I've always accepted my cats' behaviour, including bringing in dead/alive rats, mice or birds etc. Living in the countryside, I'm quite ok about dealing with these things. Rather than trying to train or punish them, I work around it. For instance, removing things from weeing range, covering food with a plate on the counter top, using disinfectant spray after they've walked on a surface etc. Cats do like and get used to a routine, so mine know, for example, that I have a nap in the afternoon and they have theirs too in their beds. I agree about children though, Michael, because you can at least talk and explain things to them. I've never hit or smacked a cat. Their bones are quite fragile and it only makes them nervous and/or vicious. Even if you shout, it startles and frightens them. Perhaps I spoil mine, but I've had cats all my life and have always had success in living happily with them.