Cats are predators with a natural instinct to hunt. If they go outside, they are likely to show an interest in local animals and try to catch rodents, birds and other small prey. This drive to hunt is not motivated by hunger. Even if they are well fed at home they will still have an innate need to chase and grab things.
If they manage to catch their prey, they can kill it immediately and eat it. But sometimes they can bring it back to the house, dead or alive.
Why do cats bring mice and other animals home?
Some cat owners mistakenly believe that cats bring their prey home as a generous gift, as a way to show their love and support their family.Ad
Another myth is that the cat is trying to teach its owner how to hunt, presenting the result of a successful catch to show him what to do.
However, the real reason cats bring these “gifts” home is because their home is a place where they feel safe and protected. When cats catch prey, they may not want to eat it or leave it where other animals might steal it.
So they bring it back to their territory, where they know they can eat it without any problems or store it safely for later. Even though it’s not a gift for you, it can still be considered a sign of love, as it shows that they feel safe with you.
Some cats may bring home random objects like leaves or branches, toys, human or cat food, and even clothes from the neighbor’s clothesline. Just like bringing home dead or live animals, these items are not actually gifts for you. The cat will bring the item home because it finds it interesting. Maybe because it smells appealing or moves in a similar way to their prey.
By bringing food into their territory, they can safely explore it and avoid others stealing it.
