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Written by Wendy Christensen
Q: Can you please advise? Our male, neutered, 3 year old cat, has just recently (last 6 weeks) been hunting, killing and eating birds. It has never behaved like this before. But what is worst on 3 occasions, it has crapped bits of bird all over the floor indoors, not in it's litter, which previous it always used.
We have a baby due in October and would like any help to stop this behavior.
A: Cats are predators -- hunters. Hunting and killing is just what they DO! It's what defines their essential natures. I suspect your cat has been hunting, killing and eating birds far longer than the last 6 weeks -- if he's been allowed outdoors, that is. The change seems to be that now he's making you more aware of this very natural behavior. The question is --- Why?
You say you have a baby on the way (Congratulations, BTW!) It might be possible that the behavior of the humans in your household towards your cat has changed -- perhaps very subtly -- since you discovered the good news. Cats are VERY sensitive to the concerns and mental states of "their" humans. He may be puzzled and confused by this "new focus" in your household. He may feel that he is no longer getting enough attention.
An even stronger possibility is new scents in the house. A pregnant woman's hormone mix changes rather dramatically when she's expecting. Cats are VERY sensitive to odors, and to changes in their humans' "personal scent signatures." The changes might be quite puzzling to him, and his behavior might reflect this. To a cat, ANY change in familiar scents, environment, or routines is quite distressing. Cats a truly creatures of habit. He might be showing his distress by not using his litter box as he has always done before.
As obligate carnivores, cats have very short digestive tracts -- much shorter than dogs' or humans'. It's quite normal for cats to consume entire prey animals and then regurgitate some parts. You may not have seen this behavior, or been aware of it, since he likely has always done it outdoors. Are you sure that the "bits of bird" you saw were "crapped," not regurgitated? That is, are you assuming this, or did you actually catch him in the act?
You ask how to prevent this kind of behavior in the future? There is one, surefire way: Treat your cat to an indoors-only lifestyle. Not only will he be much cleaner, safer and healthier, he'll likely live much longer. I recommend my book, "The HSUS Complete Guide to Cat Care" (now in paperback) for lots of reasons why cats should not be allowed outdoors unescorted, as well as lots of tips for "bringing your cat in from the cold" and enhancing your environment to insure he has everything he needs.
Though cats are naturally hunters, you may be surprised to learn that they do NOT need to actually kill live prey to gratify their hunting urges. Vigorous interactive play, with the cat "killing" a feather lure or other toy, can satisfy this need in your cat.
Please do consider bringing your cat indoors to stay. At the same time, consider making your cat more fully part of your family group as you await your baby. Again, my book has lots of tips on how to do this. Good luck!
Herding Cats at Home - June 2004 1
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