Cats Indoors
Tahoma Bird Alliance joins South Sound Bird Alliance and Grays Harbor Audubon Society in calling for community members to keep their cats indoors
Cats Pose a Threat to Wild Bird Populations
Outdoor cats are one of the deadliest threats to wild bird populations. Every year, feral and domestic cats in the US kill 1.3–4 billion wild birds. By comparison, 599 million birds are killed by window strikes, and 200 million are killed in collisions with cars. Only habitat loss kills more birds than outdoor cats.
While it's true that 70 percent of these 1.3 to 4 billion birds killed by feral cats, if owners of outdoor cats transitioned their cats to indoor life, this would help reduce the feral cat population and save the lives of millions of birds, whose populations already face increased stress from climate change.
An outdoor cat stalks the feeder at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Common Misconceptions About Outdoor Cats
Well fed cats still hunt birds and other wildlife.
Many cats, especially owned cats, are killing out of instinct or because they enjoy hunting, rather than because they're hungry. In a study, cats were fed their meal of choice, and a live rat released nearby. The cats in the study would pause to hunt and kill the rat, then return to their meal.
Bells don't keep cats from hunting, and don't warn birds of danger.
Wild animals do not know the bell means danger, and may not react to it. Nestlings and fledglings are at particular risk from cats and may not be able to escape even if they do hear a bell. Bells can stress out cats, and many learn to move in ways that prevent the bell from ringing.
Many cats don't bring their kills home.
Some owners of outdoor cats think their cat isn't killing birds because their cat never brings any dead birds home. A study by the American Bird Conservancy showed that outdoor cats only bring home 23 percent of all kills, with 28 percent being eaten or partially eaten on site, and 49 percent being left without eating.
Keeping Cats Indoors Is Good for Cats Too!
Indoor cats live longer lives than their outdoor counterparts. Outdoor cats are at risk from predators such as coyotes or birds of prey, disease, car accidents, and even animal cruelty. Some studies have shown that indoor cats live twice as long as their outdoor counterparts, although these numbers are skewed by high rates of kitten mortality.
Submit a Poster Cat
If you're the owner of an indoor cat, we want to hear from you! Help us show the community that indoor cats are living healthy and happy lives. Use the form below to submit of your photo of your cat indoors or enjoying supervised time outdoors, such as on leash, in a cat backpack, or on a balcony, catio, or even stoop. You'll also include a few sentences about your cat, and a few sentences about why you choose to keep your cat indoors. If selected, your submission will be included in our e-news and posted on our social media as part of our Cats Indoors campaign!
Resources for Transitioning Your Cat to Indoor Life
Transitioning your cat to an indoor life can be a daunting task. Try reducing your cat's outdoor time by just a few minutes a day at first. Reward your cat with play time and attention when they come home. Be prepared to spend more time with your cat as they spend more time inside. Just like people, cats will eat when they're bored, so learn to recognize when your cat is asking for play or attention vs asking for food so that you don't overfeed. Your cat's box will likely need to be cleaned more often as well, so ensure it stays it clean so that your cat is comfortable indoors.
Indoor life doesn't mean your cat never leaves the house again. Cats can enjoy supervised time on the balcony or stoop, sit outside in the yard on lead or in a tent, or enjoy a walk in a cat backpack or on a leash. Another option may be to construct a catio on your balcony or porch, or in your yard.
For more information, South Sound Bird Alliance has compiled an excellent list of resources for those interested in transitioning their cat to indoor life.