Birds Bravely Shelter In Place While Cat Tries To Paw Them in the Bird House
These poor birds are having a terrifying ordeal. One minute they’re sleeping peacefully in their bird house and the next they are the victims of a vicious attack! The family cat has worked out where they are and is determined to get at them! However, the opening is only large enough for the kitty to get its paw through and it is not going to be able to get the birds out. If they keep quiet and stay where they are, they will probably get away with it. Scroll down to see the full footage or a frustrated kitty failing to catch a family of birds!
Why Do Cats Hunt?
©Astrid Gast/Shutterstock.com
Being presented with a half-dead or half-chewed little bird or mouse can be one of the less pleasant aspects of owning a cat! There is no getting away from the fact that cats are hunters and if they are allowed outside, they are quite likely to find something to catch. So, why do our cats still hunt when we provide them with plenty of food?
The first reason is instinct. Our pets are descended from wild cats who had to hunt to stay alive. Cats are obligate carnivores and have to eat animal protein to survive. Therefore, our domestic pets still have the instinct to pursue and catch prey. Once they have caught it, however, they do not always eat it. This may be because they are already full after eating the cat food that we’ve already provided. Another reason could be boredom. Our pets enjoy the chase! They derive pleasure from stalking, ambushing, and even playing with little mammals and birds.
How Do You Stop Your Cat Hunting?
Not only is it upsetting to see your pet hunting little birds but it can actually be a threat to biodiversity in your location. It is estimated that cats kill up to 4 billion birds every year in the US alone. In the UK, it is estimated that they kill around 27 million birds every year. This is obviously enough to impact many bird species.
This can be controlled by confinement (keeping your cat indoors) or by collar-mounted devices (such as bells) which reduce the cat’s hunting success. However, some owners are not comfortable with using these methods. Researchers have recently discovered that by feeding cats a protein-rich, grain-free diet and providing between five and 10 minutes of play, the number of animals brought home could be reduced by up to 36 percent. If your cat behaves like the kitty in this clip, this is something you may want to try.
