Well, what the hell did you think was going to happen to it?

It always happens just like that.

Less than five minutes after it's cleaned, they use it.

It never fails. EVER.

Dat tail. Also, it's bound to happen.

I always thought it was the cats warped sense of thanking you for a job well done.

Sort of how like they bring you dead things as presents.

It's territorial marking; if you go wiping out their claims, of course they're going to re-stake them.

The "dead things as presents" behaviour is less certain, but the common theory these days seems to be that they think you suck at hunting, so they'll try to teach you. This would certainly explain the "not-quite-dead things as presents" aspect...

UnnamedYoukai said:
I always thought it was the cats warped sense of thanking you for a job well done.

Sort of how like they bring you dead things as presents.

I have seen a theory that if cat brings you dead things, it is a warning that the cat wants to kill you.
http://www.catswhothrowupgrass.com/kill.php

06cloud said:
I have seen a theory that if cat brings you dead things, it is a warning that the cat wants to kill you.
http://www.catswhothrowupgrass.com/kill.php

I've also seen a theory that if cat brings you dead things, it means the cat thinks that you're not a capable enough leader for the cat, and that the cat thinks you're not good enough to 'hunt' for your own food.

In short:
Cat: "WORK AND BRING ME GOOD FOOD, YOU LAZY ASS MASTER!! OR ELSE I'LL TAKE OVER YOUR ROLE AS MASTER OF THE HOUSE!! Oh well, for now, it's LUNCHTIME!!"
(then it brings you a dead mouse)

I find that a bit hard to swallow as the only cat I had that really did that extensively when I was a kid was also the nicest cat I ever had.

Had horrible breath though.

When you gotta go you GOTTA go man!

From what I've read, cat display that "hunting" behavior is 'cause domesticated cats lives in a psychological state of extended kitten-hood, and the bringing dead thing part is to prove their hunting skill toward their parents.

TheEverlastingRain said:
Dat tail.

It's missing.

At least Ran got to finish cleaning. Mine jumps in while I'm in the middle of it!