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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you have a cat you have to stop it scaring and eating birds

508 replies

lasagnelle · 10/11/2024 16:10

Get a bell collar or something. Give the wildlife a chance. Can you train cats to leave birds alone?

OP posts:
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6
whydoihavetowork · 10/11/2024 16:25

We were without a cat for about a year. My back garden became pigeon street with them all pooping everywhere constantly. Delighted the cat keeps them at bay. Less delighted when he brings one inside.

Mlanket · 10/11/2024 16:24

humans slaughtering animals

tbf there is often some small chatter around this subject…

shellyleppard · 10/11/2024 16:23

@lasagnelle you can't train cats to not hunt....its in their DNA!!!! What a totally goady post

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 10/11/2024 16:23

birds have large broods specifically for this reason.

This varies massively depending on species.

Herewegoago · 10/11/2024 16:23

introduced predator

Introduced by whom? We don’t get to upset any animals natural habitat and location then get upset by the damage it causes. We are the ones who relocated cats to suit ourselves, we don’t get to now punish them because they don’t behave how we would like them to.

JawsCushion · 10/11/2024 16:23

Tophelleborine · 10/11/2024 16:22

Cat owners are generally really selfish. They don't think it's a problem when their cats shit all over other people's gardens either.

SOME

Tophelleborine · 10/11/2024 16:22

Cat owners are generally really selfish. They don't think it's a problem when their cats shit all over other people's gardens either.

Waterboatlass · 10/11/2024 16:21

I don't think it's a joking matter even if there's no perfect solution. I love cats and wildlife.

I have 2 cats and they both have collars and bells. They seem to stay on, from paw some couture. Clip, not buckle so apparently safe.

The advice I've been given and will been sticking to even if our name is mud among the cats is to keep them in at the height of nesting season for a few weeks.

Crunchymum · 10/11/2024 16:20

Mine are indoor cats.

I now expect an absolute pasting for that!!

sweeneytoddsrazor · 10/11/2024 16:20

Are we to stop Lions killing Zebra?
Crocodiles lining up for the annual wildebeest migration, penguins swiping fish, or humans slaughtering animals

Expletive · 10/11/2024 16:20

Ours have never really bothered with birds? Mice mainly, rats and the odd squirrel. We did have one that dragged in a snake.

They also kill a lot of fledgelings that would have survived perfectly well without an introduced predator taking them.

Introduced from where?

MagpiePi · 10/11/2024 16:20

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 10/11/2024 16:18

Cats don’t actually upset the bird population, if anything they help to strengthen it. They only catch the weak/sick birds that wouldn’t survive anyway.

They also kill a lot of fledgelings that would have survived perfectly well without an introduced predator taking them.

How do you know they would have survived? Other things predate fledglings.

Ginkypig · 10/11/2024 16:19

I’m sorry I agree with your opinion's about wildlife but you can try until you are blue in the face certain cats just won’t listen! If they want to hunt they will and absolutely nothing you can do except for literally keeping them in will stop them.

I had a cat that no matter how big a bell or how sensitive a bell you put on it learned to adapt and move in a way to silence it. It taught itself different versions of that with each different bell.
He nearly lost an eye after getting into an altercation with a bloody squirrel who then Tried to and was quite successful in battering him!

I had another (indoor) cat who loved to watch the birds but wasn’t interested in trying to get them but would try to break a window in furious rage to get to it every time it saw another cat!

other cats are quite happy to just lie and watch the wildlife so part of it is a personality thing I think.

there honestly isn’t an answer to it apart from not having cats in our society which I think you will agree won’t happen.

shellyleppard · 10/11/2024 16:19

@Hunglikeapolevaulter birds have large broods specifically for this reason.

JawsCushion · 10/11/2024 16:19

My cat has as many bells on her collar as I can get on it. Her brother takes his collars off. What the heck do you expect me to do?

If it makes you feel better I say sorry to any bird I have to clean up and stopped feeding them so they weren't bait. They still kept coming for a really long time looking for food. Broke my heart. Mostly it is mice I'm presented with. That ok?

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 10/11/2024 16:18

Cats don’t actually upset the bird population, if anything they help to strengthen it. They only catch the weak/sick birds that wouldn’t survive anyway.

They also kill a lot of fledgelings that would have survived perfectly well without an introduced predator taking them.

Herewegoago · 10/11/2024 16:17

Singleandproud · 10/11/2024 16:14

Collars are dangerous for cats. Yes, it's unfortunate cats go after birds and frogs, but people don't seem to mind so much when they keep the local rat population down too

Funny isn’t it, no one really seems to mind them killing these creatures…

HellsBalls · 10/11/2024 16:17

Herewegoago · 10/11/2024 16:15

Cats don’t actually upset the bird population, if anything they help to strengthen it. They only catch the weak/sick birds that wouldn’t survive anyway. YABU.

What about all the baby blackbirds that spend a few days in the hedges before being able to fly properly?

Original poster
lasagnelle · 10/11/2024 16:17

TheChippendenSpook · 10/11/2024 16:14

I hate it that my cat brings mice and birds back but he has removed every single safety collar that I've put on him. I'm scared to put a buckled collar on him because my sister's cat one nearly got strangely with one when he got caught on a tree branch. I know it's rare but its a scary thought.

If I do spot him stalking something, I will stop him.

The effort is appreciated

OP posts:
whatatodoaboutnothing · 10/11/2024 16:16

Thanks for this
i have told my cat if he’s hungry he needs to have a massive salad and not pick up a bird shaped whilst out and about

Muchtoomuchtodo · 10/11/2024 16:16

ProvincialLady24 · 10/11/2024 16:14

What did he say?

Show quote history

‘Please can I have a collar with a bell on it? I’m a predator but I don’t really want or need to kill any wildlife.’

FleetwoodCam · 10/11/2024 16:15

I tried talking to my cats and they explained they don't smoke or drink alcohol, they have to have some pleasure in life. Their thing is catching and torturing smaller creatures.
How about yelling the birds to be quiet and stop taunting them with their juicy breasts?

Herewegoago · 10/11/2024 16:15

Cats don’t actually upset the bird population, if anything they help to strengthen it. They only catch the weak/sick birds that wouldn’t survive anyway. YABU.

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 10/11/2024 16:15

Are they allowed to kill rats and mice? I need to know before I sit down with them and put boundaries in place.

LadySlipper · 10/11/2024 16:15

Quintette · 10/11/2024 16:11

I’ll have a word with mine, explain the problem. See what he says.

I asked mine, he said 'nah'.

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