As a cat owner, you may find dead birds, mice, or other small animal carcasses around your house. Many pet owners are often confused by this behavior of cats, and after repeated education, they still make mistakes. In fact, this is the hunting instinct of cats at work.
Why do cats hunt?
From a long time ago, cats were not kept as pets. Before being domesticated by humans, cats had to fend for themselves and forage for food, just like their larger cousins, tigers and lions.
More and more evidence suggests that even after we domesticated them, cats still hunt, mostly rodents, and this is a continuation of their instincts.
However, today's pet cats still hunt more for entertainment. Seeing or hearing the sound of prey triggers the cat's hunting instinct, making it almost impossible for them to resist the sound of birds their wings or see a flying mouse.
How do cats learn to hunt?
Cats usually learn to hunt in the same way as most mammals - from their mothers. In many cases, hunting is a learned behavior, first taught by their mothers and then strengthened and honed by playing with their peers.
Studies have shown that kittens who have the opportunity to observe their mother's hunting are better at hunting than those who have not. Nevertheless, most kittens who have never seen their mother hunt still use their instincts to solve problems.
Although some cats may demonstrate their hunting behavior by playing with toys or trying to catch flies, some cats may use newly discovered skills to eventually bring prey home. This prey can be anything from mice and birds to larger prey such as rabbits.
Cat hunting strategy
Cats go through a process of searching, capturing, and killing when hunting. First, they search for potential prey in the environment. Once they find something, they slowly approach or track the prey until they are close enough to catch it. Then, they play for a while before killing the prey, depending on their hunger level, difficulty, and size of the prey. It should be noted that cats do not always kill the prey they catch.
Why do cats play with prey?
Playing with prey does not necessarily mean cruelty. By playing with prey, it causes confusion and fatigue, making it easier for cats to kill prey. If a cat does this, it means it does not feel in danger.
Is your cat hunting because it's hungry?
Cat owners tend to think that their cats hunt because they are hungry, but this is not usually the case. In fact, a study found that pet cats only eat 30% of the prey they kill. If cats rely on their catch to make a living, they must catch 10 to 20 small animals every day.
This is a daunting task, especially considering that the success rate of cat hunting is less than 50%. Therefore, for cats fed by humans, hunting is more of a recreational activity than a necessary behavior.
Did your cat bring you a gift?
When your cat brings you a dead little animal, you think it's giving you a gift, but is it true? This may be similar to the way wild cats provide food for their kittens while teaching them valuable survival skills. However, since most domestic cats are neutered and have no children to raise, they may transfer these instincts to their owners. Alternatively, they may bring their spoils home to eat. If so, this indicates that the cat feels happy and safe in your home, and even has enough security to trust you.
How to stop cats from hunting?
You shouldn't punish your cat for hunting, because it's just expressing its instincts.
1. Redirect hunting instincts through games
Redirecting a cat's hunting instinct through frequent play is one of the most effective ways to help reduce or eliminate its hunting behavior. Play provides your cat with mental stimulation and helps satisfy its hunting desires. Many cats like to "hunt" cat teaser sticks. You can also try a variety of toys to see what your cat likes best. Generally, cats get excited about toys that fly in the air, while other cats prefer to play with toys that can be chased on the ground. Try different toy types and actions to find the most suitable toy for cats. This type of play is necessary for pet cats who do not have many opportunities to hunt naturally, which may lead to behaviors such as biting and jumping on your feet.
2. Give it a collar with a bell
A separation collar with a bell can effectively suppress a cat's ability to catch prey. If you buy a cat collar with a bell, make sure it is a safety collar. If the cat gets tangled, it will break free.
3. Make sure it has enough food
If you think the cat is hunting because of hunger, make sure its diet is balanced. You can also try to feed it more. Depending on the cat's age and physical condition, make sure the amount of food you feed it is appropriate.
4. Monitor your cat's outdoor time
Some pet owners choose to only allow their cats to go out during supervised outdoor time. This includes putting cats in harnesses to limit their ability to engage in hunting activities. Another good way to let cats enjoy the outdoors without being scared by prey is to establish a "cattery" where they can observe birds, mice, insects, and other possible hunting trophies without harming them.
5. Avoid unintentionally rewarding hunting behavior
Many owners inadvertently reward and encourage this behavior. When they see a cat with a dead animal in its mouth, they will grab food or toys for them to throw away, which will lead to the cat bringing more prey home and constantly receiving rewards and playtime.
6. Most importantly, buy him a cat tree.
MIKIDULU's cat tree is sturdy and of high quality, allowing your cat to jump, climb, and scratch well on it. It can fully release its vitality in limited indoor space, and when tired, it can also rest on it. Having a relatively safe and undisturbed space is also important for cats.
