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The study period for each cat lasted for two continuous months, and each cat wore the bell half the time. The cats came from a variety of rural and urban environments, and were currently wearing collars without bells. One question they sought to answer: Does wearing a bell reduce the amount of prey a cat captures?įorty-one pet cats known to bring home prey were selected to take part in the study. Their study, "Bells Reduce Predation of Wildlife by Domestic Cats," appeared in the British Journal of Zoology. But researchers at the University of Glasgow pointed out some shortcomings of these studies, and undertook a slightly different approach.
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In fact, two studies performed during the last decade found that cats wearing bells were just as successful in their hunting attempts as were bell-less cats. This technique has been suggested for many years, but its success has been called into question. Theoretically, the audible alert will warn of a fast-approaching object, giving his prey a few extra moments to elude capture. Regardless of the global impact, it's heartbreaking to see a beloved cat destroy a beautiful bird that's been lured to your feeder, and the harm inflicted on the local bird population may be greater than many believe.Īside from keeping Bruiser indoors (advisable for many reasons, including his own health), what can you do to give the unsuspecting birds a fighting chance? One approach is to attach a bell to Bruiser's breakaway collar. But what about the impact his hunting has on wildlife numbers? Without question, cats introduced onto small isolated islands can significantly diminish the numbers of native birds and small mammals, but the overall impact of feline predation on wildlife populations in North America and other large landmasses is less clear. In the right situation, a cat that hunts provides a valuable service. A good "mouser" was highly prized for its ability to reduce the rodent population and the terrible damage mice and rats inflicted on stored grain and other food supplies.īut feline traits that are "good" in some circumstances may be "bad" in others. Predation was one of the traits (along with the purr, the snuggle, and the half-closed contented eyes) that made domestic cats such desirable companions during the earlier years of human existence. What can I do?Ī Members of the cat family are among nature's most successful predators.
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I know that he's only doing what his instincts tell him to do, but his behavior really upsets me, and I'm afraid he'll seriously reduce the population of the birds I love. Sometimes he also leaves dead mice or chipmunks. But I'm horrified when my cat, Bruiser, leaves dead birds on the doorstep. Q I am an avid bird watcher, and one of my greatest joys is watching the beautiful birds that flock to my feeders. Choosing and Caring for Your New CatVideo: Managing Destructive Scratching