Cats - need help and/or advise!

Okay, my turn to use the boards as they are intended to be used!

We have 4 yes 4 cats. Until recently they were indoor cats. Having 4 it was either let them go outside or give them up. Anyway, we now allow them to go outside (for a few hours per day). They started bringing us presents. Dead mouse here, dead mole there, you get the picture. Yesterday it was a rabbit! They left it at the front door all mangled. Then later ate it! (sorry, don't mean to be gross) So, is there anything short of keeping them inside that we can do to prevent their carnivorous ways of getting the best of them?

Thanks!

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Posted by tp329

Yikes, how did they carry a rabbit???? They are hunters those cats. I tried to bring mine outside once and they were shaking and ran back in. When you let them back in can you check them to make sure they are free of dead animals???

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They don't bring them in the house. They leave them at the door as a present. How do I tell four cats that I don't accept presents from females other than my wife?

That is funny. Not sure how to handle that one. Yuck.

My peanut brained little kitty put his TOY mouse in the water bowl like he was trying to drown him.

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Posted by jenniesunshine

One word of advice about letting them outside, especially if they're bringing you 'presents': make sure they all have received a vaccine for feline leukemia and feline HIV. If they haven't, I'd recommend taking them to the vet right away to get one and to get tested.

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Thanks!
Yes they are all up to date.

In that case, don't look a gift horse in the mouth! My cats used to bring home moles, baby rabbits, mice, you name it. We were never able to stop them, but we did yell at them for it if they still had it in their mouths.

Unfortunately for you it's in their nature. It is a present and they won't 'listen' if you try to tell them to stop. There is really nothing that you can do other than keep them indoors again. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...they can't help it. Actually...they are showing their affection for you.

Good Luck....

It is their instinct to hunt. There is nothing you can do about it.

Please reconsider letting your cats outside. We have a feral colony of cats in our neighborhood and we've rescued (and adopted out) some of them. But there were many others who simply 'disappeared' one day -- we don't know what happened to them, but we suspect they were killed.

However, we had to put one them asleep on Tuesday because she got bit by a dog.

Cats that are let outside are not only prone to danger (disease, injuries from other animals, getting hit by cars, idiots who think it is 'fun' to kill animals, etc), they can inflict harm on other animals (such as the bunny you mentioned).

I have several cats of my own (including the one in my avitar, who was a feral) all of whom were once feral or are the kittens of feral mothers. One of the kittens is handicapped, another was bit by an animal and almost died. NONE of the cats that I own are allowed outside, and they are fine with being 'indoor only' cats.

Stepping off my soapbox for today...

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Posted by frosty

It is their instinct to hunt. There is nothing you can do about it.

Please reconsider letting your cats outside. We have a feral colony of cats in our neighborhood and we've rescued (and adopted out) some of them. But there were many others who simply 'disappeared' one day -- we don't know what happened to them, but we suspect they were killed.

However, we had to put one them asleep on Tuesday because she got bit by a dog.

Cats that are let outside are not only prone to danger (disease, injuries from other animals, getting hit by cars, idiots who think it is 'fun' to kill animals, etc), they can inflict harm on other animals (such as the bunny you mentioned).

I have several cats of my own (including the one in my avatar, who was a feral) all of whom were once feral or are the kittens of feral mothers. One of the kittens is handicapped, another was bit by an animal and almost died. NONE of the cats that I own are allowed outside, and they are fine with being 'indoor only' cats.

Stepping off my soaps for today...

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Thanks for your input.
We have rescued many feral cats that are now wonderful pets. I don't care for their killing of other animals but at the same time really can't stand 4 cats taking over the house. They are calmer when inside now. Not too concerned about cars etc. We have a lot (many acres) of property and they never venture off it. Oh boy! Decisions!

Ron,

I would suggest maybe not letting them out. With the rabies situation on Long Island (and I doubt it's just confined to the Brookville area), I wouldn't chance it. If they are allowed to run free, they will hunt. Especially if they have the thrill of the kill in them now. There's so much more to worry about - fleas, ticks, disease, natural and unnatural predators. Keep those kitties in!

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Posted by ambersmom

Ron,

I would suggest maybe not letting them out. With the rabies situation on Long Island (and I doubt it's just confined to the Brookville area), I wouldn't chance it. If they are allowed to run free, they will hunt. Especially if they have the thrill of the kill in them now. There's so much more to worry about - fleas, ticks, disease, natural and unnatural predators. Keep those kitties in!

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No No No - I want them out!

Thanks!

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Posted by LIWeddings NYCityWeddings
Thanks for your input.
We have rescued many feral cats that are now wonderful pets. I don't care for their killing of other animals but at the same time really can't stand 4 cats taking over the house. They are calmer when inside now. Not too concerned about cars etc. We have a lot (many acres) of property and they never venture off it. Oh boy! Decisions!

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We've got 10 (yes, 10) cats in our house right now (not to mention a beagle, too). We tell people we have five cats and are fostering five other ones.

I know you'll have to make the decision that is best for you. But after having to put down a cat the other night because she was injured by another animal, it makes me even more adamant about keeping cats indoors.

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Posted by frosty

We've got 10 (yes, 10) cats in our house right now (not to mention a beagle, too). We tell people we have five cats and are fostering five other ones.

I know you'll have to make the decision that is best for you. But after having to put down a cat the other night because she was injured by another animal, it makes me even more adamant about keeping cats indoors.

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10 Cats! Holy litter box!!!
Yeah, I had to put a few animals down over the years. Very unpleasant. These ladies are such friends they play almost 24/7. Drives me nuts! Not to say what they did to the new sofa. I'll be eating and four cats go running across the dinner table. And they know exactly what they are doing. After they run over the table they all stop and look at me for a response. Okay, inside they stay! Uggg!

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Posted by LIWeddings NYCityWeddings

I'll be eating and four cats go running across the dinner table. And they know exactly what they are doing. After they run over the table they all stop and look at me for a response. Okay, inside they stay! Uggg!

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You get to eat at a table? Wow.

It can definitely be overwhelming, but you get used to it after a while. Plus, I'm not in charge of the litter box(es).

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Posted by frosty

You get to eat at a table? Wow.

It can definitely be overwhelming, but you get used to it after a while. Plus, I'm not in charge of the litter box(es).

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Get used to it! Never!!!

The other night I went as far as telling them I know of a nice Korean restaurant I can take them to! I have resorted to talking to and threatening cats. Oh no, what is happening to me?

(no offense to my asian friends j/k)

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Posted by jenniesunshine

I don't know if this is of any help, but I've seen 'cat runs' similar to dog runs. You can set them up so that the cats can go outside, but they're actually in a cage. If they just like to sit outside, this might be nice for them.

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Hmmm good idea - thanks!

BTW-love your title and avatar!

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Posted by LIWeddings NYCityWeddings

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Posted by jenniesunshine

I don't know if this is of any help, but I've seen 'cat runs' similar to dog runs. You can set them up so that the cats can go outside, but they're actually in a cage. If they just like to sit outside, this might be nice for them.

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Hmmm good idea - thanks!

BTW-love your title and avatar!

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Thanks! We all need a life philosophy

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Posted by jenniesunshine

Thanks! We all need a life philosophy

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Live it to the full!