Q: Why does our cat bring his prey home? Is he trying to give us a present?

Answer: The bringing home of dead, or even live, prey animals by females cats, and sometimes neutered males, is a modification of the mother cat’s normal behavior in bringing dead, and later live, prey to its kittens. In fact, it’s a partial demonstration of the cat’s concern for the will being of its owner. The cat usually ‘calls’ its owner to inspect the prey, just as the mother would coax its kittens. It is not so much asking for praise for being a good mouse catcher, but rather it is wanting the owner to the shown an interest in the prey it has brought home, as it would expect its kittens to.