Domestic cats are skilled hunters – but their urge to hunt doesn't always stem from hunger. Even well-fed cats will stalk, chase, and pounce on prey. This is natural behaviour, and the ability to show some of these behaviours is important for their mental wellbeing. Knowing why domestic cats have a need to perform behaviours associated with hunting can help owners care for their cats' behavioural needs and protect local wildlife at the same time.

Why this matters now

In New Zealand, there is growing national interest in cats due to increasing concern over the impact of feral and unmanaged cats on native wildlife. While that spotlight often focuses on unowned or wild cat populations, it’s equally important to consider how this concern also relates to our companion cats. This article aims to help pet guardians better understand why som cats are so motivated to show predatory behaviour, and how best to meet those needs responsibly – without putting our native species at risk.

The evolutionary basis of hunting

Hunting is deeply embedded in a cat’s evolutionary history. All members of the Felidae family, including domestic cats (Felis catus), are obligate carnivores with highly developed predatory skills. Unlike some other predators, domestic cats tend to hunt multiple small meals throughout the day rather than relying on a single large kill. This trait persists regardless of whether food is readily available.

Kittens begin to develop hunting behaviour early in life. From around 3 to 5 weeks of age, kittens start refining their motor coordination through play. Play with littermates helps them practice skills like stalking and pouncing. From 6 to 8 weeks of age, mother cats often bring prey to the nest, allowing kittens to observe and imitate hunting sequences (Bradshaw, 2013).

The psychology of hunting

Cats experience significant neurological stimulation from associated with predatory behaviour. Predation can be broken down into several phases: searching, stalking, chasing, capturing, and consuming. Research shows that the so called ‘appetitive phase’ – which includes the searching and stalking – activates the dopamine system in the brain. Since we know that dopamine is associated with motivation and pleasure-seeking, this suggests that cats will feel good (ie the behaviour is rewarded) even if the hunt ends unsuccessfully.

This internal feedback loop makes the act of hunting (even without a successful outcome) self-reinforcing. In fact it has been suggested that simply observing prey-like movements can trigger a dopamine release. So, it's not the actual killing and consuming of prey, but the process (the appetitive phase) that provides a satisfying mental and physical challenge. This explains why interactive play with toys that mimic prey movement can be highly enjoyable and beneficial to domestic cats.

It's not the actual killing and/or consuming, but the process leading up to it that provides a satisfying mental and physical challenge

Enrichment and welfare

This is important because from an animal welfare perspective, it’s essential for owners to understand that their cats do not need to hunt live prey to be happy or fulfilled. Instead, they require the opportunity to express natural hunting behaviours associated with the appetitive phase (ie the searching, stalking and pouncing). This means that domestic cats that are well fed can be positively mentally stimulated through experiencing a non-harmful alternative to satisfying their natural predatory behaviour. A study by Cecchetti et al. (2021) found that providing cats with toys, play sessions, and food puzzles can meet their behavioural needs while also significantly reducing their predation on wildlife.

A key message for cat owners is that preventing a cat from hunting actual wildlife – does not appear to compromise their wellbeing if they are offered well managed non harmful behavioural and environmental enrichment activities.

Practical tips for cat guardians

To provide for domestic cat’s natural predatory instincts, we suggest the following strategies:

Interactive play: Schedule 2–3 play sessions daily if possible, using wand toys with various attachments that mimic different types of prey, such as feathers or small plush toys. You can also use small robotic toys that mimic prey movement or laser pointers, but these should be used sparingly and safely. If using lasers or prey-like toys, its important to keep sessions short and always finish with a toy your cat can physically catch to avoid frustration or repetitive behaviours.

Toy rotation: Change toys frequently to keep your cat’s interest high.

Environmental enrichment: Offer hiding places, climbing towers, and window perches to stimulate natural searching behaviours.

Food puzzles and foraging toys: Turn mealtime into a food searching or hunting opportunity.

