Your cat brings mice? Understand and react correctly.

Every time there is a surprise at the door – and again your cat has brought a mouse with it. This behavior can be confusing and even worrying.

Cats have a natural hunting instinct and bring mice home for a variety of reasons, such as practice or because they feel safe.

In this article, you will learn what is behind this behavior and how you as a cat owner can best respond to it, including preventative measures and emotional coping strategies.

Why does your cat bring mice home?

Cats are hunters by nature. This behavior is deeply embedded in their DNA and is a relic from when they were wild animals. Even if your cat is fed regularly and does not have to hunt for survival, the hunting instinct remains. Bringing mice home is often a sign that your cat is acting on this natural urge.

There are several theories as to why cats bring their prey home. Some experts believe that cats see you as an incompetent pack member who cannot hunt and therefore want to provide for you. Others say it could be a sign of affection or an attempt to demonstrate their hunting skills . The following reasons are often given:

• Care : Your cat may see you as part of his family and want to care for you.
• Training : She might try to teach you to hunt, just as she would her cubs.
• Play : Cats enjoy playing with their prey and sometimes bring it home to continue the game.

It's important to understand that bringing mice is normal behavior for cats and nothing to worry about. It shows that your cat is healthy and active. Although it can be uncomfortable for us humans at times, it's a way for cats to exercise their natural instincts and control their environment. So the next time your cat comes home with a mouse, know that they're simply following their nature.

Live or dead mouse: what is your cat trying to tell you?

If your cat brings you a live mouse , it may mean that she wants to teach you how to hunt. Mother cats bring live prey to their kittens so they can learn to catch and kill it. Applied to humans, this could mean that your cat sees you as part of her family and wants to help you improve your "hunting skills."

In contrast, if a cat brings home a dead mouse , there could be other reasons:

• Care : She wants to take care of you because she sees you as incapable of hunting on your own.
• Pride : The cat shows you what it has caught and presents its hunting successes.
• Security : She feels safe at home and wants to consume her prey in a safe place.

It's important to understand that every cat is unique and their reasons for bringing prey may vary. Observe your cat's behavior and try to discern what they're trying to tell you with their prey. Whether alive or dead, it's a sign that your cat is acting out their instinctive behaviors and incorporating you into their social fabric .

How do you react correctly when your cat brings a mouse?

If your cat comes home with a mouse, it's important to react calmly and cautiously . Whether the mouse is alive or dead, don't show your cat anger or disgust, as they're just following their natural instincts. Instead, calmly explain that you appreciate their skills, but that you don't want mice in the house.

If you have a live mouse, you need to act quickly. Try to catch the mouse safely without hurting it. Here are a few steps you can follow:

• Distract your cat, for example with its favorite toy.
• Always wear gloves to protect yourself from bites.
• Release the mouse in a far away place where it will not be caught immediately.

If the mouse is already dead , you should dispose of it to avoid diseases and unpleasant smells. Use a plastic bag and a shovel to avoid direct contact. Afterwards, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly and clean the area where the mouse was.

After you've responded to the situation, consider how you can prevent it in the future. Remember that bringing mice is a natural behavior and can't be completely eliminated. But there are ways to redirect your cat's hunting in a safe and animal-friendly way, which will be discussed in the next section.

Preventive measures: Prevent cats from bringing mice.

There are various preventative measures that can be taken to prevent cats from bringing mice into their homes. One effective method is to close the cat flap at night , as cats mainly hunt at dusk and at night. This restricts access to the house and reduces the likelihood of your cat bringing prey home.

Another approach is to use bells on the cat's collar to warn potential prey. However, the effectiveness of this method is controversial, as some cats learn to move in such a way that the bell does not ring. In addition, the bell itself can be disturbing to the cat and should therefore be used with caution.

There are also special tree cat deterrent belts that prevent cats from climbing into treetops and catching birds. These measures will help limit your cat's hunting activities and therefore reduce the number of mice it brings home. It is important that you choose a method that suits your lifestyle and your cat's well-being.

Emotional Reactions: When Your Cat Brings You Mice

When your cat brings you a mouse, it can trigger different emotions in you. You may feel honored because your cat trusts you and includes you in its hunting behavior. It is also possible that you feel uncomfortable, especially if you have to eliminate the mouse. These feelings are normal and it is important to accept them.

To deal with these emotions, you can consider the following steps:

• Positive thinking : Remember that this behavior is a sign of your cat's health and well-being.
• Calm reaction : Avoid scolding your cat; she will not understand that her behavior is unpleasant for you.
• Distraction : Distract yourself by engaging in other activities when you feel uncomfortable.

Flappie: The intelligent solution for a prey-free home

Are you fed up with your cat bringing prey home again and again? Flappie is the smart solution that helps you create a prey-free home. Flappie's innovative cat flap is equipped with a camera and artificial intelligence that detects prey animals such as mice and birds and denies access if your cat tries to come into the house with prey. The advantages of Flappie are clear:

• Selective access control : Effectively prevents cats from bringing prey into the house.
• AI-powered prey detection : The camera precisely identifies prey and prevents it from entering.
• Flappie App : The app allows you to receive notifications, adjust settings, and view videos and photos of your cat. With Flappie, your home stays clean and you can relax knowing that no unwanted guests are coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when the cat brings a mouse?

If your cat brings a mouse, she is acting out her natural hunting instinct. It can be a sign of care, as she may see you as part of her family and want to take care of you. It could also mean that she wants to teach you how to hunt or simply wants to play with her prey. Live mice could indicate that your cat wants to help you improve your "hunting skills."

Why does the cat put a dead mouse in front of the door?

A dead mouse in front of the door can have various reasons. It could be a sign of care, as the cat wants to take care of you. It could also be pride, as it wants to show you what it has caught. It could also be a sign of security, as it feels safe at home and wants to eat its prey in a safe place.

What to do if the cat brings a mouse into the house?

If your cat brings a mouse into the house, you should react calmly and cautiously and not show anger or disgust. If it is a live mouse, you should catch it safely and release it somewhere far away. If the mouse is already dead, dispose of it using a plastic bag and a scoop to avoid direct contact, and then clean your hands and the area thoroughly.