How To Stop Cats Killing Birds In Your Garden

Having cats while trying to attract birds to your garden can make this intriguing hobby a bit of a nightmare. Or you may be getting local cats sneaking their way onto your property at the first sound of bird song. Although it can be frustrating and distressing, it’s important to remember that cats are only following their natural instincts. However, that being said, there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of cat attacks in your garden. Here’s how to stop cats killing birds on your property without causing harm to any creature involved.

Why Do Cats Kill Birds?

Cats are born with the instinct to hunt. As predators by nature, they are taught when they are very young to hunt by their mothers, who, in turn, have the instinct of presenting their kittens with prey. Then, as kittens grow, they will begin to join their mother on the hunt. As well as this, a well-fed kitten will continue to feel the impulse to hunt since doing so helps their development and teaches them the right skills to judge the required power and speed[i].

So, cats kill birds because they are following their natural instincts. Their mothers train them to hunt from a young age, and it is all many cats know. Even if you regularly feed your cat, the natural instinct can be too strong to overcome.

How To Stop Cats Killing Birds

Although it may seem inevitable that cats will kill any bird visitors to your garden, especially if the cats are yours, don’t dismantle all your bird feeders just yet! You can always take steps to reduce the risk of cats attacking birds, whether the felines are yours or not. Here’s how to stop cats killing birds in your garden in just a few simple steps.

Feed Your Cats Well

Of course, you don’t want to overfeed your cats – overfed cats can become lazy, less mobile and eventually very sick. However, keeping your cats well-fed so they aren’t hungry enough to go out hunting can significantly reduce the number of bird hunts your pets are likely to embark on. Plus, well-fed cats are likely to be more docile in general, which will be a win-win overall.

Keep Your Cats Indoors

Naturally, you can’t force your cats indoors all day. However, keeping your cats indoors during the birds’ most vulnerable times can significantly protect your feathered garden visitors. Birds are at their most vulnerable in the early morning around sunrise and sunset in the late afternoon. So, to stop your cats killing birds, bring them indoors before the sun begins to set and let them out again when the sun has completely risen the next morning.

Put Bells On Cat Collars

Cats are incredibly quiet hunters, meaning birds often aren’t aware of their approach before it’s too late. To give the birds time to escape, add a bell to your cat’s collar. Then, if birds, rodents and other animals that often fall prey to cats can hear the feline’s approach, they can flee the scene long before the cat makes it to them.

Have Your Cat Neutered

Truthfully, the cost is the only reason your cat shouldn’t already be neutered. A neutered cat won’t catch diseases or fleas, wander from home, react aggressively or disturb other cats. Plus, a neutered cat usually has less of a desire to go hunting. This is because neutering reduces the chance of sexual frustration in cats and so stops them from cheering themselves up by going on the hunt.

Use A Bird Table With A Rim

Feeding birds is one of the many joys of having a garden, and cats hunting the birds shouldn’t put a dampener on this hobby. By buying bird tables with a rim, you can stop cats pouncing on birds feeding on the food that has fallen to the ground. In addition, by ensuring the food stays on the table, any watching cats won’t be able to reach the happily feeding birds.

Give Birds An Easy Escape Route

Birds are very smart animals, and are unlikely to approach a feeder that is open to predators. For example, if a cat is able to jump onto a feeder while birds are eating, they will not go near it. So, give birds an easy escape route from your feeders and keep them safe from surprise attacks. Place your feeder near a tree or bush – this way birds can fly away to safety unharmed. However, ensure that you don’t place your feeders so close that a cat could hide and pounce on them.

Wrap Up The Tree Bases

An answer to ‘how to stop cats climbing trees as well as a way to protect the birds in your garden, wrapping up the bases of your trees has many benefits. Cats use their sharp claws to grip onto tree trunks and climb up them. By wrapping tree bases to the height cats can jump (about 4 -5 feet[ii]) with a wrap such as plastic or tin foil, the trees will become slippery, and cats won’t be able to climb them.

What To Do If Your Cat Catches A Bird

If your cat catches a bird, the first thing to do is check if the bird is alive. Cat bites are incredibly dangerous to birds due to the bacteria in a cat’s mouth, so any bites could already be fatal. Next, gently check the bird for movement and reaction. If the bird is still alive, the best thing to do is place it in a dark, well-ventilated box and get in touch with your local wildlife rescue centre or a vet with wildlife experience.

How To Stop Cats Killing Birds

Finding dead birds can be destressing in your garden, particularly if you’re trying to create a safe haven for them. Knowing it’s your cats that are causing the harm can be even worse, and answering ‘how to stop my cat killing birds’ can feel like a dead-end scenario. However, it’s important to remember that cats are only following their natural instincts. With these natural, no-harm tips, both the birds and your cats will be completely safe.

Do you have any tips on how to stop cats killing birds in your garden? Give us your advice!