Why Does My Cat Bring Me Things Found Outside?

Have you ever wondered why your cat brings you things they find outside? This fascinating behavior is one of the many quirks of feline nature that endears cats to their human families. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior can help us appreciate our feline friends even more.

The Catalytic Attitude: Cats as Entitled Creatures

Cats have a unique way of making us feel loved and worshipped. Their behavior is often seen as a display of supreme entitlement and narcissism. Despite this, we adore them for it. When a cat brings you a gift, it's often a sign of their affection. This act can range from a simple leaf to a larger prey like a bird, depending on the cat's hunting skills and age.

Some believe that when a cat brings you something, it's a way of treating you as a part of their family. They leave their "prize" to showcase their hunting prowess and seek admiration. The thought that counts in this context is the effort and care the cat has put into the gift, not its value.

The Range of Gifts: From Leaves to Birds

Each cat has its own way of displaying this behavior. Some cats are more selective in their gifts, while others are more whimsical. For instance, my daughter's cat, Jess, would bring parts of old socks or even a wet floorcloth collected from a neighbor's house. Other cats, like mine, might bring live bees or even dead rats. The variety of gifts can be quite alarming and amusing at the same time.

Take for example the time I came home from work to find a huge rat laid out on the livingroom rug. Another memorable moment was the time a sparrow escaped from the cat and ended up behind a dresser. The attempt to rescue it was a Keystone Cops-style comedy of errors as I tried to get the bird free. Nonetheless, it showed that the cat was trying to bring something important to my attention.

Positive Attitude and Appreciation

No matter the reason behind the cats' gifts, it's clear that they see us as part of their family. This behavior reflects a positive attitude towards us, which ensures that we feel valued and appreciated in their household. Even if we might not always understand the full intent behind the gift, it's a sweet gesture that shows our feline friends care about us.

When a cat brings you something, it's a reminder of their unique and sometimes perplexing behaviors that make them so lovable. So, while these gifts may sometimes be startling, they are also endearing and a testament to the bond between a cat and its human family.