What is the best way to keep our cats from killing birds?

Question

anyone know? we have 2 young cats that are always hunting and killing birds or chipmonks, how can this be prevented besides keeping them inside?

Answer 1

Make sure they have bells on their collars. That way the other animals can hear them coming. (That's what the bells are for to begin with!)

Answer 2

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to stop them hunting, this is a natural instinct. The following paragraph is taken from The Practical Cat Book written by Paddy Cutts.

"No matter what restrictions we impose on our cats, they are still essentially cats and will always display a certain amount of wild cat behaviour. We can neuter them, keep them safely confined indoors and well fed, but they still have the roaming instinct, and still want to hunt and catch prey even if they have finished a meal. This is something we cannot change; ask any cat lover and, if they answer honestly, they would not want to change it.Part of the charm of living with a cat is that it is probably the nearest most of us will ever get to sharing our home with a small, wild creature."

I think that what Paddy Cutts wrote explains everything exactly. It is unfortunate that cats hunt, there is one thing you can do to give the birds a fighting chance and that is put a bell on his collar, and/or two name tags. When the cat starts to pounce the birds will hear the jingle of the bell and tags.

Answer 3

You can try yelling at them until your hoarse but they'll just hunt when you're not around. You can tie a bell to their collar but they'll get rid of the collar.
The only way is to make them indoor cats. It really isn't a bad thing, I have 4.
They don't get into fights and come home all bloodied they don't pick up unwanted diseases and spread them to the other cats. They don't get hit by cars. I always know where they are.
It only takes 3 - 10 days. The first 3 are the worst so best to start on a weekend. After that it is simply a matter of not letting them get out. After about 6 months, they totally lose interest. It's much nicer, cleaner, safer and they don't kill the wildlife.

Answer 4

Unfortunately cats are predators and chasing small game is really just in their nature. the only way to keep them from doing it is by giving their prey the advantage of hearing them coming. get each of your cats a collar - i recommend the kind that breaks away should they get caught on something like a fence post. Put a bell or a couple of bells on each collar so everything in your neighborhood can hear your cats coming. Your cats will still be entertained stalking the prey - they just won't catch as many.

Answer 5

It is not cruel to keep the cat in your house. Millions of birds, especially ground nesting birds are killed in North America each year from free ranging cats [probably the most efficient killer for its size in the whole animal kingdom]. The bell idea is good but not very efficient. Cats know how to work around it. Again. KEEP YOUR CAT IN THE HOUSE.

Answer 6

Well, to tell you the truth, it really is in their nature to hunt smaller animals. Just purchase a collar with a bell and attach it to the cat. If you dont already know this, i dont recommend buying one of those easy to snap buckle collars (they are too easy for the cat to take off). Just buy a plain buckle collar. But whatever you do, DO NOT punish your cat for hunting! I promise you they will take it wrong, and they wont know why. Good luck

Answer 7

Put a bell on the cat's collar. My cat is a bird stalker, but not anymore. They hear him coming a mile away. Now he is settling on chasing grasshoppers.

Answer 8

This sounds really weird, it works forever though.
Next time it kills a bird, get the bird and tie a string or piece of yarn around it really well, then tie it to the cat--or dog, as it works for both-- and leave it there for days, it works best if you tie it to a collar. You are going to feel really bad doing this but the animal will stop forever. Good luck!

Answer 9

Put a bell on their collars to warn the birds. You can get them at most pet supply stores.

Answer 10

Sure, you can try a bell on the collar, but the most responsible thing to do is to keep them inside. Be a responsible owner who cares for their well being and bring them inside for good.