Why Do Cats Hunt and How Can a Balanced Diet Help?

Cats are natural-born hunters. Whether your feline friend is an outdoor explorer or a house cat, the drive to hunt is deeply ingrained in their instincts. As carnivores and solitary hunters, cats have developed the ability to catch small prey like rodents and birds to survive. But even with regular meals provided by their owners, some cats still feel the urge to hunt. Why is this, and how can feeding your cat a balanced, high-protein diet reduce their hunting behaviour? Let’s explore.

The Instinct to Hunt: Why Do Domestic Cats Do It?

Even though our pet cats don’t need to hunt for survival, their instincts still drive them to stalk and capture prey. This is part of their evolutionary make-up as solitary hunters, especially since they are carnivores. In the wild, cats need to hunt multiple times a day to meet their energy needs. For example, a cat that doesn’t receive food from its owner might make up to 10 kills a day, spending anywhere from three to 10 hours hunting.

While this behaviour is natural, it can be problematic for pet owners, especially if your cat is regularly bringing small animals back into the house. While it may seem like a nuisance, it’s just your cat following their genetic instincts. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce this hunting behaviour.

How a Balanced Diet Can Curb Hunting Behaviour

One of the most effective ways to reduce your cat’s hunting drive is by ensuring they are fed a balanced diet with a high meat content. A cat's natural diet is based heavily on animal proteins, and by providing them with food that closely mimics what they would eat in the wild, you can help satisfy their carnivorous cravings.

ACANA and ORIJEN are two premium cat food brands that focus on providing biologically appropriate diets rich in animal proteins. Both brands use high-quality, fresh ingredients designed to mimic the natural prey of cats. Here’s how they can help:

ACANA Cat Food

ACANA cat food is packed with fresh, regionally sourced meats, and offers a diet that is rich in protein and low in carbohydrates. Its WholePrey diet, which includes meat, organs, and cartilage, provides all the nutrients your cat would naturally get from hunting small animals. By feeding your cat ACANA, you’re ensuring they get the animal proteins they need, potentially reducing their drive to hunt.

ORIJEN Cat Food

ORIJEN goes a step further with its focus on biologically appropriate nutrition. ORIJEN's formulas contain up to 90% animal ingredients, including fresh, raw meat, fish, and poultry. This high level of animal protein mimics the diet your cat would hunt for in the wild. When cats are satisfied by nutrient-dense meals like ORIJEN’s, their need to hunt for prey decreases. Additionally, ORIJEN’s recipes are grain-free, which is ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.

Other Tips to Reduce Hunting Behaviour

While feeding your cat a protein-rich diet like ACANA or ORIJEN can reduce their desire to hunt, there are other strategies you can implement:

1. Feed Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Cats are natural grazers, used to making small kills throughout the day. By offering smaller, more frequent meals, you can help mimic their hunting patterns and keep them satisfied.
2. Playtime: Regular play sessions with toys that mimic prey (like feathers or laser pointers) can help channel your cat’s hunting instincts into safe, indoor play. This keeps them mentally stimulated and less likely to seek out real prey.
3. Timing Outdoor Access: If keeping your cat indoors isn’t feasible, consider restricting their outdoor time during peak hunting hours (dawn and dusk). This can reduce their chances of bringing home unwanted "gifts."

A Satisfied Cat Is Less Likely to Hunt

Hunting is a natural part of your cat’s behaviour, but it doesn’t mean you have to let them wreak havoc on the local wildlife. By feeding your cat a balanced, meat-rich diet like ACANA or ORIJEN, you’re giving them the high-quality nutrition they need to feel satisfied. This can help reduce their instinctual need to hunt and keep both your cat and the local critters happier.

Give your cat the best start with a biologically appropriate diet, and watch how their energy and contentment improve while their hunting urges fade.