Companion Animals

Domestic Cat Predation on Wildlife: Scale and Mitigation

Domestic cat predation on wildlife is one of the most significant anthropogenic sources of bird and mammal mortality, raising welfare questions for both cats and their prey.

Key Facts

UK cats kill an estimated 55 million birds and 275 million small mammals annually
This represents a significant welfare burden for prey animals that may include prolonged suffering
Bell collars reduce bird predation by around 40% but have no effect on mammal prey
Keeping cats in at night when they are most active significantly reduces mammal predation
Cat predation may limit recovery of some threatened bird species in specific areas

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife caught but not killed by cats suffers acute stress and physical injury even if eventually released. Many escape with injuries that lead to delayed death. The scale of annual predation represents a vast number of individual wildlife welfare incidents. Owner choices including bell collars, night-time indoor keeping, and wildlife-friendly garden design can substantially reduce predation without eliminating cats' outdoor access.

What You Can Do

Fit cats with a properly fitted bell collar to reduce bird predation
Keep cats in overnight when predation is highest
Ensure bird feeders are positioned to give birds adequate escape routes from approaching cats
Create habitat that provides bird cover and escape routes in gardens
Consider keeping cats permanently indoors where local threatened bird populations are at risk