Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Cat could've killed turkey chick, daughter is upset

51 replies

ConcernedMom123 · 30/12/2022 01:54

Hi, we have an outdoor cat, and lately, he's been throwing up an awful lot. Today, I noticed some feathers in his vomit, and they could've been from a brush turkey chick, based on the colour.

I ended up having to tell my daughter, as she asked about the vomiting, and she's really angry with the cat. We don't know if the turkey in question was alive or dead, and she says she would've been OK if it was already dead.

She's also upset because it was a cat that killed the brush turkey, she said if something like a bird of prey or snake killed it, she would've been OK as they're wild animals and don't have other options.

I then proceeded to ask her what the difference was, to her, between him killing a mouse/rat and him killing a turkey chick. She told me it's because mice/rats are "dirty", and "carry diseases".

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Pinkbonbon · 30/12/2022 05:06

Also, just a thought but, if its not special vegan cat food then the cat is still eating animals that are killed for it. Even if it doesn't hunt them.

PayPennies · 30/12/2022 05:14

Waiting to know the age or for the thread deletion message

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/12/2022 05:15

momonpurpose · 30/12/2022 04:59

Seems like a fake thread....

It REALLY does.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General parenting
thunderstruckk · 30/12/2022 05:19

ConcernedMom123 · 30/12/2022 04:49

The game of "tug of mouse" involves pulling an (already dead) mouse away from the cat, before relenting and letting him eat it.

That's a bit sadistic for a vegan tbh!! Surely all animals are equal? I can't believe she's okay with some animals being killed and eaten but not others. That's where you'll have to step in OP, if she's happy to wrestle with a dead mouse for a game she really needs to get over the idea the cat might fancy a different main course. It's illogical otherwise!

Outtasteamandluck · 30/12/2022 05:21

How old is your daughter ?

PortiasBiscuit · 30/12/2022 06:49

I have pet rats, they are intelligent, affectionate creatures. I realise rodents in the wrong place are an issue that needs to be dealt with, but a life is a life.
There is only one major infestation on this planet!

BoobsOnTheMoon · 30/12/2022 06:53

ConcernedMom123 · 30/12/2022 04:43

@Pinkbonbon Her argument is that humans, being omnivores, are not required to eat meat, and that being that the cat in question is domestic, is well-fed and doesn't need to hunt.

Someone needs to tell the cat that Wink

LynetteScavo · 30/12/2022 07:50

I think you should come in from the sun, OP.

MN please don't delete this batshit thread- it's the best amusement I've had in 24 hours! Grin

gamerchick · 30/12/2022 07:54

momonpurpose · 30/12/2022 04:59

Seems like a fake thread....

Yeah a stealthy meat is murder bollocks. Still it's nearly Jan so to be expected.

Playing with a dead mouse in this 'game' is far grosser than a cat catching it in the first place though.

tenbob · 30/12/2022 07:54

It sounds like there are big gaps in her verbal reasoning skills to have such a patchy approach to a vegan lifestyle.

Maybe you could get her some good ‘introduction to philosophy’ type books to help her get a better framework around beliefs?

WunWun · 30/12/2022 07:57

What is the question?

Catoneverychair · 30/12/2022 08:00

Cats hunt for the fun of it. That's why indoors cats have toys to chase etc. It's an instinct. Larger domestic cats can eat rats and baby rabbits. I know lots of people feed whole prey, they play with the food before eating it, throwing it around and chucking it everywhere.

LynetteScavo · 30/12/2022 08:05

Catoneverychair · 30/12/2022 08:00

Cats hunt for the fun of it. That's why indoors cats have toys to chase etc. It's an instinct. Larger domestic cats can eat rats and baby rabbits. I know lots of people feed whole prey, they play with the food before eating it, throwing it around and chucking it everywhere.

You seriously know people who feed cats live prey? WTAF?!

tenbob · 30/12/2022 08:11

LynetteScavo · 30/12/2022 08:05

You seriously know people who feed cats live prey? WTAF?!

Show quote history

She said ‘whole prey’, not live prey

Theunamedcat · 30/12/2022 08:15

Cats cannot be vegan ffs 🙄

A mouse is no less entitled to a right to life than a chick or any other cute fluffy bird

Catoneverychair · 30/12/2022 08:38

@LynetteScavo Please read properly.

TerfOnATrain · 30/12/2022 08:43

ConcernedMom123 · 30/12/2022 04:49

The game of "tug of mouse" involves pulling an (already dead) mouse away from the cat, before relenting and letting him eat it.

So encouraging it’s hunting and killing instinct?

TellMeWhere · 30/12/2022 08:49

This thread is bizarre.

Cats are predators. They kill animals. Just because people have domesticated them and feed them out of bowls, doesn't stop their insticts. Why would you be scouting around researching feathers so you could add further upset by identifying the victim? If you're in close proximity to turkey chicks(?!) I'd assume you live rurally? In which case your child should be better acquainted with the food chain.

Accepting mice as collateral and "playing" with them is somewhat sadistic and not something I'd allow any child of mine to do. Very odd past time for a vegan Confused

Lessoftheold · 30/12/2022 08:52

I don't know any vegans who keep pets, never mind play 'tug of mouse' with them 🤔

LynetteScavo · 30/12/2022 08:53

@Catoneverychair -sorry for not ready properly, I'm poorly and tired.

So lots of people feed whole prey to cats?

I'm still very surprised and a bit grossed out by this. ConfusedShockGrin It's not something I've ever heard of!

Mueslikid · 30/12/2022 08:55

This thread is very strange.

I would say that it’s a good lesson to your daughter that she doesn’t get to control what others choose to eat, cats or humans.

Yaslana · 30/12/2022 08:57

ConcernedMom123 · 30/12/2022 04:49

The game of "tug of mouse" involves pulling an (already dead) mouse away from the cat, before relenting and letting him eat it.

Why the fuck would you do that???

Mabelface · 30/12/2022 09:23

Tell her you'll have a word with the cat about not killing turkey chicks. Worm the cat to help stop the vomiting, and vets if that doesn't work.

Smellywellyhoo · 30/12/2022 09:29

A cat doesn't make a moral distinction between its prey- it's a natural hunter and carnivore. It acts purely on instinct. If that doesn't align with her morals, you'll have to rehome or keep it indoors. A cat simply isn't capable of the level of ethically reasoning that she is talking about.

SteveHarringtonsChestHair · 30/12/2022 09:39

A cat simply isn't capable of the level of ethically reasoning that she is talking about.

and neither is the DD given the sketchy attitude to mice! She needs to get a fucking grip. Cats are bastards. Cute fluffy adorable little bastards.

Swipe left for the next trending thread