Cats Wildlife Impact

The cluster discusses the massive predation by free-roaming domestic cats on birds, mammals, and other wildlife, with strong advocacy for keeping cats indoors to protect ecosystems and improve cat safety.

📉 Falling 0.3x Science
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#8063
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Keywords

US NZ BS OK snopes.com MUCH imgur.com NYC wikipedia.org www.ve cats cat bird wildlife indoors dog indoor creatures cruel birds

Sample Comments

tristan957 Jul 4, 2025 View on HN

From the abstract of the article:> We estimate that free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.3–4.0 billion birds and 6.3–22.3 billion mammals annually.I don't understand how to marry the point you're trying to make to this. Cats are an invasive species to most small animals, and should be kept from accessing them.In addition to the havoc they wreak on local small animal populations, outdoor cats live shorter lives than their indoor counterparts.<a href="https://www.ve

subpixel Feb 1, 2018 View on HN

Cats kill birds; pets should not be roaming around like wild animals.

psynister Jan 13, 2024 View on HN

Probably better to not let your cats out to murder all the furry creatures in the neighborhood.

mariodiana Mar 5, 2015 View on HN

You're assuming the inhabitants consider the cats to be a problem.

11235813213455 Apr 18, 2020 View on HN

sadly cats are not only good predators, they're cherished and fed by people, and just go hunting for exercise. A bit of an unfair advantage

prvc Sep 15, 2023 View on HN

Cats should not be left to roam freely in cities. They would catch and spread incurable parasites (including to humans), and they would be exposed to various other dangers, such as getting hit by cars or attacking or being attacked by other animals. Furthermore, they leave droppings, and other messes, such as the corpses of the animals they kill, and they damage bird populations. Keep housecats indoors, and do not feed feral cats.

JupiterMoon Dec 21, 2016 View on HN

Or let your cat out - it would rather entertain itself killing the local wildlife.

jfk13 Apr 16, 2021 View on HN

The "outdoor experiences" my cats enjoy are not experiences they could have on a leash.Yes, they sometimes kill things; most commonly mice and shrews. The local rodent population seems resilient enough to cope.But the joy Catastrophe takes in racing up his favourite tree to look out over the neighbourhood, and chasing his tail around its branches, would rapidly end in a tangled mess if I tried to harness him.He's devoted and affectionate, strongly bonded with his humans.

molloy Jan 2, 2018 View on HN

Cats can decimate local bird populations as well

noir_lord Dec 8, 2018 View on HN

I have two cats but I keep them in for their health and the local wildlife, cats are prolific hunters and will kill even when we'll fed.Decimating the local wildlife isn't a good thing.Also indoor cats live healthier longer lives so there is that as well :)