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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if you've got a cat which hunts prolifically you should either

136 replies

ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 08:47

Keep it in or put a fucking bell on it's collar.

I've just seen a neighbours new cat leap from the ground and grab a goldfinch from one of my feeders. Yesterday I found 2 piles of feathers and the day before a dead sparrow on my doorstep. In 4 years of feeding I've never had a cat problem untill this new one arrived.

I'm going to have to stop feeding them, I feel like I'm luring them to their deaths. Sad as it sounds I'm gutted, feeding the birds is something I get immense pleasure from.

I'm really quite pissed off

OP posts:
SkiHorseWonAWean · 22/07/2010 10:57

YABU and need to get a hobby if this is the biggest woe in your life. Ornithology?

Hassled · 22/07/2010 11:01

Yes, you need a good water pistol, and to drench the cat every time you see it in your garden - it will get the message quite quickly. And raise the feeders.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 22/07/2010 11:04

I dunno, it's just nature isn't it? cats eat birds. Birds eat birds! Animals get hunted and eaten by other animals. I think that we just need to accept thats the balance of nature.

Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 11:10

Lol at needing to get a hobby! I have plenty of hobbies thankyou but perhaps I should start breeding cats, that seems to be the hobby if choice round here. Sorry if my life isn't so traumatic that I don't get bothered by the small things. I feel sorry for anyone in that situation.

I've moved the feeders up with the aid of a chair.

Killer cat just sat watching while I trimmed the hedge.

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 22/07/2010 11:16

Cat collars come with a stretchy bit so they can't get stuck in a tree.

It's pretty hard to keep a collar on a cat for very long if they don't want it on.

ppeatfruit · 22/07/2010 11:20

I thought that birds should only be fed in winter "cos it makes them lazy to feed all yr.and they forget the insects and slugs etc. Supersoakers do work.

Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 11:24

The rsbp recommEnd feeding all year.

I think I'll invest in a supersoaker though. Be good for water fights if nothin else!

At least cats don't seem to shit in my garden.

OP posts:
FindingMyMojo · 22/07/2010 11:27

Such a shame cats can't be trained to hunt mice & rats but NOT birds!

I used to feed the birds on the top of the garden shed - out of reach of the cat. Had hilarious afternoon watching the cat crouch, crawl, wriggle and launch himself at the shed only to crash into the side & slide down - just like a cartoon. He did this repeatedly, while the birds scoffed on & laughed at him.

Bells for cats collars are indeed a good idea.

HECTATE I don't think your arguments work in these times. If we were leaving it all up to nature we wouldn't be feeding cats and there would be a lot less of them. Cats are killing birds because of their instinct, not for food. And because cats are popular pets there are many more of them around than if we left them to take care of themselves.

Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 11:30

Wouldn't it be wonderfull if cats could be trained to hunt slugs !

OP posts:
BaggedandTagged · 22/07/2010 11:37

Hecate- the issue is that domestic cats aren't a natural feature of the British ecosystem - they didnt evolve but have been bred as hunters by man for ratting/ pest control. Unlike most wild cats, domestic cats kill even when they're not hungry.

Citrus81 · 22/07/2010 11:42

This is why I dislike cats. They just kill for the sake of it. Horrible things.

DP has one and I insist it has a massive bell on it's collar and if I catch it with any animal I chuck water on it.

I don't think cats should be kept as pets. I think it's selfish to buy an animal and then let it wonder off and shit in other people's gardens etc. You'd never get away with that with a dog.

starzzz · 22/07/2010 11:46

My cat has 5 bells on her collar, and she still manages a sucessful hunt! If they are determined, there isnt alot you can do, they will find a way.

Callisto · 22/07/2010 11:46

Cats do terrible damage to wild bird populations in the UK. One of the reasons several bird species are in decline is due to the massive amount of cats around now.

Citrus81 · 22/07/2010 11:48

I bet cat owners would find a way to keep their pets indoors if there was a nasty species of cat-hunter on the loose.

I wonder if cat owners would just pick up the torn apart carcasses of their pet, shrug and say "well, its just nature I suppose"

LuluF · 22/07/2010 11:54

I didn't think it was a good idea to feed birds anyway - doesn't it stop them migrating? We don't feed the birds - I'm not that keen on them - and also the seed encourages rats.

We have a cat - he doesn't wear a collar, but doesn't do much other than sleep. For years the only thing he caught was a dead worm and a piece of toast. He's been more adventurous since our other cat died and has caught a few young birds. Not what I'd call a prolific hunter though.

Dylanpsmummy - as if moving a bird feeder is going to stop your neighbour's cat catching birds and taking them home anyway. Your neighbour's silly as well as extremely cheeky.

But I don't think you can really keep cats in the house - that's a bit mean. No problem with bells on collars, though it doesn't seem to stop cats.

SupposedToBeWorking · 22/07/2010 12:07

I've just moved into a place with a sonic cat scarer in the (pretty small) garden. Apparently cats used to use the gravel path for a litter tray.

Not a cat to be seen, and the garden full of birds. Scarer is movement sensitive and really annoying if I'm just putting the washing out or something (not everyone can hear it but I appear to have amazing cat-like hearing ). Can be switched off if I'm going to sit out on the lawn though.

Stricnine · 22/07/2010 12:08

We have two cats - both with bells on collars, but they can move and hunt silently even with them so doesn't stop the mice, birds etc getting caught - it's in their nature.. (although ours do prefer mice apparently!)

They also chase the foxes which is kinda scary but foxes are cowards!

The other way to look at it it 'survival of the fittest' - if the birds / mice etc are caught, they're the slowest and therefore out of the 'gene pool' - next generation will be faster!!

deaddei · 22/07/2010 12:10

It's what cats do.
Mine is inept at catching birds, but I wish she'd get the ones which wake me up at 4 in the morning.

Doodleydoo · 22/07/2010 12:13

Well mine hunts snails! Which is probably no good thing as less for the birdies to eat!

Doodleydoo · 22/07/2010 12:17

I think people in general (as in the populus) would be far worse off without having pets, they can be a great source of comfort to many lonely people. But each to their own. Would prefer a killer cat to a mouse or domestic rat - really do not see the point in them...........

Citrus81 · 22/07/2010 12:20

Well I bet my psyco guinea pig could kick a cat's ass.

Galena · 22/07/2010 12:23

To those with bell-wearing superhunters:

Try attaching a massive cowbell to the collar - that should cramp their style somewhat!

deaddei · 22/07/2010 12:24

lol @ Galena.....

Citrus81 · 22/07/2010 12:24

lol

Doodleydoo · 22/07/2010 12:25

Good point Galena - my cat is quite small, would quite like to see him move with it on let along catch defenseless snails.......

on the other hand if he can't move he might not get to the litter tray..............

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