Strange new hunting behaviour - why???

[emsyj]

I'm hoping someone might be able to shed light on why my cat's behaviour has suddenly changed .

For the sake of background and completeness, he's a rescue cat and we have had him nearly 8 years. He was 3 years old (at a rough guess by the rescue centre) when we got him, so about 11 now. He was a full tom then and was neutered immediately before we took him. Since then he has been a lovely cuddly bear of a cat and very sweet natured. We've moved house with him several times which has never been a major problem, and we've been in this house for 3 years now. We have a DD who is 2, so that's not new, I can't think of any other changes or traumatic events that have happened to trigger this.

Anyway, he has suddenly taken to killing birds. Over the last 48 hours he has brought home a fledgling, two fully grown birds (sparrow size) and this morning a pigeon . The pigeon was still alive but with damaged wings, DH called the RSPCA who told him to take it to the vet where it will either be treated or put down - but most likely put down as it is quite injured . DH just came in to say that cat has also taken down a whole blackbirds' nest, but no sign of any of the birds.

He's obviously done stalking/hunting stuff before, but less and less over the years as he gets older and more fond of snoozing all day. This is totally new and very strange.

What has caused this and what can I do - any ideas?? Any help gratefully received.

I'm not really sure there is anything you can do about it, its in a cat nature to stalk and hunt. It's not something I would be worried about, but I know its horribly distressing when they bring in something half dead, you feel helpless towards the bird/mouse. Our male black cat does this all the time, and we tell him off, but he takes no notice. People often say its the cat bringing you home a 'gift' to feed the family.

Is he eating what he kills?

Put a couple of bells on his collar and if possible keep him in during the day.

He doesn't wear a collar - never has done. I can't imagine him tolerating one now!

No, he doesn't eat them - just leaves them at the door (he left the injured pigeon in the driveway). I know this is natural cat behaviour, I just can't understand why he's suddenly started up with it at age 11 when he's never really done it before (well, he did once bring home a BBQ chicken leg which we assume he stole from a bin....) I wondered if something might have triggered this sudden urge to kill kill kill.

I'm not sure it makes much of a difference keeping them in during the day. when ours has occasionally been out at night (we usually keep him in) he still brings back birds and worse, mice!

Good idea about the bells.

Has the bird population increased around your area? He might not be able to contain himself if there are a lot of new birds around.

There are lots of young fledglings around and they are easy pickings, pigeons are mating and easily distracted, you see a lot squashed on the road at the moment.

Has someone put up a bird table that is easily accessable to cats or with lots of ground cover for him to hide in?

Hmm, I don't know, I will peer out of the top floor window and see if there are any bird tables nearby! Interesting suggestion, hadn't thought of that.

I don't know if the local population of birds has increased - where we live is about 20 metres from the sea and our road backs onto sand dunes where there might be some wildlife but I can't think of any reason why it would have increased.

I initially thought he had picked the pigeon up and that another animal had killed it, it was huge - perhaps it was injured before he got it and he just brought it home? ((sigh)) I suppose we'll have to just hope that he gets bored with the hunting thing - and I will get him some more 'treat' type food (will that help or make it worse?? - Less motivation to hunt as lots of treats at home vs. 'here's my reward for all my gifts' )