Hawks Attack Neighborhood Cats

There are many reasons why you should keep your cats indoors but the one that most people overlook is keeping your cat indoors due to hawks flying low.

"Red-tailed hawks and great horned owls are two of North America's most common and widespread raptors. Red-tailed hawks mainly eat small mammals like rodents and rabbits, plus birds and snakes, and aren't considered a threat to most pets. That said, some larger red-tailed hawks may be able to carry prey weighing 5 pounds (2 kg), according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which could include not just puppies and kittens, but also some adult cats and dogs from small breeds. “ Quote from https://www.treehugger.com/how-much-weight-can-hawk-carry-4868712  

All about birds states that Most dogs (and cats) are large enough to be safe from hawks and owls. Even very small dogs may be too heavy for a hawk or owl to carry, although it’s still possible that large raptors might attack them. For instance, black-tailed jackrabbits can reach the weight of a small dog (6 pounds) and are a fairly common prey item for Red-tailed Hawks in the western United States.  Birds of the World. 

If you reside close to a wooded area, or state park then chances there are hawks that are foraging.  Spring is the worst time of the year due to the feeding of their young.  

Today I received a text that was an alert of the hawks flying low to the ground. An adult red-tailed hawk will swoop down and grab your cat with its talons, or the hawk will land in your yard and kill your cat by strangulation or they will fly high enough to drop your cat, then retrieve the prey.  We have observed this firsthand a 4-pound feral cat was grabbed by the hawk air-lifted before being dropped. The cat survived. (we knew the weight of the cat from TNR records) 

Know that in the wild the prey is uncertain and even though small cats and dogs are not a hawk's diet that isn't a reason to dismiss that the cat could be an occasional food source for the hawk.  Both hawks and cats come in different sizes/weights so it comes down to size and opportunity.

 

We always know when the hawks are flying low to the ground because the squirrels and feral cats are hiding, but the domesticated cat may approach the hawk that is on the ground to investigate. The hawk has the advantage please keep your cats indoors when hawks are flying low in your neighborhood.

Cat Safety During Thunderstorm

There are two Bengal  cats that comes to visit my yard daily; these cats used to belong to a neighbor that resided two blocks away. But they moved and now their neighbor  in that area have been feeding and providing shelter for the cats,  however both cats seem to find their way to my yard daily. 

Normally when the weather is mild, the cats will lie happily in my yard and underneath my shrubs, sometimes they hid under the ornamental grass leaves.  It is all good, I love cats and do not mind the feline visitors. However  yesterday a thunderstorm was in the forecast  and the lightening and wind was to be fierce.  The sky was darkening and we cold hear the thunder in the distance.

The Bengal cats had no time to get back to their homw.   The cats were cowering under the overgrown foliage in the garden and my husband says “the cats will never make it home before the storm.

 We agreed to provide the neighborhood cats with shelter and decided to open up our garage for them.  

My husband picks up one cat and I picked up his sister and we ran through the rain to get to the garage.  We put both cats in a large cat cage.  Then I made up a bowl of water, food and put fresh litter in the box.  All of these items were added to the cage along with a cat bed that was sprayed with feliway comfort zone  behavior modifier to help to keep the Bengals calm during the storm.   

Husband covered the cat cage with a cotton blanket to comfort frightened cats.  I turned on the radio so they could listen to new age music.  We took steps to keep the cats safe during a thunderstorm.  

It poured rain for several hours but by late afternoon the dark clouds passed and the sun came out.  Husband went to the garage and opened the cat cage, he allowed the cats to exit our garage and the Bengal cats did not hesitate they went home. 

Do you provide neighborhood cats with shelter in an emergency? 
Would you bring a cat in out of the rain?

Why Cats Need Breakaway Collars

Breakaway cat collars are designed so when the collar has pressure the buckle will open and the cat will be released from the collar.  Breakaway collars are essential for all outdoor cats.  It protects the cat from getting hung up on a branch or fence post.

There are many types of breakaway cat collars, some are plain with bell and identification tag and others are reflective which allows motorist to see the cat on the street and the pet owner to view the cat in their yard or in a dark room. 

Cat Breakaway collar with bell

Both indoor-outdoor cats need breakaway collars with an identification tag.  These collars are helpful especially if the cat wanders off and gets lost.

Example:  A few years back there was a tornado and all of our cats got outside from a broken window.  Luckily they all had their collars on and identification tags and all were returned to us.

When it comes to cat safety I usually buy breakaway collars in bulk.  I look for them when they are on sale and buy as many as I can.  All cats that go outdoors wear a breakaway collar that has their identification tag.

Cat Collar - Size and Fit
Make sure the breakaway cat collar is the right size.  Measure your cats neck and then buy a collar that is one inch larger. If your cats neck is 8 inches get a 9 inch collar.

You can adjust the collar to fit your cat's neck.  Proper fit is important.   I do not put the collar on tight; a collar that allows two fingers to fit in-between your cat’s neck and the collar is a good fit.  Also make sure that the collar will move freely from side to side on your cat’s neck.

Cat Collar Safety Tips:

1. Allow the cat to get use to the collar by putting the collar on the cat while they are in the house.  Once the cat is use to the collar they will not try to get it off.
2. Get a Reflective Safe Cat collar that is visible up to 600 feet.
3. Thin safety collars are good for cats that are not use to collars.  Allow the cat to get use to safety collar before going outdoors.  Make sure it is a good fit and that the cat will not be able to get paw up under the collar. 
4. Collars with bells are good especially for birds, they will know when your outdoor cat is close.  Bells will also give you an idea as to where your cat is.
5. Okay to buy small dog breakaway collar (toy breed) for your cat.

Breakaway Collar Warnings:

1. Never glue the buckle on a cat collar shut. 

1. Check collars with bells to make sure the bell is attached securely.  If it is loose it is better to remove the bell as your cat may swallow it.