Containment: To prevent unsupervised roaming, if appropriate keep cats indoors or in a contained area, especially during dawn and dusk when birds and other wildlife are most active or at risk. Cat containment can be a point of controversy among cat owners, and currently, Companion Animals New Zealand does not take a position on whether permanent indoor-only containment is appropriate for all cats. However, we do promote responsible pet guardianship and suggest that this involves keeping cats on their owner's property, microchipping and registration on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) as well as early desexing – as a way to protect both pets and also safeguard wildlife.

Wildlife-friendly collars: Use a brightly coloured collar, such as those with a frilly or patterned design, to help warn birds and reduce your cat’s hunting success if they go outdoors (Willson et al., 2015). While bells have traditionally been used, some studies suggest they may not be effective for all prey types and could potentially be stressful for cats. Visual deterrents like a brightly coloured collar such as the Birdsbesafe® collar covers, have shown greater success in reducing bird predation without causing discomfort.

Respect local rules: Adhere to regional/council bylaws regarding cat management, especially near areas where there may be vulnerable wildlife such as conservation areas and reserves.

By implementing these techniques, cat guardians can provide their pets with a good quality of life while reducing their impact on our native birds, wildlife and ecosystems.

Some extra tips!

Feed high protein diets:
Research suggests that feeding cats a diet high in meat protein and incorporating daily play can significantly reduce hunting of wild animals (Cecchetti et al., 2021). Ensuring your cat is nutritionally satisfied may reduce their motivation to seek out prey.
Play just before feeding:
Simulating a hunt before meals (chase, pounce, catch a toy) followed by food mimics the natural hunting-eating cycle and satisfies behavioural drives more effectively.
Avoid releasing toys too soon:
Let your cat “capture” the toy at the end of play – don’t just stop suddenly. The satisfaction of a completed hunting sequence may help meet their psychological needs more.
Use puzzle feeders outdoors (in enclosed spaces):
If you allow your cat outdoor access, offering food in a puzzle feeder keeps them engaged and less interested in real prey.
Provide scent enrichment:
Cats rely heavily on scent. Use toys or play areas with catnip, silvervine, or valerian root to stimulate interest and reduce boredom that might lead to outdoor hunting behaviour.
Keep an eye on seasonal prey availability:
Wildlife is especially vulnerable during nesting or fledgling seasons (spring/summer in NZ). Consider keeping your cat indoors or restricted to a catio more strictly during these periods.
Use activity trackers:
Some pet tech can help monitor your cat’s outdoor activity and detect patterns, giving you insights into when and where your cat may be most active as a hunter. This can inform better containment or enrichment strategies.
Gradual transition to indoors or limited access:
If you're considering transitioning your cat to being indoors or contained, do it gradually with increased enrichment and stimulation. Sudden restriction without added stimulation may cause stress or behavioural issues associated with frustration.

Conclusion

Predatory behaviour is more than a survival strategy for cats – it’s an essential part of who they are. Providing opportunities for cats to express the appetitive activities involved in hunting in safe, controlled and non-harmful ways supports their wellbeing and helps protect New Zealand’s unique and vulnerable wildlife.

References:

Bradshaw, J. (2013). Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet. Basic Books.

Cecchetti, M., Crowley, S. L., & McDonald, R. A. (2021). Provision of high meat protein food and object play reduce predation of wild animals by domestic cats. Current Biology, 31(5), R167–R168.
Ellis, S. L. H. (2009). Environmental enrichment: Practical strategies for improving feline welfare. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11(11), 901–912.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2009.09.011

Willson, Susan & Okunlola, I.A. & Novak, J.A.. (2015). Birds be safe: Can a novel cat collar reduce avian mortality by domestic cats (Felis catus)?. Global Ecology and Conservation. 30.

Willson, S. K., Okunlola, I. A., & Novak, J. A. (2015). Birds be safe: Can a novel cat collar reduce avian mortality by domestic cats (Felis catus)? Global Ecology and Conservation, 3, 359–366.