As for owned cats: Though they have access to food, they still have the instinct to hunt, like Curry’s cat with the bullfrogs. “Cats kill wild animals just for fun,” says Curry, a conservation biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity, who leads the extinction crisis campaign. “Because they’re cats.”
Why do cats play with their prey?
Many people may consider it cruel because they have witnessed cats playing with their prey. But rather than being done maliciously, cats probably exhibit this behavior as a survival strategy.
Although further research is required, there are a number of reasons why playing with prey may be crucial for a cat’s survival.
- First of all, the cat can use it to determine the health of the prey, which reduces the likelihood that they will consume contaminated or poisoned food. A healthy prey will be swift to react and run, while an unhealthy prey will likely be slow and sluggish.
- Second, engaging in play with the prey may lessen the likelihood that it will hurt the cat by wearing it out before it is killed. Wearing it out makes it less likely that they will be the target of a vicious bite if their prey suddenly turns around. Cats typically make the kill bite around the back of their prey’s neck to sever the spinal cord. Studies have indicated that cats play with larger prey for longer periods of time, possibly because it requires more work to exhaust them. Hungry cats also usually play with their prey for shorter periods of time.
If you have a cat that goes outside, you’re probably no stranger to having dead creatures turn up on your doorstep. While some cats may be more adept hunters than others, you may still find yourself wondering about the reasons behind this hunting behaviour.
It’s very possible that dead mice or birds have appeared on your doorstep if your cat is an outdoor cat. This could be something you simply get once in a while or something you look forward to every morning.
The propensity of cats to bring us gifts related to hunting has left many cat owners puzzled worldwide, and many are left wondering why cats hunt. It helps to understand why your cat hunts if it is an expert hunter. This is especially true if your cat receives regular feedings and lots of love and attention!
Why do cats hunt?
In the past, loving owners did not keep cats as pets or provide for them. Like their big cat cousins, lions and tigers, they had to hunt for their own food and provide for themselves. Due to a scarcity of prey, only the most proficient hunters were able to survive and procreate, meaning that your four-legged friend is descended from cats who were adept at hunting.
Today, cat hunting is more about fun and entertainment. Your cat’s natural hunting instinct is triggered by the sight and sound of prey, as it is ingrained in their brains. To put it plainly, your cat cannot withstand a bird’s flapping wings or a small mouse’s scuttling feet.
FAQ
Do cats hunt just for fun?
Why do cats play with their prey before killing it?
Why do cats play with mice before killing?
Why do cats not kill their prey?