What to do if your cat brings home a bird?

Your cat proudly presents its prey - a bird - right in front of your feet. This natural instinct of the cat can become a real dilemma for you. There are several effective methods to control your cat's hunting behavior and protect birds. In this article you will find practical tips and steps you can take to both save the caught bird and prevent your cat from hunting in the future.

First steps: How to help the bird and your cat

If you notice that your cat has caught a bird, it is important to act quickly . Gently remove the bird from your cat's clutches and check its condition . If the bird is still alive and has no obvious injuries, prepare a safe place for it. You will need a cardboard box large enough so that the bird does not feel confined and a towel to make a nest.

It is crucial that the bird does not lie on its side or back , otherwise it will not be able to breathe. Roll the towel into a "sausage" and form a nest in which the bird can sit with its feet under its belly. Make sure the bird is in a natural position , as if it were brooding. You can then carefully close the box and poke a few holes in the lid to ensure sufficient air circulation.

Now it's time to prepare a heat source :

• Fill a disposable glove with lukewarm water.
• Place the heat source under the towel nest.
• Carefully place the bird on top so that it is warmed from below. This warmth helps the bird to stabilize its circulation, as birds are often in shock after a cat attack.

While you are caring for the bird, you should also keep an eye on your cat. Calm her down and move her to another room so that she does not continue to fixate on the bird. It is important that you do not punish your cat , as she has only followed her natural instinct. Instead, you should praise her when she refrains from future hunting attempts.

Understanding Hunting Behavior: Why Cats Bring Home Prey

Cats are not only cute pets, but they are also born hunters . Their hunting behavior is a deep-rooted instinct that drives them to hunt even when they are not hungry. So when your cat brings home a bird or a mouse, they are exhibiting a natural behavior.

There are several reasons why cats bring their prey home. Some experts believe that cats see their prey as a gift to take care of you - just like they would their kitten. Others say it could be a sign of superiority or an attempt to share with you.

If a cat brings you prey, it can also mean that it:

• sees you as part of their social network ,
• wants to show you her skills or
• simply looking for a safe place to consume its prey.

It's also possible that your cat wants to train you. She may think you're not capable of hunting on her own, so she's trying to teach you how to do it. This behavior is especially common in mother cats teaching their kittens to hunt.

Understand your cat's hunting behavior to better handle the situation. It's part of their nature, and there are ways to manage this behavior without completely suppressing it. In the next section, you'll learn how to protect birds from your cat.

Prevention: How to protect birds from your cat

Nature created cats to be hunters, and it is impossible to completely break them of this instinct. However, there are preventative measures you can take to protect birds from your cat. One effective method is to limit your cat's outdoor access during the birds' critical breeding season - mainly from April to June.

A "curfew" during nesting times can significantly reduce the risk to the young birds. Since cats are particularly active at dusk, it is helpful to keep them indoors in the evening and early morning hours. This gives the young birds a better chance of growing up undisturbed.

There are several ways to satisfy your cat's hunting instinct at home:

• Extensive play : Keep your cat busy with toys to reduce its hunting ambitions.
• Toys not only provide distraction, but also strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
• Exhausting your cat will make him less interested in hunting for the time being.

Another important aspect is the design of your garden. A natural garden with dense bushes and shrubs offers birds safe hiding places and nesting places. This makes it more difficult for your cat to get to the birds. Shrubs with thorns in particular can effectively protect bird nests.

It's important that you don't punish your cat for natural behavior. Instead, encourage positive behaviors and reward your cat for staying away from birds . With patience and the right methods, you can help protect birds while having a happy and fulfilled cat.

Dealing with the prey: What to do with dead birds?

If your cat presents you with a dead bird, it is important to act safely and responsibly . First, wear gloves or wrap your hands in plastic bags to avoid direct contact. The dead bird can then be placed in a plastic bag and disposed of in the trash. Be sure to thoroughly clean the area where the bird was lying with pet-safe cleaning products .

If you suspect that the bird may have died of a disease such as bird flu, it is necessary to inform the local authority . In other cases, the bird can also be buried in the garden, provided there are no signs of disease and it is not a water protection area. It must be buried at a depth of at least 50 centimeters to prevent other animals from digging up the carcass.

Flappie: The intelligent cat flap for a prey-free home

Imagine you come home and your cat has n't brought any prey . This is possible with the intelligent cat flap from Flappie. This flap recognizes whether your cat is coming home alone or with a "gift". With the help of a camera and artificial intelligence, the prey is identified and the cat is only granted access if it is without prey.

The Flappie cat flap offers you several advantages :

• No more unwanted surprises in your home.
• You will receive notifications about your cat's activities through the Flappie app.
• The ability to remotely control settings and receive photos or videos of your cat. A prey-free home means less stress for you while protecting local wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do cats bring birds home?

Cats are natural hunters and their hunting behavior is a deep-rooted instinct. They bring birds home because they might see it as a gift to take care of you, or it might be a sign of superiority. It might also mean that they see you as part of their social network, want to show off their skills, or are looking for a safe place to consume their prey. Some cats might even think you are incapable of hunting yourself and try to teach you how to do it.

How can you stop cats from chasing birds?

To protect birds from your cat, you can take preventative measures. Limit your cat's outdoor access during the critical bird breeding season, especially from April to June. Keep your cat indoors in the evenings and early mornings to protect young birds. Keep your cat busy with toys to reduce its hunting ambitions and design your garden in a natural way with dense bushes and shrubs to provide birds with safe hiding and nesting places. Reward your cat for staying away from birds to encourage positive behavior.

What to do if the cat has caught a bird?

If your cat has caught a bird, you should act quickly. Gently remove the bird from your cat's clutches and check its condition. Prepare a safe place to stay by preparing a cardboard box with a towel nest so that the bird does not lie on its side or back. Provide a heat source to stabilize the bird's circulation. Calm your cat and move it to another room without punishing it.

What to do if a cat brings prey?

If your cat brings a dead bird, act safely and responsibly. Wear gloves to avoid direct contact and dispose of the bird in the trash. Clean the area thoroughly with pet-safe cleaning products. Inform the local authority if you suspect an illness such as bird flu. The bird can also be buried in the garden if there are no signs of illness and it is not a water protection area, but at a depth of at least 50 centimeters.