Previously on Weibo, there were posts about cats catching birds or similar things to give to their owners. For many owners, this sudden gift is believed not to bring happiness, but fear! So why do cats perform such an action? Today, let's explore this together!

　　Both well-cared-for stray cats and domestic cats exhibit this behavior. Is this the legendary "cat’s repayment of kindness"? On the one hand, sharing food is a way animals express friendliness; on the other hand, it also shows that the cat believes your home is very safe, so it can bring back its prey. When a still-warm corpse of a mouse or sparrow appears in front of you, I believe many female cat owners will be stunned on the spot, and male cat owners probably won’t look any better. However, cats absolutely do not intend to gross out their owners; this act is their way of showing love.

　　1. Hunting is a cat’s nature

　　From the common ancestor of cats and dogs 60 million years ago, the small ancient cat (miacid), to today’s lions, tigers, and house cats, felines have always stuck to a carnivorous diet without compromise. They disdain omnivory. The sports system of various cats always develops toward running faster, walking more quietly, and biting more lethally, and their digestive system has always been meat-exclusive. Regardless of whether cats are full or not, hunting is purely their instinct. Sometimes cats will pounce from corners and grab people’s ankles, chase any moving fluffy thing fiercely, and stare out the window at birds for hours without blinking. These are all manifestations of their predatory instincts. When they really catch prey... the scene is too bloody and violent to describe.

　　2. Proves the cat’s love for you

　　When a cat brings prey home and places it in front of you, it is actually proof of its deep affection for you. This is because the cat is showing off its hunting ability and sharing its victory with you. At the same time, bringing prey home also indicates it thinks the house is very safe and can confidently treat it as its own den. In the wild, the most important thing for animals is food; fighting to the death for food is understandable, and sharing food is the best expression of friendliness. Imagine the scene of a mother cat bringing food back to her kittens—that is so warm and touching.

　　3. This behavior needs correction

　　Although cats bringing prey home expresses their love for you, this habit is not good for either the cat or the humans. The cat might unfortunately catch a mouse that has eaten poison bait, and people might get a big scare. Furthermore, outdoor small animals might carry parasites or harmful germs. Therefore, it is necessary to find ways to stop this behavior. Simply throwing away the cat’s offered trophy is not advisable, as the cat will think you dislike its prey and might bring back even bigger catches next time, or possibly live ones. So when throwing it away, you should do it while the cat is turned away and throw it far away. Putting a small bell on the cat’s collar is very effective because it stops the cat from catching prey. Also, often playing with the cat and giving it several fluffy mouse-like toys helps to vent its abundant energy and enjoy the thrill of hunting. Having two cats also helps solve the problem. Lastly, if you don’t want the trouble, simply close the door so the cat can’t go outside (but remember to play with it regularly).