Hunting high and low…

In the news recently, I’ve seen articles covering the decision by a shelter to release a thousand feral cats onto Chicago streets in an attempt to combat the rat crisis occurring there. Understandably, there are a couple of concerns, how cared for the ferals are going to be being one and, of course, what about the risk to other small prey animals within the area the cats are being released.

A lot of people are convinced that because cats are predators by nature, they’ll be a constant array of small animal innards spread artfully across the home. But there are ways to reduce the likelihood of your cat hunting; interactive play with toys designed to cater to that particular instinct being the main one, and recognising the times prey animals are most likely to be active and ensuring your cats are in (if possible) is another.

A recent study run by the University of Exeter also recently revealed that cats being fed a very meaty diet are statistically less likely to hunt than those who aren’t. A lot of cat food now features a substantial amount of grain as a filler and the results may indicate that cats are potentially trying to fulfill a nutritional requirement that pre-manufactured food isn’t.

You can find more information on this study here:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2267539-feeding-your-cat-a-very-meaty-diet-may-mean-it-kills-less-wildlife/

It’s important to remember though, that hunting is instinctual in cats. Encouraging them to have alternate outlets for the need to hunt can reduce the behaviour, but there may still be times your cat returns home with a gift for you. If you’re lucky, your gift will be a leaf or something equally inoffensive.