need some cat advice

[yellowdawgdem]

I figure what's missing in the lounge is the variety of threads- so I wanted to share my cat problem(s) here with y'all, though it is a complicated one:

I have 2 cats, the first one is a rescue kitty, but she was rescued at a very young age. She has some of the characteristics of a rescue though, tends to want to be only with one person, and runs under the bed when any new person comes over to visit. Otherwise she is spoiled and self-confident, even queenlike.

Then the other cat is a 2 year old gray and white cat whom I've known since she was a tiny totter, running around our apartment complex. She was living with a family that had young children at that time, and opted out , then spent alot of time outside on her own, mostly. When she got pregnant, I took her in to get her "fixed" and since then have been feeding her and taking her to the vets when needed. She spends alot of time at my house, and gets along with my other kittie. However she spends alot of time at lots of other people's houses too, eats food there, and plays with their cats.
There are 2 main problems: She is a really good hunter and is often bringing in fresh kill, such as birds and/or mice. She doesn't kill them immediately, but catches them and lets them go, catches and lets them go, until they die from shock. I freak out every time she brings in a bird, and feel it is not very nice of her to chase them around the house leaving feathers and blood everywhere. I do not want to make her feel bad, since she is just being a cat. But I also do not want to encourage the behavior, and wonder how I should handle this- is it better to take the kill away and throw into the trash, if dead? Stay out of it? Not sure what to do.
Part of the problem is, she is in competition with the other cat for territory in the house. She has gained territory over time, but the first kittie insists on having the bed as her territory, and will not let her receive too much petting from me without getting really jealous, and trying to stop it. I have often wondered, could she be bringing in the kill as a way of competing for territory, or is it just an outdoor cat/indoor cat kind of thing, and also I just wondered if anyone had any experiences along the same lines.
thanks in advance.

[Kali]

1. It doesn't work

but when my cat catches mice I lock her in the bathroom with them and tell her good kitty (I encourage catching mice, that is her job. But I don't like when she plays wth them and leaves them under the laundry or somplace I can't readily see to clean up) When she catches lizards, snakes or birds I immediatley take them away and scold her.

Haven't seen any difference in behavior except that lots of times she takes her captures straight to the bathroom!

[yellowdawgdem]

9. well, she certainly seems to head for that bathroom

That seems like a good sign. I'm not sure I could put Little Gray in the bathroom, she'd thump on the door and meow her lungs out. I have, though, put her prey in the bathtub and shut her out of the bathroom. that way they have a chance to zap back to life, and if they don't, then I throw them away later on. Well, it seems that everyone so far is saying I should consider the animals she brings as "gifts" so I will try looking at it in that way. What I'm not sure how to do is let her know she's a good kittie and a good hunter, but that birds must not be brought into the house. I guess I'll try the bell, and hope for the best. :)

[oregonjen]

2. I think your cat is giving you "gifts"

It's my understanding that when cats bring back their prey, it is a gift and meal for the rest of the pride. You are a part of it's family and sharing the feast is part of being a cat. My cat plays with his prey and when it's dead, he'll try to eat it. We usually get the dead and throw it away. Our cat tries to find it after we discard it and doesn't know where it goes after we get it. He is never upset, just goes about his business.

[yellowdogintexas]

3. that is it exactly, food for the pride.

God I hate those presents.

Rats, squirrels, birds, mice.

ugh

[demnan]

4. You could get one of those safety collars with a bell

My cats wear them. I'm sure it helps warn the birds a little. Although I only let my cats out when I can watch them so I'm there to clap my hands and scare away birds anyway. And I agree that the nearly dead kills are a gift from the cat, probably she is trying to teach you how to hunt just like she would her kittens. :)

As far as the territory thing goes there isn't much you can do about it, but it does get better with time. My Siamese, Pad Thai will try to chase my Abby, Lily off the bed if he's throughly awake, but sometimes I can pursuade him to go back to his "bed" between my legs so Lily can cuddle on the pillow with me.

[yellowdawgdem]

8. I have thought about a bell

and wondered if that would save some of the birds. Unfortunately I have plenty of trouble getting her to wear a collar, it eventually comes off- but even so, if it worked for a few days or a week, that'd be great. Regarding the territory, I'm glad to know it gets better over time. It seems really heartless but then again I'm not a cat. I enjoyed hearing your technique for getting both cats on the bed. Sneaky but effective, eh?

[Rjnerd]

5. Teaching you to hunt.

If it was just food, it would get devoured on the spot, and not bring it home. You are her family, and she is bringing you things to practice your hunting skills on.

[commander bunnypants]

6. all i get are crickets

with no legs.

CB

[elehhhhna]

7. Yep a gift. Keep her indoors, It's safer.

[borlis]

10. My cats have always been "indoor cats"

They hunt each other and bother my big dog.

[bettyellen]

11. be careful with the bell collars.. a cat could hang himself if

it's not the right kind! Be careful with her going outdoors, we used to do this with our cats when i was a kid and we lost a couple that way. Tiger disappeared and i saw her 7 months later in a lot down the street one eye closed up and all scratched about the head and injured, and she wouldn't come to me. it was so sad . she sorta knew mw but it was like she was on crack or something.... she almost seemed embarrassed. this was the bronx in the seventies... We had tiger six or seven years before this and she just disappeared into the street life.
As far as the competition goes, just try to reward non obnoxious behaviour and use the bathroom when it's unbearable to you or when there a varmits about. Also, you should maybe clue yourself in as to what your pets could be picking up, virus and mite wise, from their kills.There's a lot of naty stuff going around with birds/ mice and i'd be careful if i ws you!

[yellowdawgdem]

13. Sometimes you just can't control

whether or not they'll be outside or inside. Most of the time you can influence them, but not all the time. I agree it's not as safe for them, and little gray has had some injuries and gotten into fights, all that. On the collar, maybe one of those soft stretchy collars with a jingle bell on it would be ok. I'm desperate here, lol!

[alittlelark]

12. I get moles. My dog and 1 of the cats hunt as a team

They walk around the garden, start circling, and then Maggie starts digging furiously. The two will then stand next to the hole for hours.

The first time I found a mole on the doorstep I thought it was the biggest rat I had ever seen! As I was 'cleaning it up' I saw the claws....Damn, moles are some wierd lookin' things!

Cats are predators outdoors, indoors they are watchers.

[yellowdawgdem]

14. I'd be interested to see a mole up close

I've seen some possums, and they are weird enough looking, but I bet moles have funny bulging eyes and maybe they are scarey too.