Cats have an innate hunting ability, and are natural predators in the wild. The instinct to hunt and kill is strong in cats, and can be seen when they catch and play with mice, birds, and other small animals. While cats may not always be successful in their hunting endeavors, they do have a strong instinct to hunt and kill. However, a cat's instinct to kill is not always as strong as its instinct to hunt. In fact, some cats may be more likely to avoid killing their prey, opting instead to play with it or let it go. This is likely due to the cats’ natural aversion to killing, as they prefer to avoid harming their prey when possible. Furthermore, cats that have been domesticated may no longer have the same instinct to kill as their wild relatives. This is because they have been bred to be more docile and less likely to hunt and kill. Therefore, it is important to remember that not all cats have an instinct to kill, and that domesticated cats are generally less likely to do so than their wild counterparts.