Have you ever wondered “Do cats eat squirrels?”
The answer is yes.
They do
But it depends
If you think your indoor cat would eat a squirrel then I doubt it
Indoor cats are fed and looked after
So they won’t go around hunting for food
Whereas a stray or feral cat it’s a different story
Stray cats are not usually fed so they’re hungry
So they are close to the rats family
Cats are predators, hunting is part of their instinct
Think about it, a cat would eat a bunny and a squirrel is more or less the same size
DISCLOSURE: http://catloverhere.com/ is reader supported so if you buy any products featured on this site I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.
Would A Cat Eat A Squirrel?
Some cats would actually eat the squirrel
Depending how hungry they are
While other cats may just kill it and then play around with it
Similar to how they would deal with a mouse
Have you ever seen your cat kill a mouse and not eat it?
They would play around with it and throw it around
Practice their hunting skills until it dies
Then it just leaves it
So a cat may do the same with a squirrel
Is It Normal For a Cat To Eat a Squirrel
It is normal because they are predators and carnivores
They eat meat and squirrels are meat
Even your cat may eat a squirrel (If you let your cat outside)
An indoor cat won’t because obviously they won’t see a squirrel to chase after
Stray and feral cats would eat a squirrel especially if they are hungry
How To Stop Your Cat From Eating Squirrels?
You may be a squirrel lover
They do look cute
And you feel bad your cat is going out there hunting and eating squirrels!
I don’t blame you
I just love the way squirrels run up a tree – they’re quick!
Anyways, if you want your cat to stop eating squirrels the best way to do it is to not let your cat outside
Now if your cat is an outdoor cat and roams around
It’s impossible for you to stop this happening
If you want your cat to explore outside but stop killing squirrels
The only way this could be possible is if you build a cat catio
That way your cat can explore nature but not hunt
You can also keep an eye out on your cat and make sure no squirrels nest in the catio
What Happens If a Cat Eats a Squirrel?
There’s always a risk if a cat eats a rodent which can be a Squirrel too as mentioned earlier in the article
Here’s what could happen if a cat eats a Squirrel according to pets.thenest.com
Rabies
Once in a while squirrels could have rabies
If your cat has eaten one then the rabies could catch the disease
Even if your cat has not eaten it but the squirrel bites your cat this can infect your cat too
Here are some signs to look out for
- Cat acts agitated
- Cat is fearful
- Cat is acting abnormal
- Drooling
- Stumble around when walking
Your cat can pass on the disease to you but human deaths are rare
Fleas
Your cat could catch fleas
Squirrels can carry fleas and if your cat comes into contact with it then fleas could also come on to your cat
It can be an annoying problem for your furbaby if they have fleas
Make sure to use flea drops or tablets to deal with it immediately
Choking
Squirrels have bones obviously
They can be tiny and if your cat has decided to eat the squirrel it can be a choking hazard
If you notice your cat choking then make sure to act immediately!
Quickly open your cats mouth and see if you can take out the bone yourself
If you find it difficult – take your baby to the vets asap!
Wrapping It Up
So do cats eat squirrels
The answer is yes
It’s normal for a cat to hunt for squirrels, kill them and eat them
It may be not be something you’d want to hear because squirrels are cute
But it’s the circle of life
If your cat is an outdoor cat, it’s hard to stop your cat from killing squirrels
Unless you build a catio and keep an eye out on your cat
If your cat does bring home a dead squirrel or even a mouse
Keep an eye out to make sure your cat did not catch rabies or any other disease or if your cat starts to choke!
Related Articles