Almost every cat owner has been there – you open the door for your feline, who is holding a dead mouse by the tail. Why?
Cats, first and foremost, are hunters and will venture out far and wide in search of prey to bring home. While the distance that your furry friend travels is reason enough to invest in a cat name tag, the mischief that they get into can be unprecedented.
When a dead rodent, or even a live one, has been brought back to the home, some think of this as the cat bringing a present back for their owner. Although this is a nice way to look at it, it is not completely true.
Hunting
As hunters, it is the cat’s instinct to go out and hunt for its meal, even though you have already saved them the bother by filling their bowl for them. Cats possess a digestive system which allows them to eat raw meat, despite being domesticated over 10,000 years ago.
Spayed female cats are the most likely felines to come back with a surprise as it is their instinct to bring food back for their family. As they are unable to have kittens of their own they are bringing dead mice home to teach you how to hunt, believe it or not.
Nurturing
Cats with kittens bring back what they have caught to show their offspring how to take care of themselves. First, the mother brings back dead prey to feed their young, and then move on to bringing back live prey for the kittens to learn how to kill.
Eventually, the mother then takes her young out on the hunt to teach them how to catch and kill their prey, thus becoming self-sufficient.
Instinct
Cats are hunters, and they will always be hunters. This means that no number of attempts will stop your cat from bringing home dead mice. Regardless of how domesticated your feline is, cat tags only mean that your pet has an owner, not that they cease being what they have been since the dawn of time.
Why Cats Hunt Prey
1. Instinctive Nature
Cats descended from wild hunters. Their predatory instincts remain strong—they are programmed to stalk, catch, and pounce even when domestic life relieves survival needs.
2. Mental and Physical Stimulation
Hunting engages the brain and body. Chasing movement, pausing to pounce, and the “reveal” of discovery provide cognitive challenges and aerobic activity.
3. Emotional Satisfaction
Successfully catching prey—that might be a toy or real critter—triggers a sense of reward and fulfilment, similar to a game win, boosting confidence.
4. Practice for Skill Retention
Even indoor cats benefit from practicing hunting movements. Play recreates those behaviours and keeps reflexes sharp.
5. Control Over Environment
Hunting gives cats a hands-on way to influence their space. Even without food scarcity, the sense of agency is calming and satisfying.
6. Relief of Boredom or Stress
Engaging the hunting instinct can reduce anxiety and stop unwanted behaviour like excessive meowing or carcass bringing.
Encouraging Safe Hunting Alternatives
Interactive Toys: Provide wand toys, lasers, and feather teasers that mimic prey to satisfy chasing drives.
Puzzle Feeders: Use food-dispensing toys that require “hunt and work” to access meals.
Structured Play Times: Set aside daily sessions to help fulfil your cat’s need for stalking and pouncing.
Varied Stimuli: Rotate toys frequently and scatter treats around the home to encourage exploration and “discovery”.
Outdoor Enclosures: Secure catios or supervised outdoor time offer safe ways for cats to practice hunting instincts without harming wildlife.
Final Thought
Hunting is a vital part of a cat’s emotional and physical fitness—not just survival. By providing appropriate outlets for this instinct, you support their wellbeing, reduce stress, and build a stronger bond through shared play.
