of 36 % in wildlife captured and brought home by cats ( Cecchetti et al ., 2020a ). Another study by Cecchetti et al . ( 2021 ) revealed that cats rely on food from their owners even if they frequently kill wild animals . The persistence of hunting therefore may be a physiological or behavioural need that is unmet by their environment and / or diet ( Cecchetti et al ., 2021 ). Well-fed cats will still hunt and , even in cats with some nutritional deficiency , hunting is unlikely to alter their macronutrient intake , as cats often only consume a small amount of their prey ( Cecchetti et al ., 2021 ).
DIET AND ENRICHMENT AT HOME
In the ‘ indoor versus outdoor access ’ debate , physical risks such as road traffic accidents are often raised against outdoor access , whereas risks to the emotional wellbeing of a cat are highlighted against an indooronly lifestyle ( iCatCare , 2019 ). Problem behaviours , such as scratching furniture , can be caused by boredom or frustration , so cat owners with indoor-only cats are encouraged to take more responsibility for providing a rich and stimulating environment ( iCatCare , 2019 ). It has been noted that outdoor cats tend to be slimmer than indoor-only cats ( iCatCare , 2019 ), and one way to combat weight gain and boredom is by using puzzle feeders . Conversely , a study by Cecchetti et al . ( 2020a ) found a 33 % increase in predation on wildlife when using puzzle feeders for outdoor cats . However , this was attributed to device novelty , insufficient training of owners and / or cats , or the inability to easily access food , resulting in hunger or frustration . The study also revealed that households that introduced a grain-free food with high meat-derived proteins saw a decrease
When cats display hunting behaviour they release endorphins . Playing with a cat to encourage them to stalk , pounce and chase can replicate this hunting behaviour and keep them mentally stimulated ( Cats Protection , 2021a ). Fishing-rod toys with feathers can be a good way to mimic prey , but it is important to periodically allow the cat to ‘ catch and kill ’ the toy to avoid frustration ( Cats Protection , 2021a ). A bond can develop between cats and their owners during play , which often has a positive effect on both parties ’ wellbeing . In the study by Cecchetti et al . ( 2020a ), there was a decrease of 25 % in animals captured and brought home by cats when 5 – 10 minutes of daily play with a feathered toy was introduced .
NESTING SEASON AND FLEDGLING BIRDS
Baker et al . ( 2005 ) found that predation on birds was greatest in spring and summer , and probably reflected the killing of juvenile individuals . Minimum predation rates for the house sparrow , dunnock and robin were moderately high ( Baker et al ., 2005 ). House sparrows are on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern ( Stanbury et al ., 2021 ), and Baker et al . ( 2005 ) believe the impact of cats on this species warrants further investigation .
VOL 38 • July 2022
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