If you are a cat owner and you have a cat that likes to hunt, there is a good chance that your pet will bring home a bird or two from time to time. If you do not want your cat eating birds, it can be helpful to learn about how to prevent them from doing so.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they need to eat meat in order to survive. Their digestive system isn’t built for a vegetarian diet and they aren’t able to get all the nutrients they need without eating meat, the taurine factor. Domestic house cats are highly skilled predators and outdoor cats living near or adjacent to natural areas are likely to prey on many of our natural neighbors.
Your cat may have eaten a bird, but don’t worry. Even if your cat has thrown up, it’s likely that it will continue to be in good health. This is especially true if this is the first time your cat has ever eaten a bird. Wait and see what happens, and it’s likely that you will never see your cat display any symptoms of poor health.
Dangers of Cats Eating Birds
Birds can be difficult prey for cats to hunt and kill, but once caught, cats are perfectly capable of devouring them. Birds aren’t vegetables, so they’re an excellent source of protein for your cat. While eating a bird may not be dangerous for your cat, it is not recommended as a regular part of their diet. The best way to keep your cat healthy is to provide them with a balanced diet.
Cats are unlikely to eat carrion (animals and birds that have been dead for a while) because they usually chase their prey. If your cat is sick from eating a bird, it’s usually because the stomach has been irritated by feathers and bones. However, if vomiting is prolonged or your cat seems lethargic or in pain, it may be due to more severe damage to the stomach or if the bird was ill and may have passed infectious disease on to your cat.
Cats who eat birds may get sick as a result of gastric upset. The point of concern is If your cat eats a bird that has been killed by Salmonellosis, he or she will be exposed to large numbers of bacteria, which can easily subdue the cat’s own natural protective measures.
Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella. The bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of birds, reptiles, and other animals. Symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss (anorexia)
- Lethargy/weakness/malaise
- Bloody stool
- High temperature
- Dehydration
What To Do If My Cat Catches a Bird
If your cat catches a bird and the bird is alive, try to distract your cat with favorite treats or toys as this may cause them to release the bird. Do not chase after your cat if it runs away, as it will likely be frightened by this. If the bird is still alive, put it in a sheltered area outside–this will keep it safe from predators and give it time to calm down. Bring your cat’s favorite treats inside to try to lure them away from their prey. However, if your cat has caught a bird and is eating it, offer some tasty treats to encourage them away from the bird. Monitor your cat for any signs of illness after eating an animal carcass (including feathers).
While your cat may eat a bird with no ill effects, it is best to discourage this behavior for several reasons. Firstly, the bird may be carrying a disease that could make your cat unwell. Secondly, eating a bird may irritate or damage the stomach. Thirdly, cats are a major reason for the reduction in garden bird populations, and chasing and killing birds should be prevented where possible. If you have birds nesting in your garden try keeping your cat indoors while they are fledging (learning to fly and leaving the nest)
If your cat is an active hunter, it may be difficult to prevent them from catching prey outside. If you catch your cat in the act of hunting and eating prey, try to distract them or interrupt their meal by using caution; these little predators will strike out at you in order to protect their food.
If you know your cat likes to hunt, make sure he or she is all up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention. If you ever find yourself in this situation, there are some steps you can take:
– Call a veterinarian immediately so that they can assess whether or not the bird is safe for consumption
– If it is safe for consumption, try offering your cat something else instead of letting him or she eat it
-Keep an eye out for signs of illness like vomiting and diarrhea; these symptoms can indicate there were toxins in the dead animal’s body that made their way into yours.
– If it isn’t safe for consumption and cannot be given away or buried safely outside (as some birds like pigeons carry diseases), consider calling animal control or police depending on where you live as some areas have laws regarding this issue
Can Cats And Humans Catch Diseases From Birds?
Cats are liable to catch diseases and parasites from catching wild birds. However, it is unlikely that your cat will suffer ill effects if it eats just one. If your cat experiences continued or frequent symptoms such as vomiting, losing weight, or fever, take it to the vet; otherwise, it is likely fine. If you want to stop your cat from killing birds, keep it inside or fit a special anti-hunting collar on it.
Birds can carry diseases such as salmonella, bird flu, and Chlamydophila. These diseases can affect cats and even people. As such, a cat could catch those diseases from a bird and then pass them on to their owner. Always wear gloves when handling birds, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
There are two ways in which a cat can get sick from eating a bird. The first is that it regurgitates the meal, which can occur for one of many reasons. Regurgitation is different from vomiting in that the food is undigested. It is regurgitated either from the esophagus or from the stomach, having only just gotten there. The second way is if your cat gets sick from eating the bird, i.e. if the bird is carrying parasites or diseases.
A cat can get sick from eating a bird in two ways. The first is that it regurgitates the meal, which can occur for one of many reasons. Regurgitation is different from vomiting in that the food is undigested. It is regurgitated either from the esophagus or from the stomach, having only just gotten there. The second way is if your cat gets sick from eating the bird–if it’s carrying parasites or diseases.
Final words,
If you catch your cat in the act of trying to eat a bird, it may be possible for you to stop them in its tracks. However, this can be challenging because cats are not always easily distracted and may even strike out at you in order to protect their prize. If you know that your cat hunts birds, make sure they are up-to-date on all of their vaccines and parasite protection.