Well thanks for all the comments. I know hunting is an instinct in cats.
But really, that doesn't make me feel any better about it when I have to
pick up the broken body of a terrified, mortally wounded bird! There are a
lot of instincts which we civilized types would like to discourage in our
kitty companions! The two suggestions that I found most interesting we

-to stick a bell on Zack's neck to warn the birds of his stealthy approach
(This is a practical suggestion I will seriously consider.)

-to not react with anger or displeasure at the sight of his kill, for it's
really a "gift" that he's offering me and I don't want to appear
"ungracious".

Now this latter observation, I must say, I can't help but be skeptical
about. Is that really true? Or are we just stretching to ascribe
"positive" human attributes to our feline buddies, whom we love and cherish?
If cats were really "givers" by nature, I'd think they're smart enough to
figure out a lot of other things we'd prefer to receive rather than a dead
carcass! Seriously, is there any scientific research to suggest that they
really are bringing us what they consider a "gift"? And that by my
expressing displeasure, I will only encourage more of the offensive
behavior? I would think that by praising the animal, that's what would
encourage more of the killing behavior! But I'm open to being educated
about this, from valid scientific sources.

The question I'm really asking is this: Is there any way in the world to
teach a cat the concept of compassion? That'd be a nice trick, eh? Like
maybe a cat who's been traumatized by a larger predatory animal like a dog
or a cayote might be able to develop some sense of identification with the
smaller victims they terrorize? No, I'm not suggesting throwing the cat to
a pack of cayotes! But I'm wondering, can cats be taught compassion, and if
so, how?

-Garret


"Garret Swayne" wrote in message
ink.net...
My cat Zacky is an indoor/outdoor cat, and he's forever bringing home prey
that he catches. Every week or so, I'll come home and find a bloody
lifeless bird in my living room (and the room full of feathers!) Or a
lizard. Or a mouse. Or these really weird worms that are not snails or
slugs, but look like snails without their shell. He also brings in these
really huge grasshoppers and then torture them to death, leaving large
insect carcasses throughout the house. It's like living with a feline
serial murderer! Occasionally, I'll catch him as he's bringing in his
captive still alive and as yet unharmed. So I'll give him a stern NO,
take it from his mouth, and carry it outside to release it. This kind of
****es him off, but I'm not sure what else to do.
I really want to discourage such behavior. Any ideas?

-Garret
garret at garretswayne dot com