My cat steals things from neighbours: what should I do?

You noticed that your cat regularly reports stolen items from your neighbors and that causes you confusion? You are not alone in this situation and there are explanations as well as solutions to remedy this behavior. Discover the reasons behind these unexpected “gifts” and how to act to minimize the chances of recurrence.

Understanding Your Cat’s Hunting Instinct

First of all, it is essential to understand that your cat often acts according to its natural predatory instinct. Although our domestic felines are generally fed and pampered, they retain their primal need to hunt. This can manifest itself in different ways, including capturing live prey such as birds or rodents, but also grabbing various objects.

Stolen objects: substitute prey?

Cats are opportunistic animals that can sometimes divert their hunting instincts to less conventional objects. Items stolen from neighbors may therefore be perceived by your cat as substitute prey, which he proudly brings home to offer them to you as a “gift”. Indeed, it is not uncommon for cats to consider their humans as members of their family and wish to share their hunting prowess with them.

Stealing triggers

Several elements can encourage a cat to steal objects from neighbors. It is important to identify these factors in order to find appropriate solutions.

Food: a difficult goal to resist

If your cat steals food from your neighbours, it may be due to a irresistible attraction to certain foods. Even if you provide him with a balanced, quality diet, he may be tempted by a tantalizing smell from the garden or the kitchen next door.

Boredom and stress: aggravating factors

A bored or stressed cat may develop problematic behaviors such as stealing. Give your pet stimulating activities and moments of relaxation can help him channel his energy and reduce his cravings for pilfering.

The territory: a major issue for cats

Cats are territorial animals that mark their space with their claws, urine and facial pheromones. If your cat perceives the territory of your neighbors as part of its domain, it may be tempted to venture there and bring back objects as a sign of dominance.

How to react to flight behavior?

If your cat persists in stealing things from neighbours, it is imperative to put in place solutions to avoid possible conflicts with them and guarantee the safety of your animal.

Identify and return stolen items

First of all, it should be recognize stolen items and return them to their owners when possible. An open and sincere discussion with your neighbors can defuse tensions and find compromises to limit thefts.

1. Establish a dialogue with neighbors: explain the situation to them and ask for their understanding.
2. Render objects: if the owners can be identified, return the stolen items to them.
3. Be diplomatic: be respectful and offer solutions to prevent the problem from happening again.

Provide adequate physical and mental stimulation

Make sure your cat has a nurturing environment, with enough toys, cat trees and opportunities to climb, explore and exercise. Also consider giving him time for interactive play sessions and cuddling.

Monitor and limit outside exits

Finally, an effective solution to avoid thefts can be to limit your cat’s outings. You can opt for a secure enclosure in your garden or consider leash training for controlled walks. In any case, carefully monitor the comings and goings of your pet to prevent possible harm.

By following these tips, you should be able to reduce the chances of your cat continuing to steal items from your neighbors and thus maintain good relations with them. Remember that communication and mutual understanding are key to solving these kinds of problems between neighbors.