While there is nothing you can do to remove your cat’s instinct to stalk and pounce, here are some tips to protect our wildlife from pets who might be on the prowl.
The gift
Cats bring prey home for a variety of reasons: they want to say thanks by sharing their food, they think you need hunting lessons, they feel safe eating the spoils of their labour in your home, or they’re full up on the tasty biscuits you provided earlier but want a snack for later.
Basic instinct
Your cat is a natural hunter. While there is nothing you can do to remove your cat’s instinct to stalk and pounce, it’s important to protect our wildlife and stop the negative impact domestic pets have on native animals. In fact, its predator instincts will still not be dulled even when your cat is domesticated. Here are some ways to deal with your pet’s misplaced kindness.
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- Inside cat: the only sure-fire way to stop your cat bringing home dead animals is for it to become an exclusively inside cat. If that’s not possible, buy a smart cat flap door to confine it indoors at times its prey is vulnerable: at night, early morning and after rain.
- Play: tire your pet out with ball games, wands, automatic interactive toys and plenty of distractions for climbing and scratching. A tired cat is more likely to curl up for a nap than go out on the prowl.
- Feed: although a well-fed cat will still have the desire to hunt, it is less likely to go in for the kill. Make sure your pet is getting a good quality diet
- Bell the cat: alert unwitting wildlife to your cat’s approach y fitting your pet with a belled collar with breakaway buckles or elasticised sections.
- Disposal: if your pet does bring home something it shouldn’t, don’t bury the remains as your cat will try to dig it up. Instead, wrap it well and put it in the bin, ensuring your cat or other animals can’t reach in and retrieve it.