![]() ![]() There are thought to be several reasons why playing with prey could be important for survival in cats, although more research is needed. However, this behaviour in cats is likely a survival mechanism and not done out of malice. Many people have seen cats playing with their prey and might perceive this to be cruel. Kittens are especially playful as they are learning to hunt and need to test out different methods of catching prey through trial and error. Whilst play can be a fun and important bonding exercise between cat and owner, it also forms an essential survival function for cats.Īs a predatory species, cats in the wild rely on catching prey to survive. Visit the RSPCA Australia Safe and Happy Cats website for more information.Whether it’s chasing a wiggling piece of string across the floor or zooming around after a fishing rod toy, playfulness is one of the traits that owners often love in their cats. Therefore, cat containment is preferred to using any prey deterrent devices. However, there is limited research on this topic and more work needs to be done to determine the efficacy of these devices and their potential effect on cat welfare. Research has found that bells on collars are relatively ineffective but other research has shown that some specially designed cat predation devices may reduce predation. If you are not able to confine your cat, you may consider trying a special predation deterrent to help prevent hunting and predation. If this is a regular occurrence, then you should seriously consider containing your cat. If injuries are present or suspected, the animal should be taken to a vet as quickly as possible for assessment. Should the prey animal still be alive, it is advised to swiftly retrieve the animal to check for injuries. You can read more about keeping your cat safe at home in these articles: How can I keep my cat safe and happy at home? and Is it okay to keep my cat at home all the time?įinally, should a dead animal be presented to you by your cat, it is best to dispose of the carcass (ensuring first that the animal is indeed dead) as quickly as possible and without displaying any reaction, as a response may inadvertently encourage more hunting. ![]() Most cats adapt relatively easily to being confined indoors, especially if this occurs from when they are a kitten. The RSPCA encourages the containment of cats not only to reduce hunting but also to help protect your cat from disease and injury, increase the opportunity for human interaction and reduce disturbance to neighbours. Mandatory cat confinement may be night only or for 24 hours/day to your home or within your property boundary. You may choose to do this voluntarily, or you may live in an area where cat containment is mandatory under local government bylaws. The only effective way to completely prevent your cat from hunting prey is to keep them safely contained at home. In some locations, this behaviour may have significant implications for the conservation of endangered and threatened species. Research has shown that domestic cats can have individual preferences for different types of prey and that they will continue to hunt preferred prey even when their numbers are low. Cats are very efficient and prolific hunters.
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