Do Owls eat Cats?

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely. A Great-horned Owl is one of the most efficient predators in the United States. Its the only one that will take a Skunk. A cat is a large prey animal for them, but they can and do kill cats. If the cat is too large for the owl to lift it would tear off its head. (Sorry to be so graphic) I will say, though, that a cat would not be the birds first choice of prey, as a cat is capable of fighting back.

There is a very important lesson in this. DO NOT LET YOUR CAT ROAM OUTSIDE. I capitalize this because its so important, Your cat will live a much longer, healthier life if kept inside. Cats can be very happy inside, they do not need to go out. There are a number of other predators that might harm him/her, like coyotes, dogs and even other cats. I am not saying this because I hate cats, but because I care about them. I have one myself.

Answer 2

If they are hungry enough and they can catch them. Like most answers on here, I repeat that most owls are not big enough or fast enough to catch cats, but the Great Horned Owls have been known to.

It's not like they go looking for them though! Just don't hate an owl (or harm one. I saw the answer above about a lady kicking a hawk...HORRIBLE!) because it is looking for food. It has no idea that it is eating your beloved pet; it just sees a meal that it thinks it can catch. (Plus owls are protected by law, so you'd be in far worse for harming it than it just harming your cat.)

And also, of all the stories I've heard - and I hear a lot of stories while out doing presentations - more often than not the cat either outsmarts the owl or gets away. Owls aren't as smart as people like to believe, so it's not too difficult.

If you are still really worried about your cat, make him/her a more inside cat, especially in the night. Chances are if you have to worry about owls, there are plenty more predators. Heck, if your cat is already an outside cat, he/she is probably already a seasoned predator himself/herself.

Answer 3

It all depends on the size of the Owl and the Cat. If it is a big owl and the cat is small, be very carefull. Now if the cat is big and so is the owl its still not that safe but its not as likely. Goodluck.

Answer 4

Most Owl's have the strength and capability to catch prey that is up to the same weight and/size as them. i.e. A Great Horned Owl can catch an adult skunk, small cats, small dogs, Rabbits, etc. This does not mean that if there is a cat that they will automatically go for it. But you never rule it out. Females (who are bigger then males) need to be able to catch larger prey to be able to feed her growing babies as well as herself. For instance Barn Owl babies can eat their weight in food a day, they can also have (on average) up to 5 or 6 kids. It isn't common but they have been known to have 10-12 babies. That is a ton of food!!

Answer 5

Depends on the Owl. A great horned owl is big enough to eat a cat, and they live all over the U.S.

Check out the "Food and Feeding" section: "Scarcely anything that moves is safe from this owl. It will eat prey ... as large as domestic cats."
http://www.owling.com/GHO_nh.htm

And the "Diet" section here:
http://www.whozoo.org/Intro2001/verlcole/VBC_GreatHornedOwl.html

Answer 6

They tend tp prey upon kittens more than mature cats unfortunately. I hav 2 owls. 1 Barn and 1 Boobook resident.
I keep a wedge tailed eagle in free flight around my aviaries. Had him since egg and reared him after his mother was shot by an idiot!
He is the protector of my flock. The other birds ( cockatiels and budgies are all wary of him but tolerate him being around) I have 200 pairs of tiels and about 500 prs of budgies. plus these 3 rebels. I have no more cat problems, but mainly due to Herbert the Wedgie. But the owls are great micers.

Answer 7

YES!! I was working at a vet hospital and a cat came in because an owl had tried to take him and eat him! 8 pound cat too!

Answer 8

yes they do, if they are of a size to be able to lift them from the ground and carry them into a tree.an owl tried to get my 13 lb black and white cat twice, the owl wasnt big enough and couldnt lift him from the ground. It just left alot of quarter sized holes in his back.

Answer 9

Maybe really small cats. Healthy adult cats are little too big of prey for an Owl.

Answer 10

owls are conivors there gonna eat what ever is the right size if the owls big he shure will eat up a cat and if the cats small be even more carefull


if your cats a fatty dont worry he will eat the owl