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Cats are natural hunters. The upside of this is that they are energetic, fun pets that love to play and explore. However, the downside is that they occasionally kill wild birds, and if you’re particularly unlucky (or lucky, from your cat’s perspective), they will bring them back to you as a present.
As a cat owner, you not only have a responsibility to take care of your cat but also to limit the impact that cat has on the local ecosystem. This is one of the many ethical concerns that pet owners must consider.
In this article, I want to take an even-handed look at the issue and suggest some ways that could help reduce the likelihood of your cat killing birds.
Why do cats catch birds?
Cats have inherited their hunting instincts from their wild ancestors. Domesticated cats don’t need to hunt for their food, so to them, hunting is a form of play. This is why it’s common for cats to kill birds and other small animals and then not eat them. Hunting provides them with both mental and physical stimulation.
Cats will also bring dead birds back home as an offering. Which is very kind of them, but not something you really want to deal with. One time one of my cats brought back two baby sparrows, one dead one to play with and another one that was alive but had a broken wing. He deposited the living bird next to his sister’s cat bed for her to play with. I then spent 10 minutes chasing an injured sparrow around the house with a Perspex box, trying to catch it!
Impact on bird populations
There is very little hard data about how big of an impact domesticated cats have on wild bird populations. You will see some very alarmist statistics thrown about making claims that “each domestic cat kills over 20 birds a year.” However, almost every cat owner will tell you that their cat bringing back a dead bird is fairly rare. Out of all my cats, I only have one that regularly catches birds and mice, and even then, “regularly” means maybe 2-4 times a year.
It’s likely that most bird deaths from cats are the result of wild cats and stray cats, as these cats need to hunt to stay alive. That said, there are millions of domesticated cats in this country, and they will no doubt have some impact on wild bird populations.
Strategies to Stop Cats Catching and Killing Birds
Trim Low-Hanging Trees and Bushes
One effective way to reduce your cat’s hunting opportunities is by trimming low-hanging trees and bushes. Birds often nest or rest in these areas, making them easy targets for cats. By keeping these areas trimmed high, you reduce the likelihood of your cat encountering birds at ground level.
Providing mental and physical stimulation inside
The more engaged and enriched your cat feels, the less likely they are to seek entertainment by killing wild birds. Puzzle feeders, regular play sessions, and toys that mimic small animals can help to satiate your cat’s hunting instincts in a more peaceful manner.
Supervised outdoor time
Allowing your cats some outside time but supervised can provide a good balance. Cat leashes can allow them to explore a small distance without being able to run off into bushes or trees where they could find and kill birds.
Distractions For Your Cat
My cats love their bird toy. This bird toy for cats is very simple, but they love it. It’s a long, bendy pole with a bird toy attached to it. My cats can leap up and “catch” the bird, and then as soon as they let go, it bounces straight back, and they can begin trying to catch it again. I like to think that part of the reason my cats don’t catch and bring back dead birds from outside is that they can satisfy that impulse using this toy. I also have another cat who has always refused to go outside, and I like that this toy lets her still experience some of the fun of being outside chasing birds, which she would otherwise never get to have.
Using toys like this can help redirect your cat’s hunting instincts and spare the local bird populations their wrath.
Final Thoughts: Stop Your Cat Killing Birds
In conclusion, finding a balance between your cat’s happiness and the local wildlife is the trick. As you will now understand, there are some small changes you can make to your cat’s environment and behaviour that can have an impact on the threat they pose to birds.
While the only surefire way to keep birds safe is to keep your cat inside 24/7, I understand that most people don’t feel comfortable doing that (including myself). What’s important is that you make the changes that you feel comfortable making.