What, you don’t believe I’m a fierce hunter kitty? Every day, I spend some time looking out the French double doors to the patio, in search of prey! Are you wondering what I saw above?
We have several of these guys living around the house and they are always playing together and scampering around the back patio and on the roof of our house. I don’t know why this one is taking sips out of the spa. It’s got to taste icky.
I always stalk these guys… and they always get away! Mainly because I can’t reach them through the glass. I know for sure I could catch one if I was outside. The only problem is that when I actually am outside, they are nowhere to be found.
People think that because I am a pampered pedigreed cat that I probably have less of a hunting instinct than your average stray tabby, but that is not necessarily true! Sparkle was actually a better hunter than either Boodie or Binga, and caught moths, bugs, and a couple of times, lizards. I’m the only one who stalks the rats that live around our house. Boodie is interested but she mostly hunts toys. Actually Binga is the only one out of the three of us that shows no interest in hunting — and she’s the cat that came from the streets.
We cats have the physiological makeup to stalk and ambush prey. It’s ingrained in the way our brains function. Our digestive systems are built to handle raw prey. It’s an important part of us that can’t be denied! If your cat doesn’t get any hunting satisfaction, she might act out by scratching up stuff or getting into things. Or she may become dull and bored and sleep all day and eat too much, like humans do when they are unfulfilled.
Here are some quick tips to enrich your cat’s hunting instinct — and she does not even have to kill anything!
- Use an interactive toy, like a wand toy or Neko Fly to play with your cat right before serving him dinner! It will almost feel like he caught his own meal.
- Figure out what your cat’s hunting style is — does she enjoy stalking things along the ground? Does she fly through the air after a toy? Does she stalk cat toys, then walk around proudly with them in her mouth? Make sure you get your cat toys that match her own personal hunting style.
- Make sure your cat has a nice window view of critters, if you can. Give him a comfortable perch to watch them. Invite them to your cat’s window with feeders.
- Never scold your cat if she actually catches something. It’s her instinct and she can’t control that. If she is presenting you with a dead critter, it’s a gift! Her feelings might be hurt if you don’t eat it, so if you don’t intend to consume the prey, then dispose of it when your cat is not looking.
- Lastly, if you find a variety of cat toys left on your pillow, be flattered! That means your cat is trying to provide for you. Either that, or she thinks you are a rotten hunter and is trying to help out. Either way, it is a display of affection.
2022 Somali Cat Calendar Starring Summer Samba
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
Astrid is the hunter in our house. She tries to keep us free of bugs. To Mom’s dismay, none of us will have anything to do with the Stink Bugs. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
You are so so right. There is a fierce hunter in every kitty. We do surprise mom every once in a while. Shoot, Samantha our fursis who is now OTRB was an alarm for intruders. Any time she saw a stranger walk in front of our house or at the door she would alert mom by growling. She was a tortie with catitude! Purrs
We are all mighty hunters at Poupounette Central and the interesting thing is that, if there is a really interesting and difficult prey in the house (mouse), we will actually work together to stalk it! Da Beebs is probably the mightiest of us…
Purrs,
The Chans
You’d be a fierce hunter if you were allowed to go outside and do it. Until then playing is a good substitute. That good window does really look like it helps relieve some stress too.
We hope those guys are outside sometime when you are Summer! We play Neko fly every day. Bella likes to jump for it believe it or not. I’m more of a stalker before deading it. Mommy had a crappy day today so I took her my mousie and it made her feel better.
Angel
We dont doubt yer hunting intincts at all. Fortunately, WE get ta go outside in the huge fenced yard and do some. But we agree that 99.99% of our hunting is tossed rattley mousie toys…
I loves to hunt my mousies, so much fun to leap and pounce on them.
We get those guys at our house, too, Summer. Zoe likes to stalk them through the window. The birds, too. Gracie’s favorite toy is the Cat Catcher — she goes crazy for it, and then parades around with it in her mouth, just like you mentioned. 🙂
Should TW worry. I don’t do any of those. I patrol at the windows but she rarely hears me chattering. If I think I see a bug in the condo I’ on high alert but if there really IS a spider or moth, I’m nowhere to be found.
I am sure that is frustrating to look and not touch. I am offended, my cats never leave me gifts.
oh, we KNOW you are a fierce hunter, Summer!! we or at least Minnie, always stalks the birds outside but our TV window gets in the way of the pounce 😀 we love your squirrel channel. great post for us indoor kitties!
pip, smidgen, minnie, hollie, sharpie, ditto
Wow, maybe that’s Ivan’s problem–he can’t get no…sat-is-faction!
Maybe he can’t get no RAT-is-faction?
I luv watchin da skwerrils- I always act like I’m gonna pounce. Da only thing I’s ever ackshually gotten are lizards dat snuck inside.
Mudpie is definitely a hunter…one of her favorite jobs is hunting for bugs around the house, and the more elusive they are the more fun she has stalking them!
We all love to hunt bugs in the house and we also have a keen awareness of birds and squirrels outside. Mitalee is the best hunter of us all though 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
You do look intent in your pictures Summer. Harry the Farm cat is the best hunter on the Farm. He can eat a gopher in 6 bites! Sherpa catches lizards and snakes. Stinky still has some hunt left in her. Pumpkin is not much of a hunter at all. He is like Boodie.
It sure is frustrating when we have that glass to contend with…Pipo sits and drools and chatters at birds and varmints.
Minko takes his mousies and sings to them as he prances through the den with them in his mouth. Pipo finds his tail a good prey sometimes, too, MOL!
Both like to chase wand toys.
I totally believe you, Summer. I bet you’d catch so many of those squirrels if you had the chance, you could feed everyone for weeks and weeks!
I can’t get to them through the window either but Mum always plays ‘hunting’ games with me. She knows how important it is for me 🙂
Purrs xx
Athena
We don’t give any presents to mommy. Buster is the hunter in the house and when a fly (bec our screen door has a hole) gets inside the house he eats it when he catches it. Mom saw this with her own eyes.
Cody doesn’t get to hunt too many “real” things but he is a Master at “hunting” bugs and flies, he is quick as heck!!
I would love to do some real hunting but I am pretty happy with fuzzy mice!
A Pretty Cat, and also a very Alert Cat!
Summer, you look pretty, even with your “Alert Cat” look!
If our kitties were outdoor cats, I’m pretty sure Sophie and Olive would be excellent hunters. Dexter would just be scared of everything. 🙂
Daiquiri is the bug stalker in the house. It is stink bug season here and she is ALL about it (though mom won’t let her catch and eat them).
That squirrel…. they are just ebil, no two ways about it.
We are in and out of our garden all the time and we like to climb the fences and meow to Anna who lives next door. We hate it when it is very wet and cold because we can’t have so much fun.
Summer I 100% believe you could catch that tree rat if you WANTED to catch it.
Hugs madi your bfff
We all love to hunt too. Especially the kitties that stay and go outside. Khaki spends most of his day hunting and he gets plenty to eat. They all love to hunt.. Even LG and Tip Tail love hunting.. It is interesting how cats love to hunt, yet dogs in general are not big hunters.
We’re all stalkers here! We love to watch the lizards outside (and have caught a few inside!!!)
The Florida Furkids
We love to hunt bugs and spiders that get into the house. Just think if one of those squirrels got in…now that would be something to hunt! 😉
Julie is the big hunter in our house.
She is always listening and wants to get on the porch.
She finds a lot of mice there.
Mum doesn’t like it when she brings them in to play.
She often intervenes and “rescues” the mice! Can you believe that?
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ
Our mommy always praises us when we give her presents!