Cat bringing me presents!

[PlantsAndFossils]

Hello all

Just looking for support or thoughts from other cat parents! I realise I signed up for it so can't complain! (My 2 previous girl cats were not hunters)

I adopted a 3 year old male former stray 3 months ago. Neutered just before I got him. Think he gets in fights as has cuts on ears/round neck. He's quite a small boy but athletic.

He goes outside via the kitchen door which leads directly into the back garden. During the day and in evening. Comes in for the night about 11pm. So no catflap, I just open/close the door. Or leave it open if sunny (albeit will be changing that given today's experience!)

Friday night late - found dead mutilated bird outside back door
Sun 9am - same again, almost identical bird. Possibly been there all night.
Sun 10am - I left the back door open...then found him playing with a dead rat in my hallway!

So nothing for 3 months and then 3 presents in 3 days! What's going on?!

I am now using a litter picker stick to pick up the corpses, bag and bin.

I can't imagine he would take kindly to being kept inside, esp as he was a stray and I guess it's my responsibility to deal with it, not curtail his life because of any squeamishness. But any thoughts welcome!

Thanks

A bell on his collar may help.

Thanks. I'm slightly concerned re the safety aspect of collars (even the safety ones) and also feel like it's a bit mean to foil him when he's just doing his natural behaviour. I just wish he wouldn't bring it inside!

When my cat attempted this( but alive!) I started checking through the window before i let her in the door.
she won’t wear a collar- any attempts she manages to remove them so being vigilant on my part helps.
she brings in moths nowadays so not so bad.

When my cat is out we shut the utility door and do a gentle door open before letting him in. Thankfully he mostly leaves his prey (or remnants) on the patio. So far this week

He is peak and prime age for hunting.
You could try feeding him more protein and playing with him - to reduce his urge to hunt. It will (probably) reduce over the winter when there's less about to catch.

Thanks @Beamur I do play with him in the evening but like some parents of small humans, imaginative play is not my strong suit so I find 10 mins to be about my max! He gets solely high quality wet food so he can't possibly have any complaints about his diet!

@Rustymoo that's a good idea. Do a sort of airlock prison system where the door behind me is closed before I open the front/back door so they prey doesn't get into the main part of the house. What a faff mind you!

I know what you mean, it's not exactly fun to swish a feather about 😂 My cats could be persuaded to play with a sort of makeshift den. I had a variety of boxes, packing paper, bits of fabric and if I left them (2 kittens) alone, would construct them a palace of tunnels and hidey holes.
I saw some simple enrichment tips online - one was to get a fairly small box and fill it with empty toilet (ends up) and sprinkle some treats into it.
Cats are very patient hunters and having to seek out food is a good brain work out.

He’s predominantly an outdoor cat. He gets fed a mix of wet and dry food. As for playing with him, he’s not that interested, though will play for a few minutes then out he goes. It’s almost like he’s honing his skills! We live fairly rural backing on to fields so has a lovely playground which is obviously more interesting.