Cats “play” with their prey: do they make them suffer for fun?

Created: 08/26/2022, 2:30 p.m

By: Jasmine Farah

Outdoor cats love to hunt.

It's because of their natural instincts.

But why don't they kill the prey right away, but rather play with it?

Anyone who owns a cat that is allowed outside has surely seen them behave outdoors.

Sometimes it's amusing to watch, like when she's stretching out on the patio, yawning and/or sunbathing.

Another time she is seen focusing on a point in the distance with great concentration.

Then it is almost certain that she has discovered something interesting and is on the hunt.

Cats “play” with their prey: do they make them suffer for fun?

The velvet paw pricks its ears, scurries through the undergrowth, stalks and then dashes quickly towards its prey.

Sometimes she is lucky and catches the mouse, the butterfly or the little bird.

Your natural hunting instincts are now in high gear - but what happens now?

Instead of finishing with a bite, the velvet paw "plays" with its downed prey.

For the cat owner, this is a scene that seems incredibly gruesome and almost unbearable to watch.

Cats also hunt prey when they are not hungry.

©Panthermedia/Imago

Only when the house tiger has had enough and the mouse stops moving do they happily take the prey in their mouths like a trophy and carry the corpse away.

It is not uncommon for them to put them on our doorstep or even bring them into our own four walls.

Many owners are disgusted by this behavior, but why do cats make their prey suffer?

Cats play with their prey:

Basically, domesticated cats also have many of the instincts of their wild ancestors.

They used to hunt smaller prey all day long, and it's this evolutionary holdover that drives domestic cats to catch mice and the like.

And that even if they are not hungry.

In addition, feral cats "play" with their prey before eating it to tire them out.

Because of this, they hit them with their claws, throw them in the air, or grab them.

After all, this ensures that if the other animal fights back, the cat won't hurt itself.

But what to do if you want to stop this urge?

Then studies have shown that you can curb this by playing a lot and varied with the house tigers in your own four walls.

Also, cats are carnivores, so it's important to feed them plenty of meat to ensure they get enough micronutrients.

Another way to make sure your velvet paw doesn't run amok outside is to put the cat on a leash.

However, regular training is required for it to work.

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