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If you’ve ever found a toy, a leaf, or even an unfortunate critter at your feet, you might have wondered why your cat felt the need to present you with such a “gift.” While it may seem puzzling or even a bit unsettling, this behavior is actually one of the most meaningful ways your cat shows they care about you.

Far from being a random act, bringing you these gifts is your cat’s way of expressing affection, trust, and their natural instincts as a hunter. Let’s explore why your cat brings you gifts and what it really means.

A Display of Affection and Trust

When your cat brings you a gift, they’re not just dropping something at your feet—they’re making a deliberate choice to share something important with you. In the wild, cats would bring their prey back to their family as a way of sharing resources and showing care.

By bringing you a gift, your cat is showing that they see you as part of their family, someone they trust and care for deeply. It’s their way of saying, “I care about you enough to share my success with you.”

Honoring Their Hunting Instincts

Cats are natural hunters, and this instinct doesn’t disappear just because they live indoors. When your cat catches a toy, a bug, or even something they’ve found outside, they’re tapping into their hunting instincts.

By bringing you the results of their “hunt,” they’re not only fulfilling their natural behavior but also including you in the process. It’s their way of saying, “Look what I’ve caught! I want to share this with you.” While the gift might not always be welcome, the sentiment behind it is rooted in their instinct to provide for their family.

A Gesture of Teaching and Sharing

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In the wild, mother cats often bring prey to their kittens to teach them how to hunt and survive. When your cat brings you a gift, they may be exhibiting a similar behavior, trying to teach you or share their skills with you.

While you might not need a lesson in hunting, your cat doesn’t know that—they simply want to share what they’ve learned and accomplished. It’s a sign that they view you as a close companion, someone they want to help and nurture.

Strengthening the Bond Between You

Bringing you gifts is also a way for your cat to strengthen the bond between you. This behavior is a form of interaction, a way for your cat to engage with you and reinforce your connection.

Even if the gift isn’t something you particularly want, accepting it (or at least acknowledging it) can help deepen the bond you share. It’s a moment of communication and mutual recognition, a small but significant way your cat shows they value your relationship.

Seeking Your Approval and Attention

Cats are often more social than they get credit for, and bringing you a gift can be a way of seeking your approval and attention. By presenting you with something they’ve found or caught, your cat is looking for a reaction—whether it’s praise, petting, or simply your acknowledgment. This behavior is a sign that your cat values your opinion and wants to please you, much like how they might nuzzle you or purr when they’re seeking affection.

The Thought Behind the Gift

So, the next time your cat brings you a “gift,” remember that it’s more than just an offering—it’s a heartfelt gesture filled with affection, trust, and a desire to share their world with you. While the gift itself might not always be something you’d choose, the sentiment behind it is one of care and connection. Your cat is saying, in their own unique way, “I care about you, and I want to share this with you.”

• Johnson-Bennett, P. (2011). Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss. Penguin Books.
• Bradshaw, J. (2013). Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet. Basic Books.