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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

How can I discourage presents?

32 replies

JustBoppinAlong · 15/07/2016 14:57

My cat is an outdoor cat. She comes and goes as she pleases.

She had never ever ever brought back a 'gift' until I met my new boyfriend.

She seems to have a thing for him and now when he stays over or even if he's just popped by for a brew, she will go off and hunt and bring him back a present. Which she usually puts in his shoe.

We have had a few birds. But last night was the worst. My boyfriend stayed over. She went out late on and brought back a baby mouse. Which she promptly plonked on his head!!

I'm not sure if there is anything I can do to stop this. As I know it's instinct. But I hate that she is hurting innocent animals and hate them being brought into my house.

I can't keep her as an indoor cat as she just wails at the door. And if anyone goes out she legs in.

I'm prepared for a bashing, but please be kind.

OP posts:

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NarcyCow · 15/07/2016 16:32

LTB. It's the only way.

(The boyfriend, not the cat)

cozietoesie · 15/07/2016 17:49

Beats me.

cozietoesie · 15/07/2016 17:50

Well Yes. There was Narcy's solution.

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/07/2016 18:27

Nothing you can do, I think she likes him though.

NeedACleverNN · 15/07/2016 18:31

Try a large bell on her collar? Might alert the animals she's near.

But yes LTB is the only option

WellWhoKnew · 15/07/2016 18:32

She's trying to tell you she approves of him. Clearly this hasn't always been the case.

JustBoppinAlong · 15/07/2016 19:31

Well I approve of him too. But how do I explain to her that he doesn't see birds and mice as the tasty treat she clearly thinks she is giving?

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cozietoesie · 15/07/2016 19:52

I don't see how you can. It's their relationship after all.

I trust he's having to clear them up though?

Goingtobeawesome · 15/07/2016 19:55

Once she brings home live treats it means she thinks he's ready to learn to hunt...

JustBoppinAlong · 15/07/2016 20:17

What can he do to make her think he doesn't need to learn to hunt?
And don't say get him to bring a mouse in by his mouth. That's just a step too far.

I'm starting to consider locking her in or out when he's here, but that won't fix the problem when he starts being here quite often.

OP posts:

JustBoppinAlong · 15/07/2016 20:29

And yes unfortunately I'm making him clear them up because I go all girly and can't do it. He must like me lots to be removing animals from his shoes!

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cozietoesie · 15/07/2016 20:34

I was only half joking when I said that it was their relationship. Cats relate to different people in different ways - and she clearly feels the need to bring him gifts for some reason. I'd just stay out of it as long as he's prepared to get rid of the evidence.

JustBoppinAlong · 15/07/2016 20:43

But cozie... She brought a baby mouse into my bed! She dropped it almost on his face! I don't want things that move on my bed lol. That just freaks me out.
And I wouldn't mind but he lives close enough that she goes into his garden. She doesn't take him any presents there though. In fact when he's at his house she completely ignores him. The cat world is very strange..

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cozietoesie · 15/07/2016 21:05

He's Top Cat in his own house. I don't think they feel the need to take presents to Top Cats.

sashh · 16/07/2016 11:21

Stay at his then?

WeirdAndPissedOff · 16/07/2016 20:44

Get him to give her a HUGE cuddle when she does it.
It seems like a thank you, and affectionate, but it soon stops ours if they're being overly needy.

Fluffy24 · 16/07/2016 20:46

Stop sending thank you cards

DiamondInTheRuff · 16/07/2016 20:48

Sorry to butt in, I know nothing at all about cats, but how do you know they're presents and not, you know... threats...

Is it some sort of cat language thing?

PolterGoose · 16/07/2016 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DiamondInTheRuff · 16/07/2016 21:06

PolterGoose · 16/07/2016 21:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Karcheer · 16/07/2016 21:15

If it makes you feel better I've had a dead rat and a live vole today.

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tabulahrasa · 16/07/2016 21:20

I never get them...I don't have a cat flap, lol.

The cat goes outside, we just let her in and out, which means she can't bring the dead things in because you spot them before she does.

Karcheer · 16/07/2016 21:50

What do you do at night then?
I think I'd rather mice than cat litter :/

JustBoppinAlong · 16/07/2016 22:14

I was debating locking the cat flap at night. But she does it whatever time of the day if he's here. Plus she would just sit at the cat flap and yowl.

Luckily no presents today. He only came over for an hour after work though and she chose that time to sleep on his leg.

I guess today he's safe... Lol

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