Cats Kill Birds - Should We Keep Cats Indoors?
It is estimated cats kill 2.4 BILLION birds each year in the U.S. If you love your cat and you love your backyard birds, then don't mix the two. Keep your cats indoors or supervise their outings. They will live longer, healthier lives and so will the birds!
Make sure to install feeders where cats don't have easy access to them. Because even if you keep your cats inside, there's always the neighbors & other strays looking to play predator-prey.
I have the photo of my cat below sitting in a planter of grass inside, but I
do allow her to go outside too. We plant the grass
during the winter to let her graze on when she wants and during
the summer
months, I let her out to graze on the backyard lawn, but only when supervised.
She enjoys sitting out in the sun, eating her grass and I do not want to deny her this - but she's never out of my sight. She also wears a collar with bells to help warn the birds.
My neighbor's are on their third cat now. Why? Because the other two were free to roam wherever and whenever they like. One came home injured and later died, the other disappeared.
We highly recommend visiting The American Bird Conservancy page about the Cats Indoors! Campaign to increase awareness of the problem.
A Compromise If You Still Want To Allow Your Cat Outside
I went to a presentation about bird conservation and when someone from the audience asked the speaker, a Conservation Biologist and Ornithologist, what is the single best action we can take as individuals to help birds, you know what he said?
"Keep your cat indoors!"
He also said, if you insist on allowing your cat outdoors, at the very minimum put a collar on the cat with at least 2 bells and use a Cat Bib....
Outdoor cats commonly have a life expectancy of fewer than 5 years, while indoor cats is up to 17 years.
Your outdoor cat is more susceptible to life-threatening diseases from other cats and animals, ticks and other parasites. They can become lost or get hit by a car (over 1 million cats are killed by autos annually), become injured in fights or poisoned.
Indoor cats don't have this kind of stress on their health. Indoor cats can be happier, healthier and longer-lived which should make cat-owners happier too! Just remember to give your indoor cat plenty of exercise with toys. We play "chase- the-string" everyday...that's good for both of us!
Why Cats Should Be Allowed To Roam Free As Quoted By Cat Lovers
Attention all cat lovers and all defenders of wild and free cats that have contacted me after reading this page.
I have heard your arguments. Some valid, some not so valid. But to be fair, I am posting your arguments for why cats should be left to roam free and wild outside here. This way you know that I know what you know. :)
I have left them anonymous, but if you want your name posted, just let me know. Just FYI, the data on this page is from the Cats Indoors Campaign, not from my personal insights or guesstimates.
People Kill More Birds Than Cats
"Your recommendations to put bells on outside cats is dangerous and cruel. An outdoor cat with a bell cannot evade predators such as coyotes. The fact is that people kill far more birds than cats ever could, with pollution and destroying their habitat, so let's put the blame where it belongs." //So since everyone else is killing birds, it really doesn't matter that our cats do too.//
Keeping Cats Indoors is Cruel - Comparable to Jail!
"This article you write recommending that cats are kept indoors, actually made me angry. First. I put my hummingbird feeders where my cats cannot reach them. That is just common sense." //Common sense is not so common, that's why cat's do kill birds at bird feeders.//
"Life expectancy info for outdoor cats is WRONG. I have had indoor/outdoor cats for more then 30 years. They have lived anywhere from 19 years up to 23 years.
Outdoor cats are much happier then indoor cats. It is against their innate nature to be kept indoors 24/7. It is comparable to jail... do you not know anything about the mental, emotional, physical needs of cats?
I live in the country, and have NEVER had one of my cats hit by a car. I see that they receive good veterinary care; I have a cat door, and they come and go as they please. My sister lives in a condo in city, and aside from brief visits on porch, they are kept indoors and her cats are sick off and on (one of her beloved cats just died from urinary problems.)"
