If you have a cat that you allow to come and go from your home as they please, you are probably aware of several dangers that can present themselves. Traffic is a major concern, as are people who might want to steal your cat, especially if they are a rare or popular breed. Luckily, cats are pretty intelligent and tend to run from strangers, but another big threat comes from other predators.
Keep reading while we take a look at several predators that could cause harm to your pet. We’ll show you what they look like and tell you a little about them so you are informed before you let your pet outdoors.
The 9 Most Common Animals That Attack Cats
1. Birds of Prey
It may seem ironic for a bird to attack a cat, but there are several areas in the United States where a hawk, eagle, or owl can grow large enough to present a potential danger to your pet, especially if they’re still a kitten or are a tiny breed. To make matters worse, you are likely to see the eagle or hawk during the day, while the owl comes out at night, so there’s no safe time to let your cat out if you live in an area where these birds reside. These types of attacks are quite infrequent, but should be considered in areas where these birds are present.
2. Cougars
The cougar is a major threat to any cat that lives in the Western United States and Florida. It usually goes after larger prey like chickens and sheep, but it will attack a cat if it’s an easy target. Wildlife officials recommend calling the authorities if you see one because it tends to find a perch and stalk its prey, much like your house cat might. It can stay by your home for several days, attacking multiple targets.
3. Coyotes
You can find coyotes all over the United States. It’s one of the most dangerous predators of both our cats and our dogs. It’s nocturnal, so the best defense is to keep them indoors at night. It’s unlikely that you will see one in a city, but you might see one on the edge of town in a park or cemetery. They are a bigger problem in rural areas with plenty of trees they can use for cover. Keeping your garbage can tightly closed can help steer them away from your home.
4. Porcupines
You can find a porcupine anywhere in the United States, though they usually do a good job of hiding, and many people may never see one. Porcupines are not aggressive, and they are herbivores, so they are not predators, but if your cat attacks one, they may get a face full of quills. These quills can cause a lot of damage to your cat’s face and body, so make sure you take your cat to the vet if you suspect they’ve had an encounter with a porcupine.
5. Raccoons
Raccoons are another animal that you can find almost anywhere in the United States. While they are not typically aggressive, they can put up a deadly fight if your cat attempts to get territorial. Raccoons have strong, sharp claws and teeth, and they often carry disease. This means that even if the cat survives the fight, they might have rabies.
- Related Read: Do Possums Attack and Eat Cats?
6. Rats
When hunting a rat, a cat risks being bitten, which can lead to a serious injury. Rats have strong teeth and can defend themselves aggressively. Additionally, they can carry infectious diseases that may spread through bites, as well as parasites like fleas that can infest cats.
7. Scorpions
Scorpions are a real threat in the southwestern part of the United States, and they’re not only dangerous for your cat but also harmful to you. However, it’s worse for cats because your pet may chase and stalk these small creatures, and if unlucky, get stung. You will need to immediately take your cat to the vet if you notice them limping or looking unhealthy.
8. Skunks
While skunks are certainly not predators, they can spray your cat, which can harm their eyes. Once sprayed, your cat will run home and can spread the smell around your house. You will need to quickly contain your cat and towel them off to remove as much spray as you can before bathing them. Skunks also have sharp claws, and they can carry rabies.
9. Snakes
There are approximately 20 species of venomous snakes in North America, including the copperhead, rattlesnake, and cottonmouth. These snakes bite 7,000–8,000 people per year, according to the CDC. Cats naturally pounce on things that move like a snake does, and while there is a good chance the cat will kill the snake, it can easily go the other way.
- Related read: Do Hawks Eat Birds? How Do Hawks Kill Birds?
Summary
Some of the animals are specific to certain areas of the United States, but you can find several of them anywhere. If you intend to let your cat outside, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them and try to get your pet into a routine that causes them to come home frequently, so you will know sooner if there is a problem.
Snakes are especially common, and if your cat goes outside at night, they will encounter a raccoon, porcupine, or skunk eventually. It’s also important to remember that the common house cat is one of the deadliest animals on the planet, which is what gets them in trouble with many of these animals. Your cat can cause a lot of damage to the local wildlife, so that’s important to consider too.
We hope you have enjoyed reading and found some helpful information to help keep your pet safe.
Featured Image Credit: bazoul, Shutterstock
