Owls - serious question?

Question

I know owls may prey on small mammals, like kittens, but are they capable of grabbing older cats? What weight of animals can they pick up and carry?

I live in a heavily wooded area and cats are disappearing. My roommate swears he heard an owl the other night.

To clarify, I live in a heavily wooded residential area. Some of have reported coyote sightings but it is unlikely with so many humans around here. But an owl was heard one night and their is an eagle's nest about 3 miles from here. My cats are 8 months, year and a half, and eight years old. Weights range from 10 to 20 pounds. None of the three have become victims, but hearing an owl outside of a bedroom window is terrifying!

Answer 1

The best way to find out if owls had been hunting your neighborhood for cats is go into the woods and look for owl pellets (i think that is what they are called). Owls regurgitate their meals and leave it on the forest floor. If you see pellets of cats (youd likely find bones and fur rolled together) then an owl had been hunting your neighborhood. In the meantime, lock up your cat. You guys might also want to check if a bald eagle is around. Bald eagles can grab a whole monkey or a baby seal.

Answer 2

I don't know exactly how heavy an animal an owl can pick up and carry off. I have seen a raptor bird carry off a squirrel in the woods. I think that owls get some cats and kittens and that a coyote or cougar would probably get more of the older cats.

I feel strongly that even normally outdoor cats should be confined inside the house after dark as that it when these predators are looking for their food.

Answer 3

Depending on the size of the owl {Great Horned owls can lift up to 10pds.}.But cats are not the prey of choice..they tend to fight. I am curious to know if you have badgers, foxes, lynxes or coyotes nearby as well.That could be causing some of the dissapearances. I wouldn't let my cat outside at night and try to get your cat used to staying indoors {one of those kitty play centers ie:carpet covered tunnel w/a hiding spot helps...you can buy or make one}

Answer 4

I would suspect the coyotes. They have no problem coming into a residential neighborhood and hunting, especially at night.

I live in a suburb of Los Angeles and coyotes are a fact of life. One neighbor had to fight a coyote off with a broom during the middle of the day as it tried to carry off her cat. I have seen coyotes strolling down that street at 7:00 AM when I head off for work. A neighbor had a coyote jump a 7 foot fence to get into his yard and try to mate with with his German Shepherd. We keep our cats in the house at night and have never lost one. Neighbors that let them out at night invariably have them "disappear".

Answer 5

I keep all cats as inside the house only animals. Besides the possibility of predators, from owls, foxes, to dogs, the cats are more likely to catch disease. There are also cars out there, and I have seen way too many dead pets on the road.

Answer 6

I would think a cat would be too heavy for an owl to pick up, perhaps you have foxes in the woods as well? These might be more likely to prey on bigger animals.

Answer 7

Yes, owls can take some very large pets, cats included. I have a chihuahua, I do not like to leave him out long alone without our larger dog too. I can not give you an exact weight, as owls do not have to pick up their food to kill it. I know of a large lop- eared rabbit that an owl got.

Answer 8

I have heard that they can. One of my friends lives in a wooded area and they have two full grown white deaf cats. They have to keep them inside because the owls will take off with them.

Answer 9

Great horned owls could probably take down a small cat-but more likely coyotes

Answer 10

It is possible. But I think they are probably getting eatten (sorry, to say) by coyotes or bobcats. They prey on smaller mammals. Somtimes the food chain, is so sad when it affects our loved pets.