advice about my cat and her killing habits

Living in the country in the middle of nowhere, it really is no shock to me that our basement is filled with everything from mice to birds to bats to rabbits. Just about every critter small enough to fit through the foundation cracks can be found down there. My two cats are very good hunters and usually successfully kill their prey. My bigger cat, Doodle, is very good about either eating her prey, burrying it outside or just leaving it alone. My kitten Clunker, however, likes to bring her prizes to me- and she leaves them in the same spot every time: on the floor in my closet. I try not to yell at her because I read that can be insulting to her, but how can I get her to NOT bring her little, um, presents to me? I praise them for killing the rodents in the basement, but I just don't want their carcasses in the spot where I get dressed in the morning. Please help!!!

Sincerely,
Newcomer to the board

First off stop praising them for killing. The more you praise the more they will kill and bring you the trophies for your praise. Just quietly dispose of the poor critters and don't make a fuss. Don't raise your voice in either praise or anger. Very soon they will come to understand that this is not something mom enjoys. Also be sure you keep your cats wormed with drontal from your vet. Mice carry tapeworms and you also might just call the county and find out the incidence of rabies in your area. We have bats as well, and sometimes my cats will bring me one, but we haven't had a rabies scare in over 12 years last time I checked.

She's just sharing her kill with you, providing for her family. OK, I know that doesn't help with the gross factor, but in her mind she is doing something wonderful for you.

Perhaps you could train her to put her prizes in a shoebox or something like that? I know someone here did that, which at least made for easy disposal. You could take a box, line it with something (plastic or aluminum wrap, a plastic bag...) so you can just lift the lining out to dispose of the gift. Put the box where she usually leaves you her presents. When she brings you another one, call her to you and let her watch you put the carcass in the box, then praise her for the *wonderful* present. Do this a few times, and she will get the hint to leave the gifts in the box. Once she gets to putting them in the box, you could probably little by little move the box to a less first-thing-in-the-morning place (I mean like an inch a day movement here).

Baby bunnies sometimes sneak in through the little hole which the heat from the dryer goes out. It's sad because we find dead bunnies in there


PS that's a pic of my little "killer".

When we first moved to the country the previous owners asked if we'd keep their older cat because they felt the cross-country move would be too hard on her. We have three stories. The middle floor is surrounded by decking, while the two rooms on the top floor have balconies. One time we found 1/3 of a full grown rabbit, that the cat had not only killed, but managed to carry at least that much of up to the 3rd floor balcony from outside.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, one of the cats we have now decided to bring back a lizard to the laundry room. It was about a foot long. The cats showed no interest in eating it, but moved it around several times. When I finally went to dispose of it, Ginger acted surprised, like, "where did my lizard go?"

Originally posted by laterosenoonval

PS that's a pic of my little "killer".

Click to expand...

Such a dainty and demure "killer" you have. . .what a cutie!

:kitty5:

i saw the pic of your "killer" and started laughing immediatly, here's a pic of my muffin, look familiar??