trying to teach you

Felines may be born with natural hunting instincts, but they still have to learn skills to be effective hunters. Mothers will often bring their kittens wounded animals in order to teach them how to kill prey. This a safe way for kittens to practice killing easy prey before graduating to more difficult hunting. To Mr Whiskers, you may seem like a large, furless, dumb cat who was never taught how to hunt. So, your cat brings you dead animals in an attempt to teach you important survival skills!

5. They’re territorial

Cats are territorial animals, and a new addition to the neighbourhood can easily disrupt the local feline hierarchy. If your kitty is catching prey and leaving their dead bodies around the garden, it could be a way of keep other cats off their territory. It’s essentially Mr Whiskers’ way of telling other cats that a stronger, better predator lives there and they need to stay far away.

6. Just for fun! 

If you’ve ever witnessed nighttime zoomies, or watched your cat play endlessly with a crumpled bit of paper or toilet roll, you know our fur friends can find creative ways to keep themselves entertained. Your kitty may hunt and play with prey for no other reason than it’s fun. When a cat brings home a dead animal, it could be they accidentally killed it while playing and have decided to deposit it with you. 

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How can I stop my cat bringing dead animals home?

How can I stop my cat bringing dead animals home? If left unchecked, felines can decimate local wildlife populations. While it’s healthy for your kitty to engage their natural instincts, you should try as much as possible to stop them from hunting and killing prey. Not only because it’s better for local wildlife, but because your kitty could get injured while hunting, or may catch a disease or parasite from infected prey. Here are a few ways to help prevent your cat from hunting and bringing home dead animals: 

• Redirect your cat’s hunting instinct with daily playtime. Use toys that mimic real prey, such as feather wands or plush mice with feather tails. Several short play sessions throughout the day are ideal. If you’re away from home a lot, consider hiring a cat sitter to pop in for at-home care and playtime during the day. 
• Place a bell on your cat’s collar. Felines are very stealthy hunters and can easily sneak up on prey. A bell will help to alert animals to your kitty’s presence and give them a chance to escape. Just make sure Mr Whiskers wears a quick-release collar that will break away if they get caught on something while out and about. 
• Keep your fur friend indoors at dawn and dusk, when prey is most active. This will lessen your cat’s success at hunting and bringing home dead animals. 
• Keep your kitty indoors or cat-proof your outdoor space. If possible, monitor your feline while they’re outside. Try to provide a safe space (such as a catio) where Mr Whiskers can enjoy the outdoors without the risk of them hunting and killing local wildlife. 

Want to learn more about the strange behaviours of our furry friends? You’ll enjoy our blog posts on why cats love boxes and the main reasons your kitty ‘cat-bombs’ your video calls.