Cats are cherished members of our families, bringing joy and companionship into our lives. We want them to be happy, healthy, and stimulated. For many cat owners, this has traditionally meant letting their felines roam freely outdoors.
However, a growing body of scientific evidence is revealing a sad truth: free-roaming cats are a significant threat to bird populations. But there's a simple, rewarding solution that allows your cat to experience the outdoors while protecting local wildlife safely: leash training.
The Toll of Cat Predation
It's a misconception that a well-fed house cat won't hunt. A cat's instinct to stalk and pounce is deeply ingrained, and they will hunt even if they aren't hungry. In the United States alone, outdoor cats are estimated to kill between 1.3 and 4 billion birds each year, making them the number one direct, human-caused threat to birds after habitat loss and climate change.
To put that in perspective, the number of birds killed by cats is higher than the mortality caused by collisions with buildings, cars, and even pesticides combined.
This indiscriminate hunting affects a wide range of species, from common ground-nesting birds like the Dark-eyed Junco and White-crowned Sparrow to threatened species like the Piping Plover. The presence of cats in an area, even if they aren't actively hunting, can also stress bird populations, disrupting their feeding and nesting behaviors and leading to decreased reproduction rates.
A Safer World for Both Cats and Birds
The benefits of keeping your cat contained aren't just for the birds. A cat who is always on a leash or in a contained outdoor space, like a "catio," is a safer cat. Free-roaming felines face many dangers, including:
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Traffic accidents: Cars are a leading cause of death for outdoor cats.
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Predators and other animals: Cats can get into fights with other cats, dogs, coyotes, and other wildlife, which can lead to serious injuries or the transmission of diseases.
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Diseases and parasites: Outdoor cats are at a much higher risk of contracting illnesses like feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and rabies, as well as parasites like fleas and ticks.
By leash-training your cat, you are providing a happy medium that allows them to satisfy their natural curiosity while mitigating these risks. They can enjoy fresh air, new sights, sounds, and smells, all under your watchful eye. This can lead to a more mentally and physically stimulated cat, reducing stress and boredom that can sometimes lead to destructive behaviors indoors.
How to Get Started with Leash Training Your Cat
Training your cat to walk on a leash is a process that requires patience and positive reinforcement. Here are a few steps to get you started:
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Choose the right gear: Don't use a dog leash and collar. Instead, get a harness specifically designed for a cat. The leash attachment should be on the back of the harness, not at the neck, to prevent injury.
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Aclimatization indoors: First, let your cat get used to the harness inside the house. Place the harness near their food or favorite sleeping spot to create a positive association.
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Practice wearing the harness: Put the harness on your cat for short periods, a few minutes at a time, and reward them with treats and praise. Gradually increase the time they wear it.
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Introduce the leash: Once your cat is comfortable with the harness, attach the leash and let them walk around indoors with it dragging behind them. This helps them get used to the feel of the leash.
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Go outside, slowly: Start with short, supervised sessions in a quiet, secure outdoor area like your backyard. Don't pull or force your cat to walk. Let them lead the way and explore at their own pace.
Remember, every cat is different. Some will take to it quickly, while others may need more time. The goal is to make it a positive experience for your feline friend.
For those interested in learning more about the connection between pet ownership and bird conservation, Environment for the Americas offers valuable resources and insights. You can read the article The Cat’s Out, But On a Leash as well as Making Pet Ownership Safer for Birds to explore practical ways to keep both pets and wildlife safe.
Additionally, the World Migratory Bird Day webinar dives into the pressing issue of free-ranging domestic cats, examining their impact on bird populations and offering real-world solutions to protect our feathered friends.
Watch the full session here:
World Migratory Bird Day 2025: A Call to Action
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual global campaign dedicated to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. Past themes have highlighted the importance of protecting bird habitats, addressing plastic pollution, and reducing light pollution. This year, the focus is on creating Shared Spaces in our communities with birds and other wildlife.
Regardless of the specific focus, the overarching message of WMBD consistently emphasizes the threats migratory birds face throughout their journeys. From their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds and all the stopover points in between, these birds encounter numerous hazards. Cat predation, particularly in urban and suburban areas, poses a significant danger during periods of migration when birds are often exhausted, disoriented, and seeking safe places to rest and refuel.
By choosing to leash-train your cat, you are directly contributing to the goals of World Migratory Bird Day. You are creating safer flyways and stopover sites for birds. Your responsible pet ownership helps birds have a better chance of completing their arduous migrations and contributing to healthy ecosystems across continents.
A Shared Responsibility
The decline of bird populations is a complex issue with many contributing factors, but the impact of free-roaming cats is a challenge we can address directly.
By leash-training your cat, you are not only enriching their life and their safety, but you are also becoming a part of the bird conservation movement. It's a small change in habit that can have a monumental impact, helping to preserve the diverse and beautiful birdlife that shares our planet.
References and Further Reading
Cat Predation Statistics
The statistic that cats kill between 1.3 and 4 billion birds each year in the U.S. comes from a comprehensive and widely cited 2013 study published in the journal Nature Communications. Scientists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the study. The American Bird Conservancy and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology frequently cite this study and its findings.
Invasive Predators and Biodiversity
Global studies highlight the broader role of invasive predators, such as cats, in driving biodiversity loss and contributing to species decline.
Risks to Cats Outdoors
Keeping cats indoors or supervised not only protects birds and wildlife but also the cats themselves, which face risks from traffic, disease, and other urban dangers.
Other Threats to Birds
The claim that cat predation is a leading human-caused threat to birds, surpassed only by habitat loss and climate change, is supported by both the American Bird Conservancy and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which have analyzed and compiled data on various threats to avian populations.
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The Cat’s Out, But On a Leash – Environment for the Americas
Explores the importance of keeping cats safely leashed or indoors to reduce risks to both pets and wildlife. -
Making Pet Ownership Safer for Birds – Environment for the Americas
Practical tips and strategies for pet owners who want to support bird conservation while keeping their pets healthy and happy. -
World Migratory Bird Day Webinar: The Impact of Free-Ranging Cats on Birds
A recorded session featuring experts discussing the ecological impact of outdoor cats and presenting solutions for protecting bird populations.
About Environment for the Americas
Environment for the Americas (EFTA) works to protect migratory birds and their habitats by nurturing partnerships between communities throughout the Western Hemisphere, inspiring respect and affinity for nature, and preparing the next generation of conservation leaders through internships, work experience, outreach, research, and training. EFTA is home to World Migratory Bird Day, a global education and conservation campaign working for the protection of migratory birds and the habitats they rely on.
By Alex Drost - Environment for the Americas
Learn more at www.MigratoryBirdDay.org
2 comments
Thank you for the webinars on birding topics, it has been a good learning tool. I enjoy the book club, I hope that it continues.
Within all scientific articles – invasive species is a higher threat to biological diversity than Global Warming as GW is rated as number 5 within some studies and number 6 in others, with a target of 2053 to become # 1. Cats are defined an invasive species, recognizing them as a higher threat than Global Warming. Loss of habitat, rural and urban, are correct as # 1 & 2 threats.