cats and birds

squiggle37

Hiya this has prob been asked before so sorry

My cat just brought a live bird (medium sized) in house dont know who was more frightened me or the cat she caught it again in house than ran outside, she has only ever brought me one tiny bird before that was dead then its mostly moths and dragonflies she brings in which i can cope with.

What do i do with animals if she brings me anything else thats still alive, should i try taking it off her or just let her play with the bird till she kills it.

I think im going to have to get collars with bells on for both my cats, other one cant catch owt she too slow.

Thanks

daphne_descends

Of course don't let her play with them! That's just cruel.

Tell her off sternly and cover the bird with a towel for a bit, it will be in shock and very likely to die. Leave it under the towel for about half an hour, and then move it to somewhere dark and safe in your garden - preferably keeping your cat in for an hour or two. Make it very clear that you are not impressed with her gift or you are encouraging her.

Definitely get collars with bells but stock up as they will lose them!

We've got two cats who are proud hunters but the more unimpressed we seem with their catches the less we get... touch wood.

squiggle37

thanks will do that next time just wasnt sure.

Which collars are the best to get for them??
thanks

geri1965_2

This is one of the downsides of owning a cat unfortunately.

One of mine threw up a half digested mouse the other day - lovely! I am very squeamish about this kind of thing and usually freak out and get my OH to deal with it.

The worst thing was when one of them bought in a bat. Luckily it escaped and flew to the top of the curtains, and we managed to release it outside the next day, seemingly unharmed.

squiggle37

thanks summat to look forward too...NOT LOL

Had the cats just over 2 years i cant complain so far about what they have brought me home.

addictedtolush

Oooh I had this the other day with my cat. Heard a commotion at the front door and saw him run off with a bird in his mouth, tried to catch him but hes too quick for me. About an hour later he came back with it as I heard it chirping at the front door. I sent dp out to put the poor bird out of its misery but he shouted out the bird seemed fine just shocked. So we got the bird, put it in a box overnight with water (and of course air holes), really didnt think it would survive as it was only young and my cat had it for over an hour. Came down the next morning to the bird (we named bella) chirping away and we let her go where she flew off onto a roof and we see her regulary. Sorry for my random post just wanted to add my piece and say you are not alone. If I see my cat with some random animal I try my best to rescue it and would never intentionally let an animal suffer. Thankfully he has only bought a bird/shrew back 3 times in 2 years.

strawberryfluff

geri1965 wrote: »

The worst thing was when one of them bought in a bat. Luckily it escaped and flew to the top of the curtains, and we managed to release it outside the next day, seemingly unharmed.

Do be careful when cats bring in bats - don't touch the bat without protection. Although Britain is rabies free, bats carry a similar virus. Anyone who suffers a bat bite should seek rabies vaccine. (I'm a tropical disease nurse).

I believe cats bring 'presents' for you as a sign of respect and affection. So although it goes against all my instincts I've found praising a cat is the best way of getting it to let go of the unfortunate bird/mouse or whatever. Scolding a cats has just made it more determined to keep hold.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I always found that 9 out of 10 times I tried to save a poor bird or mouse or whatever fom my cat it would die anyway,and my cat would just go straight back out and catch something else to make up for the one I had taken from it.I adore animals but I always felt it was better to sacrifice the one he had in his mouth than to let him go round killing another one because he had'nt satisfied his hunting needs.If he brought something in I would shoo him outside again,letting him know he was'nt allowed in with it.
Is it just my cat or does anybody else have a cat who only eats the heads off whatever it catches.It doesnt matter what it is bird,mouse frog anything realy but you'll find the headless body by the back door.

geri1965_2

strawberryfluff wrote: »

Do be careful when cats bring in bats - don't touch the bat without protection. Although Britain is rabies free, bats carry a similar virus. Anyone who suffers a bat bite should seek rabies vaccine. (I'm a tropical disease nurse).

Believe me, there is no chance that I would ever touch a bat! I couldn't even stay in the room and I had to get a friend to remove it.