1st May 2006

Read more: Behaviour Cats | Comments (0)

Question:

Can I stop my cat bringing mice and birds into the house?

Answer:

Cats evolved to hunt and catch small prey. They begin to practice their hunting skills as kittens, and soon become very proficient. As pets, cats develop a special kitten/parent relationship with us that makes them want to bring us small ‘gifts’ of the kills they make. Some cats have stronger instincts than others. We can’t stop them wanting to hunt, but we can hinder their attempts. Collars that reflect light to warn birds and bells to scare rodents may help. It is also possible now to purchase special collars that emit high frequency bleeps. These have proved very efficient in hampering our little friends in their attempts to hunt wildlife. Collars carrying wildlife-scaring devices are usually more expensive and are made so they are less likely to be lost. This does make them more difficult to get out of should they get caught up. The decision is yours as to whether the benefits outweigh the hazards.