Answer: The fact that a cat which is not hungry indulges in killing birds, and may bring dead or live rodents back home, greatly distresses some owners. Although cats can learn to hunt latter in life, hunting is normally learned from the mother at an early age. Consequently, the kittens of a non-hunting mother cat are less likely to become hunters, both because they may not be taught it and also because they may inherit a genetic make up which precludes hunting.
The castration of a male cats does not reduce their predatory instincts. Tying a bell to the collar (‘belling the cats’) is sometime done so that the potential prey have warning of the cat’s approach. However, many cats learn to move so stealthily that the bell does not ring until it pounces on its prey.
Some owners try aversion therapy to discourage hunting. After concealing themselves, they dangle a dead birth on a string and, when the cat attacks it , the unseen owner squirts the cat with water. The intention is that with repetition the cat will come to associate hunting with an unpleasant shock and so will be effectively discouraged.
Although it is believed that the majority of birds caught by cat are young, old or sick individuals, and that in order to keep the bird population in an area constant, around three quarters of those hatched have to die, this may be of little consolation to the cat owner. Such preventive measures as the careful sitting of nesting boxes and bird table (away from hiding places and easy vantage points), the secure fixing of nesting boxes and the attachment of an anti climbing device to a bird table may be the best that can be achieved.
Cats who as kittens:
Were reared alongside other species such as mice usually make on attempt to hunt them, i.e. they do not regard these species as natural prey. However, since this rarely happens, it is prudent to ensure that cat do not have access to any other smaller pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, budgerigars and of course, tropical and could water fish.