Cars Kill More Birds Than Cats
"Highly disagree with your cat indoor policy. Heck, if we all went to jail, (even a really nice jail) no more murder...in fact, no more crime, no more traffic fatalities, industrial accidents, or natural caused fatalities! well, you get my drift.
I am an avid bird watcher and photographer of all sorts of wildlife, and I also have 4 cats and a dog which I love as much as the wild animals I spend so much time around. My domestic animals will never be locked inside! And by the way they will live and have ALWAYS lived more than 5 years.
What do you mean by outside cat? A city feral cat might live 5 years but you do an injustice to yourself and your readers to even hint that a spayed and vaccinated cat that is non feral will only live 5 years if let outside. I have had at least one cat of one type or another for 40 years and I have never had a cat live less than 14 years and ALL HAVE BEEN LET OUTSIDE DAILY!
This type of obvious untruth Makes everything else you say suspicious and lacking in credibility." //The data I quoted on life expectancy is from the Cats Indoors program, not just a guesstimate. You are a sample size of 1 - not statistically significant// "My daughter tried an 'indoor cat' and by the time it was 4 years old it was crazy as a loon and after $1,500 had to be put down with the vet saying that 'some cats were not meant to be inside all the time.'" //You can't just leave a cat indoors and give it no attention.//
By the way, got any statistics on how many birds are killed by cars every year? Add that to the 50,000 human deaths and 250,000 serious injuries caused by automobiles every year and maybe you should be trying to get us all to be "indoor only Humans!
Well, there is my rant. Got here looking for bird feeder plans but your Cat incarceration drive got me all riled up."
If Cats Should Be Kept Indoors, So Should Children
"Children bring home diseases from other kids at school. Children get hit by cars, are attacked by animals and insects, get poison oak/ivy, fall down, break bones, are abducted, etc. All children should be kept indoors at all times and never let outside, for their own safety. If let outside, they should be leashed 100% of the time. This will also cut down on vandalism, bullying, murder and other nasties perpetrated by children." - Marion
I Feel the Same as an Indoor Cat Because My Hubby Has Our Car All Day and I'm Locked Up
"I adopted my cat from PetSmart. When I first got him he was starving and skinny seriously to the point he was just bones and fur but since he's been with me I've been monitoring his health and he has everything he could ever want. Since I live in an apartment I made him an indoor kitty, he hasn't been out once since I got him except for our patio and he just has that longing look all the time to get out.
Honestly I don't believe a cat should EVER be declawed. For one it really hurts them. Two even if they're indoor cats they do still have an instinct and can choose to escape anytime and his claws are his weapons. Three cats are natural hunters they should be able to hunt it's not fair of us to suppress those urges for them.
There's nothing wrong with outdoor cats."//=It's okay if they kill wild birds.// "I'm a stay at home mom and my hubby has the car for his work and I seriously feel like I'm locked up until he comes home then I get the car and have my freedom and I can only imagine that those cats feel the same way." - Arie
Cat Owners, Defender of Keeping Cats Indoors or Restricted
"I'm sorry- but I live with 5 feral, spayed cats in the area. If I let my house cats out, there would be fur flying! Also, two of those outside cats sit under the bird feeder or the birdbath and just wait for the birds to land. Yes, I have often seen them take birds. We haven't seen a Northern Flicker or a Towhee in months- both are ground feeding birds. We used to have them, but not since the cats showed up!
Cats will hunt, even if well fed. They're great around barns and storage areas where mice are a problem, but I don't need them hunting the birds and using my mulch as a bathroom."
Maybe - Personal Choice for Cats Indoors/Cats Outdoors
"It's a personal choice...all of my cats over the years have been strictly indoors and lived long happy lives...they are spoiled with all the attention they could have ever wanted and places to sit in the sun ...my cats whenever they have "escaped" have panicked and come right back inside...it's all they have ever known.
Feral cats, stray dogs, raccoons, coyotes etc. are all a grave danger to pets (including dogs) and quite frankly I would never put a beloved pet in that kind of danger.
