I have 3 happy (ex-)male cats, all just over a year old. I love them dearly. They spend probably 75% of their time indoors; I don't let them outside at night (raccoons) or when I'm not here. They adore exploring outdoors, though, so I do let them run free as often as I can. My problem is that I also love the birds; there are many here at my idyllic spot on the Oregon coast. But one of my dear boys has discovered he's proficient at catching HUMMINGBIRDS! This is breaking my heart; wish I could come up with a way to protect the birds! My cats all have collars with bells; but this doesn't seem to help. Aside from keeping the cats inside ALL the time, which I am loath to do, does anyone have other techniques that have worked???
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Hummingbird Hunter
- Thread starter 'arry's mum
- Start Date
Cats are natural hunters -- if they are allowed to roam free outside I would think it would be pretty difficult to stop them from killing whatever prey they encounter. Short of some sort of cat enclosure I would say no, you cannot stop them from hunting and killing.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
In looking for other ideas on the internet to keep my cat from killing birds, I came across information on a 'Cat Bib'. It's apparently a lightweight, neoprene, colorful bib that you attach to the cat's collar. It physically interferes with the cat's ability to catch birds....Has anyone tried these or known anybody who has? Do they work? Are they safe for the cat (I wonder about it catching on things, potentially choking the cat)? I'd really like to know. They are downright dorky-looking, I must say. But I think my cat has enough self esteem to handle it...!
I'm kind of surprised to hear that your cat can catch them...I have a hummingbird feeder and they never fly low enough for my kittens to even have a chance. Than again, they haven't had much outdoor hunting practice, basically only going onto the porch and back again.
My brother's cats kept killing baby bunnies so they put bells on their collars -- according to him, it did not help (and these cats are declawed -- cats are just amazing hunters).
PS: dont ask me why they let their declawed cats outside -- they just don't care.
PS: dont ask me why they let their declawed cats outside -- they just don't care.
I would put anything like that on a cat. It may also interfere with the cats ability to get away from a predator or defend itself.
Cats chase and kill things. Its a fact of life and its natural for them. I would either keep them inside, or just overlook it.
My cat of long ago, Princess, came in one day and vomited up a baby bunny rabbit on the dining room carpet. Your post brought back wonderful memories of my beloved hunter.
Yup, can't stop cats from being just what they are, cats.
If you take away their ability to 'play in the yard' they may roam on to greener pastures.
Yup, can't stop cats from being just what they are, cats.
If you take away their ability to 'play in the yard' they may roam on to greener pastures.
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- #8
Yes, thank you for this reply. My feelings, exactly. I was asking for advice, but I was in truth searching for validation. Although it pulls at my heartstrings to see the little innocent creatures my cats kill, I know that cats are predators, hunters; it's in their DNA. My three mostly hang in my yard or close by, and I hope as they get older and lazier they will lose some interest in ruining perfectly good birds.
I would consider putting up a cat enclosure (like a big see-thru tent) for the cats to spend time outside and yet be confined for their sake and the birds. You can't have them running around killing the birds, so the enclosure is the next best thing.
