What to do when Milo sits, stares, pounces, stabs and captures?

I’d be happier with a piece of fried chicken but not a dead duck. I guess with all the woods and wildlife here, I cannot prevent this with an outdoor cat, can I?

If he’s going to roam, he is going to hunt. It’s what cats do. I used to have a screened in outside area that included a tree and grass, and elevated perches so that the cats could be outside, but also be safe. It kept other critters safe as well. But that’s really a long term solution. You might find half-dead or dead animals on your porch soon. A little gift from Milo.

“Nature, red in tooth and claw,” as Alfred said.

There is not much you can do except hope that he is not successful a lot. The other option is keep him indoors. if he is killing and eating wild things regularly, he will need to be checked for worms regularly too.

Who’s the checker? Me? What do I check? (Don’t answer that.)

Vet can test or you can examine his stool or you can just worm him at intervals.

He didn’t know I was spying on him and appeared to be carrying the rodent carefully in his mouth and heading towards the house. I suspect it was going to be a gift and not dinner.

gail, does he wear a collar?

I always put bells on my Martha – she was a fierce huntress. It didn’t always stop the killing (those stupid, stupid cardinals), but it cut down on the massacres.

gail, are you allowed to be the first to answer/comment on your own question? Moderators?

Syz: yes; double bells. He was sly though and sat motionless for longer than I thought possible. Then a leap that was blurred.

Strat: It is a technique to enable me to keep the question short.

@strat Lighten up.

@syz great idea!

@gc Brilliant Milo adapting!

Yeah, it’s their instinct. But apparently, THEY have to pick the fight. The other night I found a mid-sized rat in our garbage can scurrying about, and Cinderella was all “hey, what’s goin’ on in there?” So I dropped her in, and it’s like I threw her down on a mini trampoline! She came back out with more energy that when she went in!

You should also remember, that, while very cute, chipmunks are pretty much designed to be food for everything. They’re like rabbits – too stupid to survive. (And they eat your bulbs and plant roots.)

Yes, the bells will help in some cases, but it sounds as if Milo has some skill. You’d better keep a pair of gloves in the house for disposing of “gifts”.

@strat Yes, I have had several cats who would drop prizes off in the house alive, and then sit back and watch the show.

I know how bunnies survive…wink wink ;)

(There’s a reason they breed like that….)

OK. Always leave ‘em laughing, Syz.

Without you, my beloved Fluther cat mavens, Milo would be home alone – running this establishment by himself and I would be in the woods, eating chipmunks,

Well, then, let’s just see that you stay fluthered!

gail, if he’s going to bring you chipmunks, just check under the bed sometimes to make sure they aren’t under there rotting. Also, if he’s going to be eating prey indoors, you need to know that the gall bladder is always left over because it has a nasty taste, so if you see a little grey thing that looks shiny and puffy and is shaped like a kidney bean, don’t step on it.
And don’t think it’s a nice little snack. it’s not.
Not that I think you would eat a little snack off the floor.
But he might put it on the table for you. Or on a plate.

He will also soon figure out that mouse snouts are overly crunchy because full of teeth and will leave the front ends of his mouse heads for you. He will eat the brains. Delish.
Bon appetit.

@all; Why didn’t you tell me these things while the 30-day refundable policy was still valid?

@susanc My cat Bianca ate the front ends and left the rumps.

And where exactly is the dotted line on a mouse to differentiate?

Well some of my cats did what Blanca did, but since the current cat is the current favorite, I just reported on his preferences.
The dotted line is that little perforation you see when you take a live chipmunk and… oh, you’d prefer not to “take a live chipmunk”? Well, we’ll take a break and come back later on this question.