Killer Cat!

I know I'm not the only one who has one of these. He has killed (and eaten!) at least 10 mice, 5 birds, and 2 rabbits in the last 2 months!  What I saw this morning finally put me over the edge. I won't go into details, but it was the grossest thing I have ever seen (it WAS a rabbit at one point). So, I put a reflective bell collar on him last night (didn't help the rabbit). He eats all the time, so I know he can't be hungry! We feed him about 2 - 3 times per day, so he isn't going long periods of time without food. I guess now the only option is to keep him inside at night and early morning and see if that helps. I'm sad because DH says he doesn't understand how I could love a killer, and I think he is really beginning to dislike having a cat. I know Alex is just following his instinct, but we have to find a way to minimise the amount of dead animals being brought into the house. Especially since we have my stepson sometimes, and DH barely managed to get a dead baby rabbit out of sight yesterday morning before my stepson saw it. Anyone have any other suggestions?

I think you got it right when you said that it's instinct. Cats are natural hunters and, I'm afraid, there's not much you can do about it. At least, I don't think so. Have you spoken to your vet? Perhaps he/she will have some amazing advice that I've never heard! Bell collars do often work, at least a bit, so I'm sorry yours hasn't done the trick.

Fortunately, my little predator only gets mice and shrews. He's had two birds in his entire life, and never a rabbit or anything bigger than a mouse. I'm lucky, I guess!

Maybe he needs a bigger bell (cowbell? haha). Or one of those sonic alarm collars. I mean, the mice and birds weren't so bad now that he has moved on to full-sized rabbits.  I guess keeping him in at night and in the early morning might help. At least he would be more likely to be seen in the daytime, so maybe he would catch less wildlife unaware?

I guess keeping him in at night and in the early morning might help. At least he would be more likely to be seen in the daytime, so maybe he would catch less wildlife unaware?

Yes, I think this is your best bet.  I have only had one cat that I allowed outside and he always caught birds and mice in the early AM, but never any other time of the day.  In all my experience with cats, you cannot teach a cat NOT to hunt and you cant really teach them to hunt - you can only take away the opportunity for them to catch anything.

Man, I wish I had your cat. Mine follows a strict catch-and-release policy: catch outside, release in the livingroom. I've gotten really good at scooping up wounded rodents in a big ceramic mug.

I would *love* a cat that did for rabbits (and rats!). We have a real problem out here in the boonies.

Try a better bell. Also, try to offer him raw meat as a snack - i.e. not as his primary meal. Cats like to snack all day so if you can keep some fresh beef on hand to give him as a snack, it might curb some of his instinct. Keeping him in at night isn't a bad idea either - if you have to let him out at all (but that's another debate!).

When we lived in rural Somerset we inherited a stray cat that was a major hunter. We lived by a field that was the rabbit Serengheti. It got a bit tiresome I have to say! But he was too old to  change his ways and we'd moved into his territory, so we had to put up.

I don't know how to deter your cat from killing.  I did have a hefty 18 lb cat once.  She used to drag in mice and birds up to the porch and sometimes inside.  She even left them by the car.  I once asked a vet why she leaves dead animals all over the place and the vet told me that the cat was showing me love by bringing me dead things.  I guess in her mind, it was a lovely gift 

"More cowbell." 

"More cowbell." 

BWAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!! We need more cowbell!  Man, I forgot how funny that was until just now!

Man, I wish I had your cat. Mine follows a strict catch-and-release policy: catch outside, release in the livingroom. I've gotten really good at scooping up wounded rodents in a big ceramic mug.

I would *love* a cat that did for rabbits (and rats!). We have a real problem out here in the boonies.

Well, there are thousands of rabbits out here. But that doesn't mean I want him to take them out!  But cleaning up the innards of all these creatures is certainly not my idea of a good time, especially when I have to step over a dead rabbit to put the kettle on in the morning. 

Try a better bell. Also, try to offer him raw meat as a snack - i.e. not as his primary meal. Cats like to snack all day so if you can keep some fresh beef on hand to give him as a snack, it might curb some of his instinct. Keeping him in at night isn't a bad idea either - if you have to let him out at all (but that's another debate!).

When we lived in rural Somerset we inherited a stray cat that was a major hunter. We lived by a field that was the rabbit Serengheti. It got a bit tiresome I have to say! But he was too old to  change his ways and we'd moved into his territory, so we had to put up.

I hadn't thought of the meat thing. Maybe a slice of bacon here and there wouldn't hurt.