| Domestic cats are often well fed. | | | | house mice, rodents and other pests but |
| However, most pet owners are still | | | | most killed are songbirds, which are |
| amused as why their cats kill rodents, | | | | already under the threat of extinction |
| birds and still do not eat them. The | | | | due to other factors such as destruction |
| reason is, unlike other predators, the | | | | of natural habitat and pollution. Cats |
| cat's desire to hunt is not to eat its | | | | have contributed to the extinction of |
| prey. They hunt it because they have an | | | | population of species such as least |
| inborn hunting instinct in them. This | | | | terans birds, Piping Plovers, Loggerhead |
| instinct is so strong that they continue | | | | Shrikes and starlings in the U.S. The |
| to hunt the preys around them. | | | | situation is no different in other |
| Nevertheless, this habit of hunting had | | | | continent such as Australia, where |
| severe impact on some species. In some | | | | species of birds such as blackbirds, |
| places, the impact of hunting is such | | | | mynah, parrot, galahs, and crimson |
| that it has lead to extinction of | | | | rosellas are on the verge of extinction. |
| several species. Thus, hunting has | | | | In Florida, cats have hunted many birds |
| considerably reduced the counts of small | | | | such as Shrikes, pigeons and other |
| birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, | | | | native birds, due to which they are one |
| thereby threatening the census of wild | | | | the verge of extinction. In addition, |
| life. Apart from this, domestic cats are | | | | the existence of Marsh rabbits, American |
| troubling the native predators too, for | | | | gold finch and hens, and other small |
| example predators such as hawks, | | | | mammals are also in danger. Feral cats |
| weasels, fox, do not find enough food | | | | have hunted many endangered species such |
| for their survival. As a result, the | | | | as Malas, which were recovered |
| existence of these species is in danger | | | | successfully by the wildlife |
| too. Alarming Decrease In Most Species: | | | | authorities. Steps To Prevent The Impact |
| Cats are carnivorous animals. Studies | | | | Of Hunting: Try to keep the cats |
| depict that feeding habits of most | | | | indoors. Confinement reduces unwanted |
| domestic cats include mainly household | | | | reproduction and predation of life. Tie |
| foods such as fish and meat products. In | | | | bell belts in their necks because |
| addition, these cats hunt 70% of small | | | | whenever cats stalk prey, it will alarm |
| mammals and 20% of birds to gratify | | | | the prey and prevent unwarranted |
| their hunger. Studies also depict that | | | | hunting. Declawing is also another |
| domestic cats kill nearly 1000 animals | | | | important step, which pet owners may |
| each year. Cats in small towns kill an | | | | consider. It will reduce the intensity |
| average of 14 birds each year. Rural | | | | of hunting among domesticated cats. |
| domestic cats kill more animals than | | | | Thus, although, hunting is a very |
| urban cats. Researchers say that rural | | | | natural ability of cats, it has |
| cats in Wisconsin kill around 8 to 17 | | | | significantly increased the mortality of |
| million birds every year. The more | | | | the birds. |
| accurate data state that cats kill | | | | Go to Cat and Kitten Zone to get your |
| around 39 million birds annually. In | | | | free ebook about Cats and Kittens at |
| addition, nationwide, rural cats kill | | | | Cats. Cat and Kitten Zone also has |
| around billions of small mammals and | | | | information on Kittens, Cat Supplies and |
| millions of birds. Moreover, urban | | | | a Cat and Kitten Forum where you can |
| felines and suburban felines are also | | | | connect with others who love cats and |
| adding to this count. Some cats kill | | | | kittens. |