The ‘defend prey instinct’ is always present in domestic cats no matter their age. Have you experienced this sort of behavior? I have with my current cat. When he comes in with a mouse and I try and save the mouse’s life he growls at me and scampers off. He thinks I am trying to take his prey to eat. He thinks I am a competing cat in a pride.
You know how lions can squabble over their prey. Well it’s the same between me and my cat only he doesn’t realise that I have no intention of eating his mouse. I just want to save its life.
NO It's MINE !! MY Purrecious! 😂❤
Posted by Joji Thomas on Sunday, January 6, 2019
My cat will carry his prey upstairs and hide to protect it from me. In his world we are like two cats living together. I provide food but I will take his prey and he doesn’t like that.
I sometimes think that in general the domestic cat is confused about his place in the human to cat relationship (I am not saying that this kitten is demonstrating confused behavior but commenting generally on the human/cat relationship). The domestic cat is a junior partner but when a female cat brings in a mouse and dumps it on the kitchen floor she is trying to teach her human how to hunt. Her instincts operating in the human environment create some odd behaviors. On the one hand she is totally dependent on her human caretaker and plays the role of a kitten and then suddenly she is mom hunting for prey and training her cubs (humans).
Sometimes I query the whole concept of cat domestication. I am not sure the domestic cat fits in that well with the human lifestyle. We take it for granted that all is okay but I am not sure that it is.
Dare I suggest, in the nicest possible way, that it is you who are confused?
Cat is perfectly clear, he is focussed and doing his cat thing.
Sometimes it is possible to save a prey animals life, but mostly they die from shock or internal injuries when released back outside to safety. Sometimes, disabled by fear, they make an easier meal for another predator.
Over the years, I’ve taken countless cat caught birds, rodents et al to those experienced & skilfull in wildlife rescue. Most have died.
Hard as it is, I think it’s often better to let the cat get on with it.
We can adjust our thinking and lifestyle more easily than natural born predators.
Yes, this cat is not confused. And his/her behavior is based on pure wild cat behavior. But in general domestic cats (almost a wild cat) living as friends with humans in a human environment often devoid of any ‘wild’ element can get confused as to his role. I gave one example as to why I believe this. They have to fit in their natural behaviors into an environment which is not ideally suited these behaviors.
I think it is humans who must adapt to the presence of a being that we created via domestication.
Surely we can lead this adaptation as that is the most humane way to true accord/symbiosis between species. Both will benefit. It is the most minimal courtesy we can afford them
(Spaying and neutering aside, because it is our responsibility to steward for good welfare, having created this domesticated species)
Humans, though often well meaning, are too frequently just plain disrespectful to the real nature of domesticated species.
I am not so sure a cat has any duty to assume any role other than being itself.
Domestication is surely a mutually beneficial expoitation? We don’t need to imbue them with an imagined burden of duty, when we as yet have trouble even acknowledging their sentience or emotionality
The business of caring for companion animals has skewed roles and relationships greatly. Possibly to the detriment of both parties?
We might be heading towards agreement on this one!
😺