You probably love cuddling with cats that are cute and soft and are adorable with their big eyes. But at the same time, you should know that cats belong to the Felidae family, which includes both wild species like lions and tigers, as well as domesticated cats. These cute cats have a wild side that we humans don't like to acknowledge.
Cute Cats are also Predators
Free-roaming domestic cats are considered an invasive species. They threaten ecosystems by hunting and decimating native species. According to the Global Invasive Species Database, domestic cats affect 587 endangered species, and they have contributed to 14% of all extinctions of birds, mammals, and reptiles on islands. Cats pose a significant threat to critically endangered species, according to IFAW.
Criticism from Animal Lovers
As IFAW highlights, cats are a threat to endangered animals. All About Birds estimates that in the US alone, 1.3-1.4 billion birds are killed by cats, of which 69% are by feral or unowned cats, and the rest by domesticated house cats. It may sound like a lot, but in the US alone, there are 100 unowned cats and 50 house cats that hunt outdoors.
There has also been criticism from Sweden, led by Jonas Wahlström, the head of Skansen Aquarium. Jonas argues that if you're a true animal lover, you should keep your domesticated cats indoors, as it's unnatural to let domesticated predators roam free. For domesticated cats, it's not necessary to hunt for food, and Jonas says that
There are examples of cats that kill small animals for fun.
Jonas Wahlström's Tips for Cat Owners
- Keep your cat indoors, especially during spring and summer when animals give birth and birds hatch their young.
- Keep your cat under supervision at all times when it's outdoors. If your cat is outside, it's out to hunt and kill. Never let it roam free.
Top List of Countries with Cats as Pets
World Population Review lists US in top of the list of countries with cats as pets, with approximately 75 million cats. China follows with 53 million, Russia with 23 million, and Germany and France with around 15 million cats.
So from bird and animal lovers, a more peaceful 2025 is wished for, with fewer domesticated cats hunting birds and other small animals.
