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My cat hunts and kills prey. Will a raw diet stop this behavior?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Savannah Cat | Male | neutered

Our cat, Gatsby, is very active and loves to be outside to hunt. Right now we feed him Natural Balance wet food and Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight dry food. He spends most of his time outside hunting (and succesfully killing birds/rats/rodents etc) and goes stir-crazy all winter with the snow. I'm wondering if you recommend changing his diet to something "raw" to cut back on his killing? Or if there is something else that would benefit him instead? Thank you!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 3rd, 2017

I think that if he is doing well on his current food (the Hill's or the Natural Balance) then they are fine to continue. It is unlikely changing his diet will change his habit of killing birds/rabbits/rodents. It in not likely due to hunger it is likely something he enjoys (as awful as that may sound to us!) and is a natural behavior for him. I don't normally recommend raw diets as there are risks when handling raw meat to the animal and to the owner (such as salmonella and e. coli). I think if you want him to stop killing you will have to either keep him inside, let him out in an enclosure, or you can try putting a bell on his collar in an attempt to warn off small critters (just be sure that it is a quick-release collar so he doesn't get himself hung on something and choke).

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    Answered By Mara Howard, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hunting behavior in cats can be hunger motivated but it can also just be an innate behavior for them. It sounds to me like he is getting adequate and proper nutrition, and switching to raw diet may not decrease the behavior. While it wouldn't be wrong to make a diet change, be aware that it may be unsuccessful. Good luck!

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