Eating Birds!

[DanTheMan]

We have a seven month old cat that is kept outdoors. Recently she has discovered that she has the ability to catch birds. She caught 2 or 3 in the past month but I've only ever found feathers. My past experience with cats is that they usually make a "present" of their kill at your doorstep. Initially, I thought our current cat was hiding her kills, but now I'm reasonably certain she is eating them. I've never heard of this before and was wondering how uncommon it is. Do cats have teeth capable of chewing up bird cartilege?

[Traci]

Yes they do.

Solution: Indoors ONLY.

[DanTheMan]

Thanks for the reply. Maybe this forum is predominantly house cat owners. I'm familiar with the arguments against outdoor living for cats. The decision for us to get a cat was based on it staying outdoors for a variety of personal reasons. Our cat actually stays in a screened in porch at night and is quite comfortable in her insulated house I just built. I was just curious how uncommon this bird-eating characteristic is.

[Traci]

Curious, what are those personal reasons? You're referring to a 7-month-old kitten, totally defenseless in an outdoor environment. Is she spayed? Vaccinated?

Sorry to be blunt, but a cat kept outdoors is not truly "domesticated", and will of course, hunt for prey/food, and will of course, have a shortened life-span due to obvious outdoor hazards.

Have you given any thought to the birds in your area who are at risk because you allow your cat outdoors? Hope you have forgiving bird-loving neighbors (unlikely).

Sorry, but this forum totally advocates indoor-only cats. If you don't want to be responsible for a pet, then don't get one.

[JUDY S]

Hi there Dan.

It is very common for cats to eat birds. If they are outdoor cats they will eat almost anything they can catch. There is a certain breed of mice that they will kill but not eat.

[DanTheMan]

Judy,
Thanks for your response to the question I asked and leaving the opinions aside.

Dan

[JUDY S]

No problem.

I know that sometimes you can't have indoor only cats, but still care about them. Unfortunately I lost three cats to the nasty outdoors before I vowed never again. I still wish I would have kept them safe and that they were still with me.

[Luv my kitty]

I have had a good solution (I think) to keeping indoor cats, but allowing them outside access too. I had a cat fence built in my backyard.
That is a fence that has a flexible, bent over flap (don't kow what to call it) but the cats cannot climb out of it and animals cannot get in.
The main fence is wire but the top is flexible and bent toward the inside.

You can find them on the internet if you will search. I just had mine built by fence builders, but you can order kits for them.
They are enjoying it outside now that the weather is cooler. Of course I still keep checking on them and I keep them inside at night, but I feel they are as safe as I can make it for them.

[Traci]

Those fences are not safe, and will NOT deter a determined cat.