Feral cats are part of the ecosystem meaning that as much as we might not like it...predators of mice, rats, and birds...
Domesticated cats are NOT part of the ecosystem and only hunt because of the innate instinct built in to their evolutionary past...you can take the cat out of the hunt but not the hunt out of the cat.
I grew up on a farm...our farm cats were indoor outdoor and kept the rodent population in check very well...we did however have a couple that were indoor only...they were the ones that lived the longest healthiest lives...the indoor/outdoor cats were constantly @ the vets for one ailment/injury or another and generally died at much younger ages and sometime rather brutally at the hands of other wild critters or cars.
Some of the folks who have posted rebuttals to your articles are just plain rude and based on their reactions have taken what you posted as personal attacks on their way of doing things...again it goes back to personal choice for your pets...
mine stay indoors...safe and happy. my choice, period.
I also have dogs who are NEVER outdoors without my wife or i present. They are my responsibility much in the same way a child would be. That's all i got ! -Steve (Fayetteville, NC)
Cats Indoors or Outdoors: It Depends on Where You Live
"I use to live at the Grand Canyon Village and had two cats of which I never let outside. That was just because I lived in a location where outside cats became part of the food chain. If you had an outside cat for more than 5 years you were lucky and that cat was smart.
My indoor cats were leashed trained and walked daily, they were allowed to have monitored playtime outside. I would bring in outside things like snow, and pine needles for them to play with. They loved this and one cat looked forward to the snow in the tub.
The argument for cats being in door, or outdoor, depends on the location of the cat. We (humans) can affect the environment in which we live in. Cats cannot and just adapt to their environment.
I now live in a location where they will be let our during the day for a few hours, but made to come inside as dusk approaches. This is to reduce their likelihood of disturbing the wildlife feeding time, and to keep them from joining the food chain. (Not as many mountain lions here as the Canyon)." - Anonymous
Keep Cats Indoors or Restricted
"I not only dislike having my bird feeders turned into a buffet for the neighborhood cats, I also have to protect my dog from them. I've had a very nice Doberman blinded by a cat who had no business in our yard where the dog belonged. I also hate having my black car covered with cat foot prints which will etch the paint in time.
Cats should be just as restricted as dogs, my dogs are only allowed outdoors on my property or on a leash as all times, so why should cats be different?" -Anonymous
Allow Cats & Dogs Outdoors, But Only When Supervised or Restricted
"I think you were very reasonable and fair to let the "cat defenders" post their comments. But I have to add my two cents in as this is an issue I care very much about.
There is no logic in the statements from the "cat defenders". I have very happy and healthy cats AND dogs AND I love to observe wild birds. I never leave my pets out unsupervised. If they don't come when called, and are therefore not under my control, then they get put on leash or in a run.
Why would anyone want their animals bothering neighbors by pooping in their garden, walking on their cars, fighting with their animals, barking or killing wildlife? And why would anyone want to put their beloved pets in danger of being hit by a car, poisoned by the neighborhoods bully, mauled and eaten by a cougar...It's simply not responsible. And to argue that there are other human caused factors affecting bird populations is not a reasonable excuse to then create another issue by letting cats add to the challenges facing wild bird populations." -Dominique
Training Cats Not to Catch Birds
"Hello, I just came across this website and would like to share my experience. I have 2 kitties who are allowed both indoors and outdoors. Prior to me and one of my cats moving to our current location, this particular kitty was an avid catcher of birds; almost every day.
Being an animal lover of all animals, I surely felt sad for the birds, and also wanted my kitty to be able to go outdoors as well.
I have trained various animals ever since I was a kid; I grew up with all kinds of animals and trained the 2 kitties we had then to get along with my Dad's pet mice! Later on, I trained 2 different cats to get along with a baby bird I rescued.
