Does your house cat have a nose for hunting that just won’t quit? Are you frequently the recipient of some expired corpse, be it mouse or bird, dropped at your feet by your feline friend as a gesture of love and kindness for you? While you may initially feel inclined to reprimand your cat for his behavior, remember the hunting instinct is quite natural and your cat is only doing what he is innately designed to do.
Sure, it can be an annoyance, as you probably don’t want a dead carcass on your floor. However, your cat does not realize he is misbehaving. To the contrary; he thinks he is doing you a service, acting out one of the most natural behaviors he knows. Hunting and stalking prey are deeply ingrained instincts, and more often than not, you will probably just have to accept that in your cat.
Those very instincts are why cats were initially domesticated thousands of years ago. When people first began to grow crops and store food, the cat’s hunting prowess was revered. Cats played an integral role in controlling the pesky rodent problems.
Now that our pest control methods have evolved, cats’ roles in our lives have significantly changed. What has not changed, though, is their instinct to hunt prey. Those razor sharp teeth and claws, along with their unique digestive and metabolism systems, need to have something to do! Game on!
Don’t assume cats engage in this behavior because they are hungry or lacking in affection and care. That is not usually the case. Even the most docile of felines will sometimes engage in hunting behaviors when the energy hits them. You’ve seen your cat react to most any small, fast-moving object and have probably witnessed your cat getting a charge out of pouncing, stalking, chasing and all that other playtime chaos. That is simply the thrill of the hunt at work!
The big question now is…. what can you do about this hunting behavior in your home? Although not easily solved, it can be practically addressed. Consider attaching a small bell to your cat’s collar which will alert potential prey, giving them fair warning. Or, you can simply keep your cat indoors. If you have to bring your cat outdoors for any reason, keep him in a confined area or on a leash.
But how should you react when your cat participates in the hunt and brings you the bounty of his efforts? It’s okay to pat him on the head and show some love. After all, he is merely trying to bond with you, giving you a treat much like you give him one. Just remember your cat is behaving the way he was wired to do, and that is probably never going to change!
Source: Alison Norwich of pets.ca
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
