Advice please

[littlemissM92]

So we have an adorable little kitty who is 10months recently (last fortnight ) he has been off his food and acting abit odd ?! Can't quite put my finger on it but then in the last week he has brought In a bird in his mouth then the next day had half eaten one and left feathers all over the kitchen. Firstly I realise cats are hunters but I really hate him killing things and even more so bringing them in the house I'm v squeamish!

Are my only options a collar with a bell in the hope said birds would hear him and bugger off or locking the cat flap so he stays out at night and can't bring them in??

He was also sick a couple days ago and I presume it must be eating all the dead things ?! He is up to date
With flea and wormer and wasn't sure whether to take him to the vets ?

Although one of the incidents he just strolled in with it mid afternoon

Advise please I'm dreading the next time

I'm afraid that if you've got a hunter there's not much you can do about it. Some people suggest keeping them in at dusk and dawn but I don't think it makes much difference. And neither does a bell, they soon learn to hunt with one. Sorry .

I think you might just have to get used to it. And please don't shut her outside at night.

Regular worming and a stiff upper lip.........

Oh no :( I really thought there would be some clever option I had bypassed ! He is out from 11- 5am ish every night anyway?

It was an absolute massacre in the kitchen yesterday morning and main reason I really worry its making him ill

Please avoid using a collar, except maybe a quick release one (which most learn to get off anyway) - there have been some horrible accidents involving damaged or even killed cats due to collars getting caught.

He will be off his food because he is supplementing it with his kills . Part and parcel of being a cat owner I'm afraid unless they are indoor cats. As Bertrand said, please don't lock him out at night or at any time; lock in at certain times maybe to reduce the number of generous gifts he brings in for you!

Tried a collar a few months back he got it off 3 times in the house. What about putting wind chimes in the garden would that put birds off or a daft idea? I've got him in the vets tomorrow he just feels like he's lost weight although he was the runt he will never be big he still looks so kitten like which is lovely just want to check he's healthy

Well he has 2 cat flaps one in back door which goes into a huge garage and then into utilty room into house so I may just lock the utility one over night so atleast any dead things stay in the garage ?!

Birds are the worst, they are so messy! It's worse this time of year I think as there are a lot of fledglings about and they are easier to catch.
Unfortunately, I'm not convinced curfews or bells make a difference either.
I fully sympathise as I have a serial killer too.

It won't be making him ill- it's what cats are designed to eat!

As little long as he's wormed it won't be doing him any harm. As Bertrand said it's his natural diet and probably better for him than cat food anyway. I wouldn't worry about him being off his food, he's probably eating plenty of birds and mice. If you have a hunter the only real way to stop then is to keep them in, they quickly learn to get around a bell and I wouldn't be keen on putting a collar on an active, outdoorsy cat in case he got it caught on something.

our littlest is a stone-cold killer. she brings me tiny shrews and mice and trades them for dreamies and the little corpses go in the bin.

unlike Fatty Fat the boy who leaves furry, bloodstained scraps of unknown things in corners.

eldest girl has never caught a thing.

the hunters occasionally barf but that's just cats.

all of ours are in at night. we have a new arrival this week from the rspca and i am wondering what his killer instinct is like!

cats, innit. don't leave him outside at night though.

Would you advise to lock him in at night? (Even though I know I said one incident he brought it in mid afternoon! )

Personally I think cats should always be kept in at night, regardless of whether they are hunters, to keep them safe.

Can we have a picture please?

Of the cat obviously, not his latest kill!

No, don't keep him in. He's a cat!

If he's used to going out at night he may not like being kept in. Cats are safer kept in at night but if he is used to being out it may not be practical for you.

Oh gosh it's hard to know what to do! He's currently fast asleep on my bed and he always is at this time probs because he knows I won't boot him out when he's fast asleep and snuggled up

I wasn't suggesting keeping him in all the time! I just don't agree with cats being let out at night - there's more chance of accidents, most (although not all) hunt at night and I'm also concerned about the UK cat killer as the piece of shit has struck several times near me.

Oh and what a gorgeous boy!

Oh gosh we live in a tiny place quiet cut de sac literally no cars at night I don't worry about that side of things! I think If or when he does it again I'll lock utilty door so he has utilty room where he has a v comfy cat bed food water and the garage but can't get in house x

Ours are kept in overnight, and it does help to an extent.
The older ones who were always let out used to bring in presents galore overnight! Whereas we still get several during the day, but nowhere near as many.

Unfortunately it seems to be more birds during the day, and mice (and frogs!) at night. And one occasion where our littlest beastie "caught" a freshly barbecued pork chop.

As Pps have said, as long as they're up to date with wormers, and not catching things that will bite back they'll be fine.

That made me laugh!

I keep my two in at night. Safer for them too. Plus they are active at dawn and dusk not all night