Wild Birds

Cat Predation and Wild Bird Welfare

The welfare impact of domestic cat predation on individual wild birds is rarely considered despite evidence that many survive with injuries before dying.

Key Facts

UK cats kill an estimated 55 million birds annually
Studies show approximately 30% of birds caught by cats survive the initial encounter with injuries
Birds with puncture wounds from cat bites frequently die from infection even if initially released
Pasteurella multocida bacteria in cat saliva causes fatal septicaemia in birds within 24-48 hours
A bird caught by a cat must be seen by a wildlife rehabilitator even if it appears uninjured

Welfare Considerations

Birds caught and released by cats do not typically survive. Pasteurella bacteria from cat saliva enter through bite wounds that may appear trivial and cause systemic infection that kills within 24-48 hours. Birds escaping initial capture with puncture injuries experience significant pain and progressive deterioration before death. The welfare harm from cat predation extends beyond the visible kill to include the suffering of injured birds that escape but die subsequently.

What You Can Do

Take any bird caught by a cat to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately
Bell collars on cats reduce bird predation by approximately 40%
Keep cats indoors during fledgling season in spring and early summer
Learn that releasing an apparently uninjured bird caught by a cat is usually a death sentence
Support RSPB campaigns for responsible cat management around nesting birds