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Domestic cats generally hunt to satisfy their need
for physical activity and even those that live inside will find
ways to practice their hunting skills. But what happens when Felix
brings home more than you can handle?
The indoor solution
Many native animals are nocturnal, and
most gardens are teeming with action while you are sleeping. Keeping
cats indoors at night will go a long way in reducing the impact that
night hunting can have. Your cat probably won't like this at first
and you may have to re-introduce the kitty litter, but after a
while, your cat will adapt to the routine and settle down.
Restricting night-time activity not only reduces hunting, it will
also protect your cat from unfriendly feline neighbours. It might
also decrease the incidence of unwanted litters, which in turn, will
reduce the number of domestic cats contributing to the feral
population, which poses a greater threat to wildlife.
Mums the word
Some people say that hunting is not
instinctive for domestic cats and that a kitten born to a
non-hunting mother will probably never learn to hunt. Keeping the
kitten indoors for the first few months will further halt the feline
from associating or becoming familiar with wildlife.
 When
the bell tolls
Placing a bell on the collar of your cat
is important, but some cats are ingenious enough to work out ways to
silence the bell when stalking. So, why not try two bells and a
small mirror. The mirror works by sending off quick flashes of
light, which can warn prey that another presence is around. Two
bells will cut down the chances of your cat being able to silence
just one.
Garden attraction
Trim bushes near bird baths and other
resting places for birds. If your garden is sparse, plant more trees
to attract more birds. Yes! The higher the number of birds the
greater their rate of survival as increased numbers create a more
efficient early warning system.
Did you know?
The cat was first domesticated in Egypt
where it was prized for its hunting instincts. They were excellent
in controlling rodent infestations especially around the grain
stores, which in turn protected precious food sources. Their success
brought them much admiration and in some cases, god-like status. In
fact, in ancient Egypt, killing a cat was a crime punishable by
death. Often cats were mummified and embalmed mice were placed with
them in their tombs. In one ancient city, over 300 000 cat mummies
were found. News of their hunting prowess reached far off shores,
and thereafter cats became not only welcome guests on boats as
valuable mousers, but welcome rodent controllers wherever they went.
Even today, the domestic cat is appreciated for its ability to
control rodents within the home and barn. |
