Why does my cat bring home ‘presents’?

Dear Dr. John,

Our cat spends a fair amount of time outside for six months of the year. He is a very good hunter, but he drives me crazy when he brings home dead animals he has caught. The range of species is quite impressive but why does he do this? Also, I heard that Easter plants are potentially dangerous. I’m involved with our church and am thinking about bringing some plants home after services on Easter Sunday. Should I be concerned? P.H.

Dear P.H.,

There are many plausible reasons for why your cat may bring his prey home. The most well accepted is that it is a survival instinct to bring home what they have hunted to provide for you in a place they feel at home. It’s almost as if the cat wants to share the prey with you, not that you would want to eat it!  A cat would do this if they had a group of other cats to share with, but you are it. What you observe is more prevalent with females as this is the way they teach their young to survive, if they have kittens. It is also thought that bringing home dead animals that he has caught is a way of showing you his gratitude for providing for him as you do. What is important is that captured and killed prey of various species may be diseased so one must carefully handle and dispose of any carcasses brought home.

If you want to reduce his deliveries, you can consider putting a bell on a collar that will alert any prey so they might get away before being caught. Alternatively, play with him more and tire him out or keep him inside. As for Easter lilies, these plants are highly toxic to cats if ingested, so it is best to avoid them all together or ensure that they are out of reach of the cat! The leaves and even the pretty pollen is dangerous and can cause irreversible and fatal kidney damage. I would avoid bringing the beautiful lilies home after church but, if you must bring some home, keep an eye on your cat. Any sign of vomiting can be a sign of an emergency nature needing to be seen by a veterinarian. Happy Easter!

Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He can be reached at 781-899-9994.