If you have a cat that is allowed to roam (either day or night – it doesn’t matter) then you’re doing the wrong thing by our Wildlife. And if you want to attract small birds to your garden, you won’t. And if you do have small birds and your cat is out and about – I’m sending you the big frown! Don’t get me wrong, I love cats, and I believe as a responsible pet-owner you should do the right thing and keep it inside.
Cats and Wildlife should not mix
The highest amount of bird fatalities we receive are cat related. The reason is not just the shock – but also because cats have filthy teeth and a high percentage of nasty bacteria in their saliva. Cat bites are just as life-threatening for other wildlife too. But as I specialise in bird caring I will tell you how cat and bird scenarios generally work:
- The cat bites the bird. We generally find the puncture marks or blood under the wings where the cat grabs the poor bird as it has tried to fly away.
- Bacteria from the cats teeth enter the bird’s bloodstream, and if the bird isn’t administered antibiotics intraveniously quickly, and kept warm to alleviate the shock, it is dead within 24 hours.
- The cat plays with the bird (stressing it even more) or carries it inside to its owner.
- Horrified Cat Owner contacts me, saying, “I was so surprised! Kitty has never done anything like this before!” And I think – Yeah right! If only I had a dollar for every time an irresponsible cat owner said that to me. The average domestic cat kills atleast 16 mammals, 8 birds and 8 reptiles a year. Now multiply that by the number by the number of people who own cats (est. about 3 million in Australia) and still allow kitty to go outside – and what do you have? A step towards extinction of small birds and mammals in the suburbs. Not only do small birds have to avoid cats, they also have to avoid large predatory birds, defend against other birds who attempt to take their territory, find food and appropriate nesting spots and roosts… all of which is becoming harder due to more trees being cut down, the use of pesticides killing the food supply, and surviving the other poisons people are so fond of using in their homes and gardens.
- Wildlife Carer puts the bird on heat and administers antibiotics (or races off to the vet and gets them to administer it).
- Wildlife Carer, if able to, cleanses the wounds with saline solution, trying not to stress the bird any further than it is. Bird wounds heal very quickly, trapping the cat saliva bacteria inside.
- Wildlife Carer continues to administer antiobiotics over the next few days and keep the bird warm and quiet.
- Bird dies 5 days later.
A sad ending and one that could have been avoided simply if the Cat Owner had done the right thing by the wildlife as well as by their cat.
Afterall, why would you allow your cat outside where they could be hit by a car, attacked by another more aggressive cat, eaten by a dog, or worse… I know one woman’s cat went missing for a few days and when it came back, it had been shaved and its claws had been pulled out.
If you own a cat, do the right thing and keep it inside where it can enjoy your company, remain safe, and leave our valuable wildlife in peace.