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Dear Dr. John,
Our cat spends a good period of time outdoors for six months of the 12 months. He is an excellent hunter, however he drives me loopy when he brings home useless animals he has caught. The vary of species is kind of spectacular however why does he do that? Also, I heard that Easter crops are probably harmful. I’m concerned with our church and am fascinated with bringing some crops home after companies on Easter Sunday. Should I be involved? P.H.
Dear P.H.,
There are many believable causes for why your cat could carry his prey home. The most properly accepted is that it’s a survival intuition to carry home what they’ve hunted to offer for you in a place they really feel at home. It’s almost as if the cat needs to share the prey with you, not that you’d wish to eat it! A cat would do that if they’d a gaggle of different cats to share with, however you might be it. What you observe is extra prevalent with females as that is the way in which they educate their young to outlive, if they’ve kittens. It can also be thought that bringing home useless animals that he has caught is a method of exhibiting you his gratitude for offering for him as you do. What is necessary is that captured and killed prey of varied species could also be diseased so one should rigorously deal with and eliminate any carcasses introduced home.
If you wish to cut back his deliveries, you’ll be able to take into account placing a bell on a collar that can alert any prey so they could get away earlier than being caught. Alternatively, play with him extra and tire him out or preserve him inside. As for Easter lilies, these crops are extremely poisonous to cats if ingested, so it’s best to keep away from all of them collectively or make sure that they’re out of attain of the cat! The leaves and even the gorgeous pollen is harmful and might trigger irreversible and deadly kidney injury. I might keep away from bringing the attractive lilies home after church however, in case you should carry some home, keep watch over your cat. Any signal of vomiting generally is a signal of an emergency nature needing to be seen by a veterinarian. Happy Easter!
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He will be reached at 781-899-9994.
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