Understand why cats have the habit of bringing dead animals home. Illustration: Petepop
Some owners are surprised when they see their pet cats bringing dead animals home after spending some time outside. Why do they do this? There are several factors behind this behavior, keep reading to learn more!
Many animals have a natural need to teach their young how to hunt. In nature, there are few land predators more imposing than large felines. Domestic cats may not be as big and strong as their wild relatives, but they also have sharp claws and teeth and are not afraid to use them!
When your kitten brings you a small dead animal, it seems they are also tapping into those hunting instincts. Live Science reports that cats, like orcas and other species, want to pass their hunting skills on to the next generation.
However, a study published in April 2009 in the American Veterinary Medical Association revealed that 80 percent of pet cats in the United States have been spayed or neutered.
The result, according to Live Science, is that cats do not tend to have kittens. Their owners are their humans, it seems, and because of this, we get the joy of seeing dead creatures at our doorstep.
Fortunately, our furry friends have the best intentions when they bring dead animals home, according to Anita Kelsey, a cat behavior specialist.
She explained that cats may be trying to teach their humans how to hunt, according to their natural role. Not only that, but by returning home with them, they are expressing how pleased they are with you. “Home is the primary safe area for cats, so it makes sense to bring the prey to a place where they feel comfortable and secure,” Kelsey told The Sun.
Illustration: Petepop. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
