| It happens to every cat owner. You open the front | | | | is not very effective. Birds don't associate the sound |
| door in the morning, only to find a small pile of feathers | | | | of these bells with danger, and so won't necessarily |
| and bones. Your cat winds around your legs, purring, | | | | flee the noise. Many cats become adept at moving |
| obviously proud of his lovely gift. Cats are the | | | | slowly and gently so that the bells don't make much |
| number-one predator of birds, causing frustration for | | | | noise. |
| their owners and seriously impacting the ecosystem. Is | | | | Cats tend to pick favorite spots from which to hunt |
| there any way to keep your feline from hunting? | | | | backyard birds. Discovering that hiding place and either |
| It is estimated that a cat can kill up to one hundred | | | | dismantling it or making it inaccessible can diminish their |
| birds each year. Millions of birds are killed by pets and | | | | ability to stalk their prey. |
| feral cats, as are tens of millions of rodents and other | | | | If you can actually catch your cat in the act of hunting, |
| small animals. Cats are not a natural part of the | | | | spraying it with a hose will certainly interrupt it! Over |
| ecosystem. They were introduced to North America in | | | | time you may be able to keep your pet from constant |
| large numbers in the 1800's. Unlike other predators, cats | | | | killing, but remember, this is instinctive behavior. You |
| are fed and inoculated against disease, and are not | | | | may not ever really be able to train your cat not to |
| reliant on their hunting skills for survival. In addition to | | | | hunt for birds. |
| killing birds through hunting, cats can transmit diseases, | | | | Another approach to keeping cats from killing birds is |
| which kill wildlife. | | | | to keep the birds away from the cats. A large fake |
| Keeping your cat well fed will not stop him from | | | | owl in the yard may frighten birds away and keep |
| hunting. Stalking and catching birds is instinctual for cats, | | | | them from perching in the cat's hunting grounds. Putting |
| so they do it whether or not they need them for food. | | | | up netting or screening in a small portion of your yard |
| Often cats leave birds whole once they've killed them. | | | | can provide outdoor space for your cat which the |
| They will usually only devour the bird if they haven't | | | | birds are unable to enter. |
| had a meal for a while. | | | | The best way to keep your pet cat from killing birds is |
| So what, if anything, can you do to keep your pet | | | | to keep it indoors. Many veterinarians and animal |
| from hunting and killing your local bird population? | | | | experts advise keeping cats inside for a number of |
| Often people are advised to put bells on their cat's | | | | reasons. Certainly this is the only sure-fire method of |
| collars to keep them from killing birds. Unfortunately this | | | | keeping your backyard birds safe from your pet. |