Here in Texas, the warm weather continues to bring big-bug-migrations from outside to the living room. The cats are thrilled with cricket carcasses and the occasional disoriented field mouse that takes a deadly detour. But why do cats bring you dead animals?

Thank goodness, both Karma-Kat and Trinity-Kitten haven’t presented me with anything beyond a cricket drumstick. But it’s not unusual for cats to share their bounty. Mousey morsels end up on the front porch or (Ew!) a beloved owner’s pillow. Why do cats bring us critter gifts?

Why Cats Hunt

No matter that cats were domesticated centuries ago, the instinct to hunt remains. Whether feral feline, barn cat, indoor-outdoor pet (to a safe enclosure of course!) or exclusively house kitty, many cats channel their inner wild child to hunt. They capture feather toys with great leaps, stalk string, capture evil grasshoppers, or ambush your ankles. And very successful cats capture rats and bunnies and snakes, oh my!

Sheba doesn’t have to be hungry to hunt, either. Well-fed cats hunt better, because they have the energy to burn. The behavior is hardwired in the cat brain so that the scurrying motion and ultrasonic squeak simply triggers a knee-jerk (paw-jerk?) reaction to pounce.

Why Cats Bring You Dead Critters

So what do these well-fed cats do once they’ve captured that ferocious moth, or decapitated (ew!) the vole? If they love you, some cats share the bounty. Such “gifts” may be displayed on the back step, in their food bowl, or (oh joy!) on your pillow.

There are a few different theorize why cats gift us with their hunt. Some behaviorists believe these cats look on their humans as inept hunters unable to bring home the bacon (or butterfly) without feline assistance. After all, he’s never seen YOU get down on all fours and pounce on your evening meal! These cats may even bring home live prey, and turn it loose in the house, much as they would do to train a kitten the ABCs of hunting.

Other experts theorize the cat simply brings his trophy to his nest–the house–with plans to play with, enjoy, and munch later. How frustrated our kitties must be to have their plans thwarted by dense, unappreciative humans when we (gasp!) rescue the still-living creature and turn it loose. Or dump the gift in the garbage, how rude!

What to Do About Cat Gifts

Wearing a bell on the collar may help give the cat’s prey an early warning and prevent or reduce the number of nasty gifts you receive. However, truly proficient cat hunters learn to move without ever ringing that bell. A better way to thwart the behavior is to simply keep the cat inside and provide your indoor tiger with alternative toys.

Of course, some houses are more critter-proof than others. Critters crawl under doorways or enter through attic spaces and (maybe?) deserve what they get from the resident feline.

Bringing cat toys during cat play seems sweet, or flowers (like the cat in the picture), but dead critters ain’t so nice. So, what’s a sensitive, caring owner to do?

Pay your cat a compliment, of course! Smile, praise the cat, let him or her preen with pride when you extol exceptional hunting prowess. Then (when kitty isn’t looking) carefully dispose of the trophy and perhaps replace it with a more wholesome treat.