The small pond has 4 goldish in it (3 large and 1 small) and has thick trees and foliage overhanging it. I attend to it and feed the fish every day. Is it safe to introduce a new pet cat into such an environment - would it harm the fish? Is there anything I can do to prevent it from harming the fish - or do I just have to give up on the idea of having a cat?
2006-09-23 05:39:13 · 37 answers · asked by snarflebat 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
put up chicken wire to stop the cat getting at the fish
2006-09-23 05:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by NOT TELLING YOU LOL 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have four cats, and a large pond with about twenty goldfish, ranging from small to large. They often catch frogs on the lawn, but never fish. I've seen my cats when they were young falling in the pond trying to get at them. They do this maybe twice then merely observe the fishies after that. Your fish will most likely be quite safe.
Though i'm not sure, i don't think you should be feeding your fish every day, that is much more likely to kill them off....
2006-09-23 05:50:07 · answer #2 · answered by rikerlock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the pond is deep enough, then the fish should be able to hide out in the bottom where the cat won't be able to reach them (I've seen a koi escape three raccoons this way :P). If not, though, then you'd best put some kind of barrier around the pond to keep the cat from getting in, because they do like fish. Make sure the barrier isn't climbable, because cats are also good climbers.
2006-09-23 05:42:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son had a bowl with guppies for a science project of some type when he was in jr. high. The cat "fished" every one of those guppies out and ate them, and he didn't have any front claws!
If you want to introduce a kitten, there are two things you could do. First, give the fish something to hide under, large rocks, plants in the pond, etc. Second, don't let that kitten out there without supervision, and teach him/her to leave the pond alone. Cats are intelligent, and if you start young, they can learn.
2006-09-23 05:51:37 · answer #4 · answered by mightymite1957 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 dogs that swim in my pond 3 or 4 times a day. The fish dont seem to mind a bit. i have several cats that come into the garden ( when the dogs are inside) and the cats dont seem bothered about the fish.
2006-09-23 05:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's unlikely that cat would actually get the fish. Cats generally don't like water. I would NOT introduce the cat directly to the pond. The cat will most likely find it on his own. He'll probably watch the fish and paw at them but won't like the water so he won't do much more than that. Good Luck!
2006-09-23 08:00:43 · answer #6 · answered by Maggie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Raccoons love to raid people's fish ponds. They are creatures of the night however. My neighbor has a koi pond which he covers with wire to keep those critters out. He is a very sweet man and Muslim so he would never harm a living creature and he has to deter them if he wants to keep his fish safe.
A cat would be quite likely to "go fishing". If you don't have to worry about raccoons a cat could be a threat to the fish.
No cat should be out at night. My cats are always inside after dark even though my garden has cat fence-in and they can't leave my property.
2006-09-23 06:09:59 · answer #7 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They'll only drown once ! (joke) I have 20 koi carp in a shallow to deep ( graduated ) pond, and the cats are terrified of them. (I have two cats)
If the pond is deep you should be fine, but if shallow enough to wade in - more of a problem. Create a small frame around the pond ( like a pop over cage ) with fine chicken mesh to keep them well out. I have this and it also doubles as a guard for diving /fishing birds such as gull and heron
2006-09-23 05:51:40 · answer #8 · answered by MrsMac 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had two cats and one day caught one of them sat on the side of the pond which was quite large and 6ft deep,he was fishing with his paw.
I know it sounds cruel but I threw him in the pond I have never seen a cat swim so fast his fur was hardly wet when he got out after that we the cat and I spent many happy yrs sat in the sun by the pond and he never did it again.and don't get me wrong I am never cruel to my pets otherwise I would not have them,sadly both cats passed away aged 15 and 16 I now have a very loyal and loving collie we got from a rescue centre.
2006-09-23 06:04:46 · answer #9 · answered by Francis7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When introducing cats into an alien enviroment shuch as a pond It may harm the fish and there is the possibility that the cat will drown as they usually are more suited to land than water!
2006-09-23 05:52:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
We have a large pond in the front garden full of fish and two Tabby cats,they never bother the fish at all, infact one of them drinks from the pond.can not speak for all cats.
2006-09-26 00:05:20 · answer #11 · answered by shirley m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