Why does my cat throw dead mice around before he eats them?

We just acquired a new cat a few months ago, and he has turned into quite a killer. He has brought 3 birds and a mouse up to the front door in the past week alone, and eaten them right there for all to see. I think it is fascinating, and always watch. But tonight, I noticed that he was " playing " with a dead mouse, before eating it. He would pick it up in his mouth, and then toss it (quite hard) against the front steps, or the side of the house, or straight up where it would come back down and land on the pavement with a thwack. Then he'd take a little bite, and maybe toss it a few more times. Then he devoured it. Why does he do this? At first I thought he was just playing with it, hoping it would come back to life and entertain him a bit by trying to get away. But then I thought that maybe he is trying to smash it up to make it easier to eat. Like a primitive meat tenderizer. Thoughts?

 

Instinct.

 

He probably thinks it's entertaining.

 

Why does Richard Dreyfus build mountains out of his mashed potatoes before eating them? Same answer

 

According to why does a cat do that.com

Why does a cat play with its prey?
Cats are attracted by movement, so if a stalked prey keeps moving, the cat's desire to attack continues to be stimulated. If the cat gets very excited over the stalking/killing, he may continue to play with the prey after it is dead.

 

At least yours goes after them. All my wife's cat does is eat, crap, and sleep. I think a mouse could probably curl up next to him and be perfectly safe. He's pathetic, but my wife loves him so I have to deal, even though my allergies suffer. I guess you can tell I'm not much of a cat person. Always been partial to dogs. Only reason we don't own one right now is we live in an apartment.

 

That's intoxicating.

I like that description.

 

Dogs are awsome.

-The Scummy-

 

I like dogs, but I love cats.

 

It means something. It is important.

 

Dogs are awsome.

 

Cats are one of only two species/animal groups who hunt for fun. Basically, your cat really is just playing with its food.

-P!-

 

I read "Drugs are awsome."

 

I throw my chalupas around before I eat them. It stimulates my desire to attack.

 

Yeah, the less hungry your cat really is, the more it will play with it's prey before eating it.

 

So no one thinks that the " meat tenderizing " theory has any merit?

It's funny how he always brings them right up to the front step to show them off. And he won't eat them until someone sees them. Once when I was inside he sat on the step with a dead bird and meowed for all he was worth until I came out and saw it. It's like he's paying the rent, you know " check this out, I'm doing my part, see? "

The actual eating part is pretty cool, too. With birds, he bites off their wings first and discards them, then he eats the head first. Then he pulls most of the feathers from the back and belly off, and spits them out. Then he eats the rest of the body, but he always leaves the legs with the wings. With mice, shrews, rats, and moles (and I've seen him catch and eat all of these, ) he just completely consumes them, head to tail.

 

Again, from why does a cat do that.com

Why does your cat bring you dead or dying creatures?
There are at least four differing theories on this behavior:
- Your cat is bringing you a present, in appreciation for you feeding it or as a sign of affection.
- Your cat realizes you are a totally incompetent mouser and is trying to educate you.
- The cat is bringing her prey home to where it is safe, where she usually eats.
- The cat is simply trying to make sure you have fresh food.

Your cat might wait for you to see 'cause he thinks you're dumb.

 

Your cat is bringing you a present, in appreciation for you feeding it or as a sign of affection.
- Your cat realizes you are a totally incompetent mouser and is trying to educate you.
- The cat is bringing her prey home to where it is safe, where she usually eats.
- The cat is simply trying to make sure you have fresh food.

Wow, those are some good theories. And yes, I AM an incompetent mouser. It usually takes two or three stomps to finish them off.

 

It's practice for when he gets you in your sleep.

 

Why does your cat bring you dead or dying creatures?
There are at least four differing theories on this behavior:
- Your cat is bringing you a present, in appreciation for you feeding it or as a sign of affection.
- Your cat realizes you are a totally incompetent mouser and is trying to educate you.
- The cat is bringing her prey home to where it is safe, where she usually eats.
- The cat is simply trying to make sure you have fresh food.

Nonsense. It's patently obvious that cats do this as a way of saying "Any chance you can cook this for me?"

 

I was always taught that they do it to please you. This theory seems correct because if you ignore your cat's 'gifts,' she'll usually stop bringing them. If you give her positive feedback, she'll bring more.

 

I always thought it was a 'present' thing too. Our cat didn't give us 'presents' much but I remember once when we all came back from shopping our cat had laid out a dying bat perfectly on our doormat, wings spread out and everything. I was well impressed with that!

 

At least your cat eats them. Mine just brings them in and leaves them on the floor. I had one cat that loved to bring in live baby rabbits in the spring, and let them run around in the house.

 

Cheri,

Nice Wittgenstein sig!

 

Cats =