Do Cats Eat Squirrels? Is It Harmful to Them?

Squirrels on the menu.

What could possibly go wrong?

Death-defying leaps and aerial acrobatics.

A race against time.

The secret to survival right under your paws.

Today's guide spills the beans.

Ready?🐾

Let's roll!

Do Cats Eat Squirrels?

Cats absolutely adore gobbling up those speedy squirrels—they can't resist!

It's in their genetic coding, ingrained deeply within them.

It's like a thrilling game for them, ensuring they stay mentally sharp and their nimble paws deft. Plus, it keeps them fit—gotta maintain that sleek physique, you know?

Now, when your feline friend is on the prowl, primed to catch its prey, it typically begins by feasting on the squirrel's head.

Curious why?

Well, my friend, it's all about maximizing the meaty goodness while minimizing bothersome fur.

Here's something fascinating:

This behavior transcends domesticity or wildness.

No matter if they're roaming through untamed forests or lurking in your own backyard, cats never pass up the chance to indulge in a flavorsome banquet of small mammals. Squirrels, mice, voles—if it skitters around, they'll be after it.

So, the next time you catch sight of your furry companion eyeing that squirrel nestled in a tree, just remember—they're simply embracing their innate instincts.

It's their way of injecting excitement into life, one captivating hunt at a time.

And if you're intrigued by the idea of cats feasting on small mammals like squirrels, wait till you hear about their appetite for mice.

I have written a comprehensive guide that explores whether cats eat mice whole and what to do if your feline friend indulges in such behavior.

Intrigued? Check out my article on Do Cats Eat Mice Whole for all the answers you need.

Is It Normal for Cats to Eat Squirrels?

Cats, whether they’re snuggled up on your couch or wandering the streets as feral cats, have a penchant for squirrels let's be honest.

The thing is, it’s not really about getting their nutritional needs met.

Even when well-fed by you – their keeper of the kibbles – cats can’t resist the thrill of the hunt.

It feeds into their primal instincts. So much so that catching squirrels might as well be printed in their DNA.

But wait, there's more...

Bringing home squirrels (or squirrels remember all those hours earning YouTube views) taps into another side of feline behavior:

Their caregiver role. That squirrel?

Consider it a cat proud to offer you a perfectly curated gift as an equal exchange for all the food and belly rubs you provide.

Although cats may have just devoured a delicacy from a fancy can, the chase itself offers both exercise and mental stimulation for them.

When cats harness that wild Hunter-Killer energy, they tap into something deeply ingrained.

And if your curiosity about what cats eat extends beyond squirrels, you'll be happy to know that I've also written a helpful article on another unusual delicacy.

In my guide, Do Cats Eat Caterpillars, I delve into the intriguing question of whether our feline friends have a taste for these crawling critters, and if this curiosity might lead to any potential hazards.

So if you're wondering about caterpillars and their significance in a cat's diet, be sure to check out my article.

Your inquisitiveness will be satisfied!

Do Cats Attack Squirrels?

Cats are born hunters, with sharp claws and teeth to match.

Their keen vision and sense of smell make them natural predators.

Experienced cats have honed their skills and have a better chance at catching squirrels than novice feline hunters like myself.

Sometimes, cats just enjoy the excitement of chasing squirrels, without any intention of actually catching them.

It's all about the thrill of the chase for us.

However, there are many cats who hunt for food or fun, which can be dangerous for squirrels like you.

Although cats generally prefer smaller prey, given the opportunity, we won't hesitate to go after squirrels like yourself.

You must mention that baby squirrels are especially vulnerable to cat attacks because they can't defend themselves. Your small size and quick movements trigger our hunting instincts.

Let's not forget, squirrels have sharp claws and teeth too - that means there's a risk of getting injured during these encounters, and we don't want that.

So, if your furry friend goes on a squirrel-hunting adventure, it's important for you to check them afterwards.

Chasing squirrels exposes us to other dangers as well, like falling trees, getting hit by vehicles, or even getting bitten by squirrels like yourself.

Now, once we've caught a squirrel, its chances of survival are pretty slim. But let's not underestimate your intelligence.

You squirrels can outsmart inexperienced cats like me sometimes.

Generally speaking, wild squirrels fear cats and will run away, even in busy urban areas.

However, intentionally exposing cats to squirrels can actually increase our desire to hunt and kill. It's a matter of perspective whether this is desirable or not.

So, while we cats definitely attack squirrels, both sides face risks.

You could end up being dinner, and we cats may get hurt or have accidents during our pursuit of you.

That's why you should consider the well-being of all animals involved in these encounters.

And now, let me share with you some practical strategies to help minimize your cat's hunting opportunities!

Can I Stop My Cat From Eating Squirrels?

Stopping your cat from hunting squirrels completely may be challenging, but minimizing their opportunities is possible.

Here are some practical ways to do it:

1. Keep cats indoors during peak squirrel activity hours and provide supervised outdoor time.
2. Attach bells to their collars to reduce successful hunts.
3. Engage cats in mentally stimulating playtime to redirect their hunting instincts.
4. Ensure they have a high-quality meal to prevent hunger-induced hunting.
5. Use toys specifically designed to simulate hunting and provide exercise for indoor cats.
6. Consider introducing another pet as a companion to occupy your cat’s attention.
7. Trim branches and install netting to discourage squirrels from entering your yard.
8. Employ distractions such as toys, games, or treat dispensers to divert cats' attention from prey.
9. Train cats to target toy mice instead of live ones.

It's safer to keep cats inside, provide mental and physical stimulation, and use prevention methods like bells, toys, and behavior redirection to deter them from hunting squirrels.

Are Certain Breeds of Cats Better at Catching Squirrels?

Here are ten cat breeds that are really good at catching squirrels:

1. Bengals
2. Somalis
3. Maine Coons
4. Norwegian Forest Cats
5. Abyssinians
6. Siamese
7. Ocicats
8. Savannahs
9. Burmese
10. American Shorthairs

These cats have the right size, agility, and natural talent to be awesome at chasing squirrels.

Of course, domesticated cats may not be as skilled as their wild relatives, but they can still tap into their hunting instincts. 😺

So, if you're looking for a furry friend who can help control the squirrel population around your place, these breeds might be worth considering.

Just make sure to give them enough playtime and mental activities to satisfy their hunting desires.

Happy squirrel hunting!

Risks of Cats Consuming Squirrels: Nutritional Value and Diseases

The advantages of cats eating squirrels are pretty awesome. Squirrel meat has lots of fluid, so it means your cat won't have to drink as much water.

That's good for their teeth!

Plus, cats love being hunters, so chasing squirrels gives them exercise and keeps their brains busy.

But, there are some risks you should know about.

Eating squirrels can make your cat sick with diseases like rabies, plague, Lyme disease, or toxoplasmosis. And they can also choke on the bones or get infections from the germs in their prey.

To keep your furry friend safe, ensure to take them to the vet regularly and get all their shots.

Keep an eye out for any unwanted hitchhikers on your kitty too.

And while squirrel snacks can be nutritious, consider adding other foods with lots of protein to give them a well-rounded diet.

That way, your cat gets the benefits without relying only on squirrels.

Cats and Squirrels: A Nutritional and Behavioral Perspective

Key Takeaways:

And that wraps up today's article.

If you wish to read more of my useful articles, I recommend you check out some of these: Chocolate Ice Cream and Cats, Can Cat Eat Raw Fish, Can Cats Eat Candy, Can Cats Eat Cereal, and Do Cats Eat Ants

Talk soon,

-Sarah Davis