Cats bring dead animals to people primarily because of their natural predatory instincts. Despite being domesticated and well-fed, cats retain the urge to hunt, which they satisfy by catching prey such as mice, birds, or lizards. Often, they bring these animals back to their "safe place" — which is their home and territory where they feel secure — to eat or store the prey safely. This behavior is similar to what wild cats do when they drag prey back to a protected spot to consume it later. Additionally, there are several other reasons cats may bring dead animals to their owners:
- Some cats view their owners as family members and bring prey to share food, mimicking their mother cats teaching survival skills or providing for their young.
- It can be a sign of affection or appreciation, as cats may express care by sharing their catch.
- They might be seeking attention or showing off their hunting skills.
- It can also be a way to mark territory, warning other predators by leaving evidence of successful hunting nearby.
Sometimes, cats bring prey simply as part of play or boredom, especially if they are not interested in eating the catch and leave it behind after the hunt. Overall, this behavior is a natural, instinctual expression of a cat's ancestral hunting drive and social behavior, not necessarily a literal gift with intent to please, though it can be interpreted as a sign of trust and comfort with their human family.
