Help - How to stop frequent *presents*

[PalindromemordnilaP]

Please help - any advice welcomed.

Trigger warning - talk of dead animals.

We rescued our cats a year ago as kittens. We initially intended to keep them indoors, but it soon became apparent that they were not happy as indoor only cats.

They're half Bengal, half 'something else'. They're both neutered and have collars with bells (when they haven't removed them). DH and I have both had cats our whole lives so were not naïve about the gifts that they bring in, but these two are such efficient hunters it's difficult to manage.

Today, we've had 2 pigeons, 2 voles and a rabbit. We have at least 3 dead creatures daily including frogs/toads, rodents, birds and rabbits.

Sometimes they're whole, sometimes they seem to skin them and leave their organs lying around.

Please, any suggestions to reduce this.

Oh goodness I'd LOVE two half bengal cats.

Maybe put a stopper on your cat flap to stop them coming inside during prime hunting time?

You can't stop a cat hunting unfortunately, but you can get them used to a routine of when it's acceptable to come in/out of the house.

You didn't say if they're leaving their "gifts" outside or inside but if they're leaving them outside you're lucky. The Bengal is a very dominant breed.

You can keep them in dusk till dawn but a Bengal is going to Bengal.

Mine mellowed at 9.

Keep them in from early evening and don't let them out until the morning.
High protein diet.
Some cats do just have a high hunting drive. Reducing the time they are out and playing with them instead might reduce the urge.

You can get cat-proof fencing (it angles inwards to stop them getting over it and you attach it to your existing fence panels). That way at least they can only hunt in your garden which might reduce it a bit.

You can't, is the quick answer.

That's just what they are bringing home. I'm a neighbour of a half Bengal half something else who has spent >£500 so far on vets bills when the little bugger wanted to fight my cats. I'd prefer a few mice tbh!

As per @Beamur

Keep them in when it's dark
Feed them a high protein grain free diet

But ultimately, you have Bengals. This is what they do.

I have a 1/4 Bengal. I thought I knew what cats were like with the hunting. Oh no. Wow. It’s literally unreal.
I have no advice sadly other than that at 3 he seems to enjoy sleeping a tiny bit more so there is less death…

Thanks for all of the replies.

I obviously should have researched the breed more before we brought them home. Both DH and I have always had cats and just figured 'a cats a cat.'

Funnily enough, they don't really go out much overnight anyway as they like to sleep on our bed overnight.

The two pigeons were caught in broad daylight. As.were the 3 small rodents and 1 bird that I've had today.

Otherwise, the boys are absolutely adored. They're the best family cats. Happy to be with the kids. Actively play with the children in the garden. When it was snowing they were jumping into the sledge and having the kids pull them around the garden. They're clean, affectionate and don't scratch the furniture.

We love them dearly, I just hope they get lazier as they get older.