I am beginning to hate my cat. There are plenty of little lizards outside and they never bother me

[Maraya1969]

but she brings them in and get to watch as the poor things die right in front of me.

I have put this powder around the out side of the house that they do not like the smell of but it doesn't stop her.

And I know all about the "She is just bring you a present or she is trying to make sure you don't go hungry. The thing is she brings them in alive and then plays with them until they die. It is like Armageddon here. I don't know what to do. I yelled at her and shooed her out but I don't even know if she knows what she did wrong

If I could find a cat rescue that would let her play with other cats I might take her there. But so many of them are filled and Lola is a black cat. I know black cats do not get adopted as easily as cats of other colors.

Signed,

Upset in Florida

[Ocelot II]

1. Cats hunt. That's what they do. If you don't want her to hunt, keep her inside.

She doesn't know she did something wrong because she didn't do anything wrong.

[Maraya1969]

2. You're right. But I have 2 dogs also and they all use a dog door. I'd have to start letting them

also. Maybe that's what I will dol

[wnylib]

3. Beat me to it on every point.

It is not a matter of right or wrong when cats hunt, not even when they play with their captured prey, which is a form of torture in the human perspective. You can't train a cat not to do that. They are biologically hard wired for it. Cats are predatory hunters.

It is healthiest for the cat and for other creatures to keep a cat indoors.

If a cat owner is not willing to keep the car indoors and can't stand seeing its biogically natural behavior, it's best to give the cat away. If the shelter is full, then give it away to a family or individual. Run an ad in the newspaper or post one at a supermarket bulletin board. Ask a vet. They often know people who would like a grown cat.

[Rebl2]

4. Easy solution

don’t let the cat go outside

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. A long time ago when I live in a rural area, my cat brought me a dead rabbit

My cat was a large cat and we lived near some farming area (there was orange groves close to our house). My cat was very proud of the dead rabbit he brought to the back door of our house

[NullTuples]

6. Personally, I think domesticated cats catch 'em for fun but dump them on us b/c it's gross food

[2naSalit]

7. All the cats I have ever...

Had in my home learned that I don't want them to bring their catch into the house, especially alive. One would bring her kill in and leave it in front on the kitchen trash thingy.

When they bring in something, they do this so the whateveritis can't escape, I put on some heavy leather gloves and maybe a bowl of whatever is handy and safe for the creature and take it from the cat when they set it down, put it back outside and tell them to play with their friends out there. Sometimes, if the door is open, the creature will find it's way through it before you can even identify it.

Usually worked for me, they catch on after a couple rounds.

[Whatthe_Firetruck]

12. Mom's cats would bring them in...

... But would dispatch them in the bathtub for easy cleanup.

[wryter2000]

8. If they're alive when she brings them in

Can't you get them away from her, put them outside, and keep her in for a while?

I adore reptiles. I'm afraid I'd have to give the cat away. Try that. Maybe someone needs a mouser.

[Maraya1969]

11. I try to catch them with a plastic container but you have to be fast because they run away

One time I saw on in the pantry and he jumped down to the ground and let go of his tail. And the damn tail kept wiggling! I was so grossed out!!!

[lark2]

9. Accept her as she is, keep her inside, or rehome her.

I accept my cats' predatory nature so didn't freak out when he brought home a huge dead squirrel. When he left it for a minute, hubs grabbed it up and tossed it over the fence into the deep ditch so it would be part of the nature cycle. When the occasional lizzard gets in, we just take it away and put it outside when he drops it. Chasing flying insects is his main joy. He and the dog compete for catching flies.

[Easterncedar]

10. Easy solution

Keep her inside. My indoor cats lived long and happy lives.

[LisaL]

13. She is exhibiting a completely normal cat behavior.

She isn't doing anything wrong because she is doing what cats do.

[Maraya1969]

14. I found the solution. I am keeping her inside and making sure I let the dogs out several times a

day. I have a fenced in backyard but I have been very lazy in that I haven't wanted get up and let them out several times/day. And yes the pee on the throw rugs but that is what they are there for and I wash them.

[Ziggysmom]

15. You made the right choice. Reptiles can carry salmonella, and you don't want that coming into

your home OR making kitty sick. You could allow her outside only supervised by you or on a harness? If she's not going outdoors she will need some kind of play fun with toys to take its place. My indoor cats are allowed on a balcony that is partially screened. They love to catch bugs, I hate it, but it's in their nature.