Presents from cats

[WitchWay]

Occasionally, if we have been really good, we are left small furry gifts by the back door of the house. We admire them & later discretely dispose of them so as not to hurt the cats' feelings

Recently, larger gifts rats have been left near the back door of DH's car! He does spend quite a lot of time in it

[cozietoesie]

Sounds as if the cat thinks that DH is lacking in training.

[WitchWay]

Yes, most likely! I have offered to cook them for him

[NeuNewNouveau]

I was just about to post asking for any tips on reducing the number of presents from cats.

We are averaging 5 a week currently, normally voles with the odd bird in the mix. We think girlcat is the main killer bit unfortunately she usually brings them in alive, plays with them in the dining room for a while then kills later.

Obviously when we can, we save the poor thing and free it but more often than not it ends in death with blood and/or feathers all over the downstairs. For example went downstairs to find feathers everywhere, so cleaned those up but haven't yet found the body. That will be a joy for later...

Boycat also brings in the odd vole but seems to bring them in dead and a lot less often than girlcat.

Any idea how to stop this? They both have bells on their collars and are fed enough, in fact both slightly on the tubby side.

Help please!

[NeuNewNouveau]

Sorry OP, just realised I have totally diverted your thread. Apologies.

[cozietoesie]

The Lodger, in the early days of our relationship, used to bring us items which he had clearly thieved from nearby houses - or in the case of the spare ribs, from the nearby Chinese restaurant's bins. (Chops, bits of meat etc.) Once he'd formally moved in (and relinquished his pom poms etc) he remained a ferocious hunter of small mammals (I would see him at it in the longer grass) but never brought his kills inside.

[WitchWay]

No problem NeuNew

Mine have bells which seems to dramatically reduce the bird count to one or two between them every few months, but we have a steady stream of mice, voles & shrews, the odd mole, an occasional rabbit & now these rats! Perhaps small furry creatures are either deaf or stupid!

[WitchWay]

They eat most of what they catch, usually very ostentatiously in view of the kitchen window, sometimes leaving the gallbladder & more often just the face, neatly sheared off in front of the ears - nice!

[NeuNewNouveau]

Bells aren't stopping her sadly. Still haven't found the body for this mornings bird so not looking forward to that. Occasionally they do eat it and just leave an internal organ bit normally we get the whole body, or occasionally a decapitated body with head next to it.

Thank goodness they are cute but this is a right pain! They are only one so we have many more years of this

[WitchWay]

Perhaps you ought to feed her less NeuNew - at least then she would quickly despatch & eat them. Well-fed cats hunt for fun & play with their prey lovely

[WitchWay]

Love the side salad!