Cat owners know that, despite being domesticated, felines still express hunting instincts inherited from their ancestors. Whether it's hunting insects around the house, hiding their droppings or scratching objects to mark their territory, the hunting instinct manifests itself daily in cat behavior. There are many curiosities about this feline habit, which should not be overlooked.repudiated or punished, but rather redirected to more suitable play and objects. Want to understand more of the nuances of the hunting cat? The Paws of the House has put together some information to help you with that!

If your hunting cat has already presented you with some prey, feel special

One of the most intriguing feline behaviors is the "little gifts" that some cats bring to their owners. He can either bring you a leaf or a prey that he has hunted, such as cockroaches, beetles and geckos (to the despair of the owners). This is normal in cats that have the keenest hunting instinct, but there is a "cute" explanation behind it that will even make you relieve it: this happens because theCats are animals that like to share what they have earned with their family.

When a cat brings dead or even live animals to the guardian, it means that he considers him a member of the family. This behavior has little to do with hunger, it is simply instinct. The cat's mind stimulates him to do this regardless of whether he is hungry or not. Sometimes the "prey" that the hunting cat brings to the guardian is not even something edible, such as garbage and small objects.So don't be alarmed if your kitten comes to you with something unusual, he's just saying in his own way that he loves you.

How to redirect the cat's hunting instinct?

The hunting instinct is a cat behavior that should not be repressed. If it is too uncomfortable, it should be redirected to games and toys. Little toys that make the cat chase an object are great for stimulating the natural instinct. Rope mouse, laser and feather wands are great toys for instinctive cats.

It is worth noting that cats need mental stimulation. If there is nothing to hunt or chase, they may start looking for something to supply the "hunt". Therefore, do not stop playing with your cat and invest in toys that do this stimulation. Cats that exercise more these games are less likely to attack other pets or even people in the house. In addition,If you have a pet that has more of the characteristics of a lazy cat than a hunting cat, don't worry! Your kitty may just not have this very keen instinct.

Watch out for your hunting cat's "laps"

Contrary to what many people think, the famous "laps" are an extremely harmful cat behavior. In addition to the danger of being run over, poisoning and fights, when leaving the house the cat is more likely to contract serious diseases such as FeLV and FIV. That is why indoor breeding is a way to protect the health and well-being of felines, as it increases their life expectancy.

Going outside and returning with dead or even live animals as gifts can be much more uncomfortable for the guardian and this habit can even harm the native fauna of the place. The first thing you should do is prevent your cat from running away, getting him used to living indoors from an early age. The protective screen on the windows is a great way to prevent the laps. The castration of thecat is also another effective way, as naturally the cat will not need to go out to mate.