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Did you know that cats have contributed to the extinction of more than 60 species of wild birds, mammals and reptiles?1 Unfortunately, this is true, and it appears that they continue to negatively affect a wide variety of species. In fact, cats have been ranked as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species in the world.2
I can’t blame them. Cats adhere to carnivores and natural hunters. They need animal protein to survive, and chasing and killing their prey is a fun and interesting treat. But, what is the environmental impact of cats on the biodiversity of our world? Keep reading as I tell you about the shocking impact cats have on the world’s wildlife.
Cats and Wildlife: The Shocking Figures
One fact that surprised me is that cats can kill 2 to 10 times more wildlife than other predators of similar size. They hunt in the areas around their homes (within a radius of 100 metres), which makes the impact on wildlife very concentrated.
Since pet cats are fed cat food by humans, they kill fewer prey per day than other predators. Because their habitat ranges are small in comparison, the impact on local wildlife is highly concentrated. When you consider how densely populated pet cats are in some areas, you can see how the risks to birds and mammals can be worse.
While the main impact of cats is through direct predation, they can carry and spread diseases that can infect humans and wildlife. For example, some diseases can cause livestock to abort their fetuses or cause livestock meat scars, effectively reducing farmers’ productivity and income.
Let’s take a closer look at how domestic and feral cat populations affect wildlife in several regions of the world.
United State
It is estimated that cats kill up to 4 billion birds and more than 22 billion mammals annually in the United States. Mammals such as mice, rats, rabbits, and shrews are likely to be preyed upon.
Wild cats have a special impact on island ecosystems such as Hawaii. They have large populations on all eight major islands and are behind the widespread environmental disturbances that have threatened and continue to threaten the local wildlife. Aside from serving as predators, the introduction of cats to the islands has led to the spread of the deadly parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is responsible for polluting water and marine environments, negatively affecting birds and Mammals like monk seals.
Canada
Cats are the number one killer of birds in Canada, killing them 100 and 350 million birds every year. Canada’s wild bird numbers have declined over the past 40 years, with numbers of some species declining by more than 95%. Cat predation is adding significant pressure to these dwindling populations that are already facing serious challenges such as habitat loss and pesticides.
Australia
Cats are an invasive species in Australia and have caused more environmental damage than any other continent. The cats are not native to the area and were only introduced in the early 1800s, and since they are still relatively new to the island, the indigenous Australian animals have never had a chance to evolve with them.
The country’s domestic and feral cats kill more than 1 billion mammals, 399 million birds, 609 million reptiles, and 92 million frogs, making them one of the most abundant in Australia. Environmentally harmful and costly invasive species.
Australia’s feral cats have directly contributed to the extinction of more than 20 indigenous Australian mammals, such as the rusty numbat and the desert bandicoot.
China
The population of domestic cats in China in middle of prosperity At the time of writing, the number of feral cats has increased by more than 10% from 48 million to 58 million between 2020 and 2021. But the number of feral cats in the country is also increasing, with the number of feral cats reaching five million in Beijing alone. Research from 2021 He points out that these feral cats are responsible for killing billions of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Carrots
The islands are home to many species of “ecologically naïve” animals. This indicates the tendency of animals on isolated islands to lose their guard against potential predators. They do not have a response when faced with large predators, such as cats. When feral cats are introduced to these islands, they can have a devastating impact on biodiversity.
Cats have been implicated in the local extinction of species such as the lyal bird in New Zealand or the caviar-like hutia in the Caribbean islands.
feral cats vs domestic cats
on me 25% of families The United States has at least one pet cat. While 75% of these pet cats are kept strictly indoors, the other quarter are left free to roam outside. Indoor and outdoor hybrid cats are responsible for Kill two animals a weekbut you may be shocked to learn that these hybrids are not the main problem.
Estimated to be anywhere in between 60 and 100 million homeless cats in America. While the common domestic cats in your area may be responsible for some of the deaths in the local wildlife, it is likely that feral cats are responsible for the bulk of them. According to the dataFeral cats are responsible for 69% of bird deaths and 89% of mammal deaths in America.
The problem with feral cats is that they are often “caressed” by humans. Instead of bringing electrolytes indoors, humans provide them with food and support that allows them to continue to reproduce at abnormal rates. As a result, they live in the same area all their lives, constantly killing and not giving the local wildlife population as time to rebound as they would in a natural cycle of predator and prey.
How can I do my part in protecting local wildlife?
The answer to protecting your local wildlife is to keep cats indoors. Your pet cannot harm the birds or mammals in your area if it is safe indoors all day long.
Of course, your cat may have something to say about your decision to keep them indoors, especially if they are used to roaming freely in their area. This is a process that will take some time, so patience is a virtue here. Your goal is to make your home as fun as possible with lots of toys, enrichment, and ways to let your cat show its hunting muscles. Feed them with food puzzles and invest in games that mimic the movement of birds or mice when you play with them.
If your cat is still begging at your door to get out, consider building a catio for her. Catios are the perfect go-to for cat owners looking to take their outdoor cat into indoor life as they provide outdoor stimulation while ensuring that any local wildlife is out of reach.
You can also buy a leash and collar for your cat so you can take her for walks to allow her to enjoy the outdoors safely.
last thoughts
No one wants to think of lovable kitties as machines for killing wild animals, but if the opportunity presents itself, your sweet and docile cat may find joy and enjoy the misery of the local wildlife population. You can do your part to protect the wildlife in your area by keeping your cat indoors or allowing it to explore outside safely while on a cot or leash.
Featured image credit: Kuttelvaserova Stuchelova, Shutterstock
Mom’s cat to Ivy – A feisty little rescue cat who is her only child. So far! Throughout her life, she has known the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned several felines, she is more than sure that their love is unparalleled, unconditional, and unlike any other. With a passion for educating the public about everything there is to know about cats, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is dedicated to making sure all cats and their owners know the importance of an informed – and loving!
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