Why does my cat leave dead birds in my garden?

[Penwoir]

I know this is an unsavory subject to some but why does my darling little 4 year old cat leave nasty little surprises in my back garden.  I guess I know the real answer, but if she's not going to eat it, why does she do it? 

[vp44]

I think it's a gift for you. Maybe also getting rid of varmint's that may be eating pieces of your garden.

[rusgiftsaolcom]

It could be your cat way of looking for praise by letting you see.

[Nancy5]

When a cat kills a bird, mouse, or anything and brings it home, it is like a gift to you.  They are proud of what they did and want to bring it to their master for praise.

[jmccaskill]

You could buy her a little kitty shovel so she could bury her murder victims! 

[msmoneybags48]

I agree with the posts saying that cats would like praise from you for their kill.  In addition, I will add that dogs bury their kill because they think they will be in trouble.   Maybe you should have gotten a dog.

[remediagirl]

I used to have a cat that would leave little dead presents for me too. He always left them on the porch or right next to my bed though. I would have preferred him to leave them in the garden. haha

[nmsmith]

They say its supposed to be a present to their owners, I say Its there way of reminding us (or their owners) that as cute as they are, the are really ferocious deep down inside.... I am an owner of 2 cats, they both just turned up missing a few days ago... I am missing them alot...

[tjung10]

At least he is not leaving them in your bed!

[Timberlan127]

Cats want everyone to know that they are doping their job. My cat leaves us a present almost daily on the walk. It's their trophy for being quick enough to catch their prey. Birds are as much prey to them as mice. 

[lgemini]

They really respect you and they love you so much. They are giving you a wonderful gift, my cat years ago gave me dead mice.    This is the way they express their love to you and all you have to do is say thank you and clean up the birds.  Over time they will stop.........

[autumnsparklemom]

We have neighborhood cats that have left worse on our back porch like dead rat guts! UGH!

[Penwoir]

I know this is an unsavory subject to some but why does my darling little 4 year old cat leave nasty little surprises in my back garden.  I guess I know the real answer, but if she's not going to eat it, why does she do it? 

My first cat bought a baby rabbit in through the cat flap.  The rabbit hid behind the washing machine until my husband could catch it in the cat carrier.  Unfortunately before we could take it to the vet it died. 

[jcalexis]

  I think the cat did not mean to kill the birds. It meant to play with them. I guess.

[Cuppycake]

I think it's a gift for you. Maybe also getting rid of varmint's that may be eating pieces of your garden.

Yep it is. He wants to "teach you" how to hunt lol!