All the people who have had a cat, or at least who have had direct contact with an animal of this species, we know that these animals are very independent, curious and funny. However, at times we can have problems with him always trying to hunt some type of animal, be it a bird, a cockroach, or any other animal smaller than him.
It is for this reason, that today we want to teach you, how to do so that your kitten can control himself with this hunting activity and that he can also control his appetite, since on many occasions this is the reason why he lets his hunting instinct emerge and start chasing other animals.
The hunting instinct of the cat
Before entering the matter, it is important first to know and understand the animal that we have decided to adopt. The cat is a feline animal; in fact, shares 95,6% of its DNA with the Siberian tiger according to a study of the 'Nature Communications' of which the newspaper echoed'The Razón'.
Why am I saying this? Well, the reason is the following: felines are predators, they are hunters by nature. Since they began their evolution, some 34 million years ago, during the Oligocene, until today, they have been perfecting their hunting techniques, because their body needs animal protein to function. That is why they have sharp nails, strong teeth, and the extraordinary ability to get as close to their prey as possible without making the slightest noise.
At what age do cats start hunting?
El felis catus, the cat, our friend and companion, From the time he is a cute and sweet furball of two months (approximately) until his last days of life, he will do what he can to be successful during his hunts. This means that you will take every opportunity to catch… even a fly.
Can you prevent a cat from hunting?
No. This is like trying to get a sheep to stop eating grass for example. It is impossible. We must know that cats have an innate hunting instinct; They carry it inscribed in their blood, specifically in their genes, and that is not going to change unless evolution itself wants it. What can be done is to prevent it from hunting live animals by keeping it indoors and giving it a high-quality meat-rich meal.
Food will be one of the easiest things to control if we do not let it live outside, since fortunately there are many really appropriate feed for them, without cereals, such as Applaws, taste of the wild o Cat's Health Gourmet among others, and we can even give you homemade and natural food - without bones or bones, and by boiling the meat and fish beforehand - if we want to give you the opportunity to eat more or less as you would in the wild.
What happens if you go out on the street?
The ideal is not to let it go out, and much less if we live in a city or a medium or large town. It would only be fine if we are in the countryside, or on the outskirts of a small town that is usually surrounded by nature. It could also go out if we have a fenced plot, with the sides very well protected with dense canopy plants (such as common cypress trees, for example).
In any case, Once the cat leaves the house, all its instincts will be awakened, the hunter included. There are many more visual and olfactory stimuli outside than inside, and therefore you will enjoy much more. But that could be a problem for wildlife: this furry is, unfortunately, classified as an invasive species since it is reducing the populations, especially of native birds.
The positive part is that, thanks to this feline, we will not have (or would not have) to worry about rats or mice, and that with some basic control measures (castration, vaccination and optimal care), its population is prevented from increasing rapidly. , getting him healthy, well fed and happy. And so, it is important that our cat has eaten BEFORE going out; because with a full stomach it will be more difficult to catch something.
What to do to try not to hunt other animals?
I recommend that you do you eat something absolutely delicious, be it boiled fish, or a steak that you have prepared especially for him, so that it is full and does not cause him to eat or hunt anything else. You can also choose to scold him when you see him hunting near you. I'm not saying go overboard with scolding, you just have to say a strong and energetic NO, and offer something in return (food).
Another highly recommended option is play with him. Actually you have to dedicate time to games every day, whether or not you go out on the street, but if we do not want you to hunt to tire you, it will give you more reasons to spend your time outside just taking a walk. Today there are many types of cat toysBut if you have aluminum foil cut a piece and make a small ball (about the size of a golf ball), and then throw it on the ground so that you have to go get it. You will love it, because being light and small you can take it and lift it up into the air, as if it were prey.
Play with him until you see that he is tired, something that will happen when you see him start panting or lie on the ground. This can happen in 20 minutes, or in 40 minutes. Each cat is different, and depending on whether it is young or energetic it will tire sooner or later. My cat Bug (my niece named him, although it comes in handy) is an animal that enjoys playing a lot, and needs his two or three daily sessions of 30 to 40 minutes to spend the rest of the day well; On the other hand, Sasha with one or two sessions of about 30 minutes in the evening is enough. You know your cat, dedicate the time it needs to discharge all its energy.
How to prevent my cat from bringing mice or other animals?
The cat that brings mice or other animals into your home is a cat that cares about its family. Yes Yes, he doesn't want us to go hungry. This behavior is what the mother cat has with her young, and that is later reproduced by them if they are lucky enough to live with people who really adore these cats and take care of them with affection.
But of course, it is not pleasant to see that. What we can do is be patient, and NOT yell at him or get angry with him under any circumstances. If we follow the advice given previously (make sure he eats before going out, play with him) little by little it is possible that he will stop bringing prey.
We hope it has been useful to you 🙂.
my 2 previous cats were not interested in hunting, so the birds come down to feed without fear, but I just adopted an abandoned kitten, approximately 4 to months old, and he has been trying to hunt, and now I fear for the life of visiting birds. I will try to correct it, hope it works !!
Someone who can help me ... today my cat brought a kitten I do not know if it is his pp or not and he did it. He took it off because he was hurting him and if he hurt his head, I put the kitten in a transporter but my cat I want to take it out and I don't know what to do.?
Hi Katy.
How is the kitten? If your cat does not want it, and if it hurt it, it is clear that it did not, I recommend taking the kitten to the vet and finding a family for him.
Greetings.