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Bringing ‘gifts’ or things to their owners is an instinctual thing cats do, just like their scratching, grooming, or kneading behaviors. It comes from a primal part of them where they’d show that they could catch prey.
To learn more about this phenomenon, Bored Panda reached out to Jennifer Van de Kieft, who started ‘Cat Advocate’ in 2018 and has since helped hundreds of cat guardians understand their feline’s behavior issues. She has obtained multiple certifications in pet training, as a behavior specialist, and in animal nutrition.
She said that “a cat who goes outside and brings home trash or dead animals is likely practicing their hunting skills and bringing their catch home to their territory to safely be able to investigate it further away from competition. A lot of people say the cat is bringing you a gift, but I'm not sure if that's what they are thinking.”
“In our home, bringing us a toy may indicate that your cat is ready for interactive play. Having regular playtime each day is a great way to provide exercise and improve your cat's emotional health. When your cat brings you a toy, toss it for them to chase or take out a wand toy to engage them,” she added.
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As a city cat he did city hunting. One day he came home with a supermarket tray of liver.....
Never did find out where, how or whom he got it from but he did enjoy eating it.
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Cats are such surprising and interesting creatures that even this habit of bringing weird things to their owners is very endearing. To understand more about them, we also reached out to Allison Hunter-Frederick, who is a certified cat behavior consultant and trainer.
She is also the wife of a supportive husband and mother of four fur kids and several revolving foster cats. Through her business, ‘Allison Helps Cats,’ she uses her knowledge of cats to help their owners and animal shelters with their cat behavior needs.
Allison explained that “there are different theories about why cats bring dead animals to their owners. One theory is that they see their owners as family and are trying to provide for them the way they would for kittens. At the very least, they may be trying to nurture their owners in the same way outdoor mother cats teach their young to hunt—by bringing them dead or severely maimed prey”
“Another possibility is that cats are showing affection or seeking approval. The best way they can think of to express love and appreciation might be to ‘gift’ their owners with their prey. Similarly, they may believe the best way to gain approval is to present something they assume their owner will like.”
“From a practical standpoint, cats may simply bring a dead animal to a location where they feel safe and secure, which just happens to be near their owner. When a cat catches prey, they may not want to eat it or leave it where another animal could steal it. Instead, they bring it to a familiar place where they can eat in peace or store it for later,” she explained.
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Once I stepped on a bee, and the next week she brought a bee sting stick
It’s been over 10,000 years since cats were domesticated, but it seems like their instinct to hunt is almost unchanged. They may prey on mice, birds, or certain pests. The problem is that this can negatively affect wildlife and, in certain extreme cases, even contribute to the extinction of native species.
That's why it’s important to protect the local wildlife with a few creative solutions. Putting a bell on your cat might help tiny animals scurry away when they hear it. Keeping bird feeders high up, where your feline can’t reach, will help them stay out of harm’s way. Finding ways to keep your cat occupied will also divert their attention from these hunting behaviors.
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Some of the presents cats brought their owners in this list are really funny and weird, but sometimes there can be gross things they bring into the house, too. It’s difficult to know whether pet lovers should encourage this behavior or let the animals follow their natural instincts.
Jennifer told us that “if the behavior is not harmful, such as bringing you a toy within the home, then I would encourage it by playing with your cat as your cat is showing you what they need at that moment.”
“Daily playtime is highly beneficial for your cat's physical and emotional health. If your cat goes outside and brings home dead animals, that is potentially harmful to wildlife and dangerous to your cat. With different strains of bird flu going around now, keeping your cat inside might be the safest thing to do.”
“If that's not an option, feeding your cat a high animal protein diet can help reduce their predatory drive. Engaging your cat in playtime can also help minimize their hunting behaviors outside the home,” she explained.
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Hunting is a part of a feline’s natural instincts, so it doesn’t make sense to punish them for it. That’s why we asked Allison what people can do if their pet cat brings them such presents. She said that “there are ways to discourage cats from catching and bringing animals home.”
“If a cat brings a dead animal inside, the owner should:
- check the cat for injuries or bites.
- wear gloves and safely dispose of the animal according to local protocols.
- thoroughly disinfect the area using a pet-safe cleaner. A solution of equal parts white vinegar and water is an effective, non-toxic option."
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The first one was found by sticking her foot in her slipper, and getting a foot full of squished, half eaten surprise kitty present....in the middle of the night, while half asleep!
What’s really important for cat owners to know is that their furry friends need mental and physical enrichment. If they aren’t kept engaged, cats might end up feeling bored and then start doing destructive things. That’s why some kind of training, movement-based activities, and colorful toys need to be integrated into their routine.
Doing all of this can help you also bond with your cat and spend some much-needed quality time together. If you train them yourself, you will also gain a greater understanding of their body language, personality, and the way they think.
