Cats are hunters, but most cat owners want to know how to stop cats killing birds because we’re not so keen on the gifts the bring us, especially if they’re bringing them in the house.
Even domestic cats who have all the best cat treats and the right number of meals each day will have the urge to hunt – that’s why so many of the best cat toys are designed to tap into their natural instincts. And while our pets might not hunt for survival, it can be fun for them. It’s a natural behavior, even though we might not like it when they bring us a new catch.
The indoor vs outdoor cat debate is one with passionate pet parents on both sides, but it remains true that outdoor cats may well hunt small animals they see, including birds. Bird watching is even beneficial to indoor cats, too, reducing boredom and stress and providing mental and physical stimulation, but if you have outdoor cats, you might be wondering how to strike a balance between how you can allow your to cat express their natural behaviors and how to keep birds safe from cats.
“If you can, it’s best to try to take some measures to keep the birds in your yard safe from the clutches of your cat’s claws,” says vet Dr Hannah Godfrey. And if you’d like to know how to keep birds safe from cats, you’re in the right place – Maria Kincaid, head ornithologist at FeatherSnap, has provided some tips.
How to keep birds safe from cats
Put a bell on their collar
Attaching a bell on your cat’s collar will give birds a better chance of hearing them coming. This way, your cat still gets the chance to engage in hunting behaviors, but you’re increasing the likelihood of the birds getting away. Some believe that adding a bell doesn’t make that much difference, but it certainly doesn’t cause any harm so is worth a try. Don’t forget to use a collar with a safety release, however.
Ensure they’re stimulated at home
“Don’t forget that your cat still needs to express their natural behavior, and giving them an alternative to hunting live prey will help reduce the time they spend on the prowl outside,” says Dr Godfrey. Indeed, according to one study, even just five to 10 minutes of daily object play with cats can reduce hunting.
What is object play, exactly? Well, it’s the sort of play we often engage in with our kitties, anyway – play with inanimate toys like fake mice and feathers. Don’t forget to use the best cat puzzle feeders and other enrichment items, too!
“These activities won’t just keep them occupied, but they’ll also burn extra calories, preventing obesity,” Dr Godfrey continues.
Check your cat’s diet
The same study indicates that eating food with high meat protein levels can reduce hunting. This is likely because some cats do hunt to meet nutritional needs – even if you’re providing them with enough food!
Keep cats inside sometimes
Whatever your views on outdoor cats, it’s unavoidable that indoor cats are safer to birds – a study from 2013 found that domestic cats kill billions of birds and mammals each year.
You might not want to keep your cat inside all the time, but if you can make your cat’s indoor time as enriching and stimulating as possible, they may not be as inclined to hunt wildlife when they are outdoors.
Some cat parents have cat enclosures or catios that allow their pets to have outdoor space to explore, while also keeping birds safer. Why not check out our pick of the best outdoor cat enclosures?
Concerned about other people’s cats?
Maybe your cat is an indoor cat anyway, or you have other pets, and you’d like to look out for the birds who visit your yard. What can you do to help keep them safe from other people’s cats nearby?
Kincaid recommends positioning bird feeders and birdbaths carefully.
“Placing your bird feeders at least 8ft above the ground makes it a harder target for a cat to get to,” she says. “It’s also wise to make sure the feeder isn’t too close to a fence or a wall, where a cat can climb and jump down from.”
You could also add scat mats around the bird feeder, which will make it more difficult for your cat to approach the bird feeder.
Make sure birds have space to see and react to cats who might be hiding, too. Place feeders and baths more than 10ft away from usual cat hiding places, which should give them enough time to fly away if they need to. Motion-sensor lights and sprinklers can deter cats in a humane, harmless way, too.
Meanwhile, another alternative is to take down your bird feeder if it seems to be attracting cats, and feeding them naturally, instead. Design your yard so that it contains plenty of plants for birds to feed on, with seeds and berries that birds enjoy.
It’s easy to keep both cats and birds happy – and it isn’t too difficult to do. Whether you’re a cat parent or you just enjoy seeing birds outside, there are plenty of things you can do to get started.
