NEARLY all cat owners will have experienced the horror of finding a dead animal on their carpet.

       But many are left scratching their heads as to why. Cat behaviourist and author Anita Kelsey explains everything you need to know.

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       Cats often bring their owners dead animals Credit: Getty Why do cats bring you dead animals?

       It's all down to survival instinct.

       Cats are born hunters so it's no surprise they bring in dead - or sometimes still just about alive - animals to their owners.

       In the wild, mother cats teach their young how to survive, which of course includes finding food and eating it.

       And it's the same for domesticated moggies too.

       However, many modern day felines have no offspring to pass down their hunting knowledge to, so instead they look to their owners.

       Anita, author of Let's Talk About Cats, told The Sun Online: "Cats are natural hunters and predation is part of their makeup.

       "Cats bring home animals they have hunted and killed as the home is the core safe area for cats - so it makes sense to bring the prey/catch home to an area they feel comfortable and secure."

       What does it mean when your cat brings you things?

       If a cat's owner takes the place of its kitty family, a dead animal is a symbol of its care for you.

       The pet is trying to teach you how to survive on your own, presenting its catch as it would to its young.

       Anita said: "Cats may be bringing home the 'kill' for us as part of the feline family."

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       How to stop cats bringing in dead animals

       The need for cats to hunt is hard-wired into them, but there are some things you can do to slow the stream of dead animals turning up on your doorstep.

       Put a bell on your cat's collar - The noise will alert potential prey to make a move as the cat approaches. Place bird feeders high up in the garden - This will make them harder for the cat to reach. Attach a squirrel deterrent to the bird feeder pole - Not only will this keep the squirrels at bay, it will deter the cat too. Keep your cat in at night and early morning - This is the time the critters that cats hunt are out and about and most vulnerable. Wear your cat out - If you spend time playing with your cat, using toys like stuffed mice which mimic kill, they may become too tired to go out and do it for real.

       Anita added: "It's difficult to stop a totally natural action for the feline species but things can be put into place to help the wildlife!

       "These are some of the things which can help with the natural prey drive of cats."

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