why does my cat bring me dead birds

A Desire to Feed Their Families

Cats are pack animals as well, so they frequently want to share their bounty with their family. This is particularly true for female cats, who would typically pass on their hunting and eating skills to their young. This implies that a cat considers you a member of their family when it brings you an animal it has caught, whether it is alive or dead. Their instincts tell them that this is what they must do to survive and that they must teach their family these critical, life-saving skills.

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why does my cat bring me dead birds

How to Redirect the Prey Drive

Although a cat’s innate prey drive cannot be eliminated, it can be directed toward playing instead of hunting. Playing doesn’t reinforce a cat’s prey drive; instead, it fulfills its hunting instinct. Any toy that your cat has to chase and catch, like feather wands, laser pointers, moving toys, and other objects that it can’t help but try to catch, is mentally stimulating its natural prey drive.

Cats require mental stimulation, particularly those that appear to have a high prey drive. It will find something to satisfy its prey drive if there is nothing for it to hunt, pursue, and catch. They could leap at your feet as you pass by or scale the curtains to seize fictitious prey.

Give your cat lots of playtime each day to reroute their innate hunting tendencies. This helps your cat get exercise and lessens behavioral issues if it frequently brings mice or lizards inside your home. Cats kept indoors are frequently overweight and could benefit from some assistance with weight loss through exercise.

While a lot of cats are content to chase a laser pointer, some also need to act out “killing” their prey. Give your cat something to “kill,” like a small stuffed animal, if it appears frustrated or keeps trying to destroy items it finds on the ground, like a single shoe.

why does my cat bring me dead birds

The Spruce / Charlotte Engelsen

FAQ

Why did my cat give me a dead bird?

Cats may see us, the humans, as rather inexperienced hunters. Or perhaps they want to show affection. Next time your cat brings you a dead animal as a gift,remember it is essentially his way of telling you he loves and cares for you. Looking for ways to protect your mighty hunter?

Why do cats bring dead birds to the door?

This means when a cat brings you an animal they caught, be it alive or dead, they consider you a part of their family. Their instincts are telling them this is what they need to do to survive and that they need to pass these important, life-saving skills onto their family.

What does it mean when your pet brings you a dead bird?

So, when your cat or dog presents you with a dead animal, it is normal behaviour and can indicate their attachment to you. It’s also a reminder, though, of how much damage they can do to wildlife and of our responsibility to limit that harm.

Why does my cat keep killing birds and bringing them inside?

She’s killing prey and bringing it back to keep it from other predators. She’s bringing it to you so you can survive, too. She’s teaching you how to hunt and what to look for — a motherly instinct, as more female cats are gifters. She’s inviting you to participate in the play of hunting and killing.