I then decided to create a program to teach my kitty "Lucy" to not catch birds. I created my own program for her, and worked with her over a span of about 6 months. After that I kept reinforcing her new behavior. The next several months she caught 2 birds, then none. My kitty did indeed learn through consistent kind training to LEAVE BIRDS ALONE! She has had an amazing "BIRD-FREE" for several years now.
When we moved to our current location, I worked with Lucy to make sure that she continued to not catch or bother birds in our new location; (we are in the country now, plenty of birds around!) She has maintained her excellent record of not catching any birds for several years now!
At the time I was teaching her, several people told me: "Oh you can't teach a cat to not catch birds...it's just their nature to do so." I did not, and do not believe this, and Lucy is proof that it can be done! A cat CAN be taught to not catch birds!
Recently we adopted another kitty, Andrew, and he too went through bird training, and has successfully learned to leave birds alone.
Both Lucy and Andrew go outside during the day, and stay in at night, and I am so grateful that the birds can share and feel safe in our yard. Thank you for letting me share my experience." -Ann
You Think Your Cats are "Bird-Free"?
"No offence, Ann...but unless you are with your cats every minute they are outdoors, I think you are probably mistaken about their never killing birds; YOU just aren't there when it happens.
If, on the other hand, you ARE with your cats every second they are outdoors...you've got too much time on your hands.
Your cats may be behaving while in your backyard....but do you honestly follow them everywhere else? You must be good a jumping fences!" - Michael
Training Cats to Avoid Feeders
"I have 2 cats and a dog both who love to kill birds. I cant stop them from killing, but I teach the cats not to go near the feeder by spraying them and I let them kill pests like rats, mice, moles, etc.. then they have things to kill and the birds are safe. Another thing I agree with is common sense. It's not like it's going to kill you to put a fence up around the area even if you have ground-feeding birds. I'm lucky because if another cat comes into the yard our cats will scare it away." -Sam
I will choose beautiful wild birds any day over pesky invasive cats in my backyard
"Cats and bird strikes at reflective glass at urban buildings are the #1 killers in the world when it comes to songbirds at the very least. It's on every single website about birds you will ever find.
Billions of birds are killed by these two aspects of our society. And cats create additional problems by being allowed to wander everywhere and crap in other people's well kept flower and vegetable gardens. They are an invasive species, and not a natural predator to birds. They were brought in by humans in the same way that other invasive animals were brought in to deal with problems (i.e. in the case of cats it was mice and rats) and then the invasive animal took over predating on other creatures.
Cats are fine inside, however birds are far more important and with all the latest information on how we are losing our songbird population and how over 70% of some bird populations are gone because of cats, building lights at night (because songbirds migrate at night not in the day), destruction of habitats, pollution, etc., (and not car strikes, who ever said that?!?) the birds should and do take priority.
Reckless and careless and selfish cat owners will see their cats lost to coyotes, hawks and other raptors and in our neighborhood, the bylaw office offers cages to trap wayward cats. What we do with them is up to us.
Take the neighbor to court, or just take the cat out into the country and let it survive the way feral cats do. Maybe drop it off at a farmer's yard so that it can learn to hunt mice if it's so set on displaying its wild ways as some cat owners claim.
If people don't care enough about their cats and let them out, then why should others who are trying to protect their backyard songbirds care?
And, you know what?
I don't mind cats as a whole as long as their owners keep them under control as dog owners are required to. There is no such thing as a cat "needing" to go outside. If you feel you need to let your cat outside because it is meowing too much, then train it. Cats can and have been trained in the past. If you're too lazy, then send the cat out to take its chances but if I had to choose, I will choose beautiful wild birds any day over pesky invasive cats in my back yard and I will do what I need to to keep them out.
P.S. Wildlife conservancy organizations are trying to reach out to cat owners and educate them on what should be done with cats. And it is true, outdoor cats do get killed and live shorter lives. And in addition make enemies of the neighbors and kill songbirds." - Dee
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