If your feline companion places a deceased rodent on your doorstep, it is not a gift for you. It is, in fact, a critique of your culinary skills. Read more about it here!
Can Cats Eat Cheese?
Most people observe that cats enjoy cheese during breakfast. But are these treats truly suitable for our four-legged friends? Can cats eat cheese? Allow us to clarify the situation.
The True Meaning Behind the Cat’s Mouse-Bearing Gesture
A pitiful squeak is heard, and in the blink of an eye, the kitty is already around the corner with a mouse. Even though we sympathize with the tiny rodents, the fact that cuddly tigers can turn into predators is a natural primal instinct. They satisfy their urge to hunt in the neighboring gardens. The animal spoils are then exhibited with pride. But why do cats bring mice home?
1. They Secure Their Prey
To prevent another hungry ball of fur from stealing its mouse, the cat takes it to a protected place. As numerous domestic tigers feel the safest within their four walls, it is evident that they bring their prey home. Whether their humans like it or not.
2. You Are Terrible at Hunting!
Speaking of humans, your cat brings a mouse because, in its eyes, you are incapable of hunting your own prey. The quadrupeds consider us too loud, too slow, and too poorly coordinated to hunt successfully. And of course, they do not want us to suffer from hunger.
Cats have learned to care for the young and weak members of the pack within the community by bringing them prey they have hunted. This learned behavior resurfaces when we live with humans. It almost seems like a proof of love!
3. Your Cat Wants to Be Rewarded
When your cat brings a mouse, meaning when it “works” hard to bring food to the table, it naturally expects praise in return. The master and mistress must show their gratitude for this benevolent prey – in the form of other treats and caresses, of course.
4. The Cat Brings a Live Mouse – It’s Your Turn to Play!
Is the fridge empty again? Don't worry, you have a furry assistant who can provide you a decent meal. But it doesn't work if the cat brings a still very much alive mouse. Yet again, it has a plausible reason: your cat wants to teach you how to hunt!
The velvet paw wants to encourage you to catch the mouse yourself in order to hone your hunting abilities. And it works… Ultimately, you are desperately trying to lure the poor animal from behind the cupboard where it has taken refuge.
This behavior is also part of a cat's nature. When the kittens are old enough, the parents teach them to hunt by bringing them live prey instead of deceased ones. The mischievous little ones must then take care of it themselves.
What to Do If Your Cat Brings a Mouse
You can breathe easily, as you certainly do not have to kill the mouse. Your four-legged companion will readily turn your living room into a playground. Wait until your female cat is exhausted and has lost all interest in the cat-and-mouse game. You can then remove the animal without her noticing. To do this, wear gloves, as small rodents can transmit diseases.
Typical Prey for a Cat
Your cat not only brings home mice, but also other small animals? That is quite normal. The prey brought by the little feline does not always have to be a mouse. Just like in the animal kingdom, tastes vary, and gardens and forests offer numerous possibilities. The savvy animal knows which species cats prefer to hunt:
- Mice
- Bats
- Rats
- Birds
- Frogs
- Rabbits
- Dormice
- Moles
- Insects like moths or butterflies
Therefore, if your cat lays prey at your feet, you can consider yourself fortunate. It has no ill intentions, it is simply following its internal instincts and wishes to take care of you with this animal “exercise material.”
