Cat Information

Is it cruel to have a bird table in my garden when I have a pet cat?

I have an elderly pet cat who, to my knowledge, has never managed to catch a bird in her life; she enjoys watching them through the window from indoors, but is too old and slow to ever catch anything. For the first time in my life I no longer live in the city and there are lots and lots of birds here which my son and I love to watch. We'd dearly love to have a bird table, but I'm worried I'd just be creating a buffet for my cat. What do you think?

Public Comments

1. I'm no expert, but it sounds like you'll be fine! Remember if your cat is old she will be sow, you're right, but birds are very quick! We have a bird table right outside our house and we have two cats! They chase them and watch them from the window and they have brought in one or two birds, but not the kind we've seen at the table. Even if she does bring in some birds, just tell her off, throw the bird away and she'll get the idea to leave them alone eventually, in the long run, the birds will thank you for being a food source!
2. No problem. Even if your cat did manage to catch a bird, it would be a slow one, not likely to escape other predators. You would more than make up for it by feeding the others.
3. Hang bird-food in places that the cat can't get at but where the birds can.
4. Just because you dont own a cat does not mean you dont get any coming into your garden. Everyday there is a fresh load of cat crap in my garden and I dont even own one...So what I am saying is that even if you did not have a cat it you would still have someone elses coming into your garden and climbing around so no it's not cruel, it's unavoidable...Having bird baths and tables in your garden is doing them more good then bad so I say go for it. I never feathers everywhere around my bird table so I assume they are not getting attacked.
5. Cats are lovely, but they kill millions of birds, even when they are well fed, well loved, and have bells on their collars, according to the studies below. Check out this video: http://www.5min.com/Video/Save-the-Birds-Keep-Your-Cat-Safe-56670283 And websites: http://www.wildbirds.com/ProtectBirds/CatsBirds/tabid/680/Default.aspx http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=cats+killin+birds Try a bib?? http://www.catgoods.com/ Can't you just keep kitty inside??? Thanks for caring!
6. No, but some day the cat may get lucky or the bird may get unlucky.
7. There are ways to make the table hard to get to for a cat. Buy some toys for the cat if it's bored.
8. i have two cats and two bird baths and never had anything happen yet.
9. I have a cat and a bird, although the bird is in a cage, the cat just sleeps next to it and has never tried anything mean. She does like to watch and listen - but she's 6 - she just likes to sleep and gets frisky at night - that's when most birds are incognito.
10. A bell on the cat collar will save the birds an give you hours of free entertainment.
11. if the cat is old and won't bother the birds, go for it.
12. PUT THE BIRD TABLE ON A ROOF ;)
13. Certainly have a bird table and feed the birds. Just locate it in the open where the cat can't jump onto it from a nearby wall or tree. Enjoy yourselves!
14. You better believe if your cats has always gone outside..it HAS captured and eaten birds. Most owners have NO clue that their cats are out there hunting without them knowing any better. http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/index.html If she is older and slowing down now..she may not be able to catch birds as easily. You might want to place feeders high enough for your cat not to be able to reach them..and near some sort of vegetation so that the birds might be able to seek refuge there if your cat or a neighbors cat is after them. This is also good for birds to have a hiding place in case birds of prey decide to make your feeders a feeding ground for itself. You can also try one of these collars..sure they are a little silly looking, but if you see your cat actively going after birds, you might give this a try: http://www.catgoods.com/
15. You shouldn't have too much of a problem. Make sure the bird table is stable and site it in the open with no nearby cover for cats to lurk ready to pounce. At the same time it's a good idea to have trees, shrubs or anywhere that the birds can make a quick escape to. Most birds make sure it's safe to visit a table and are good at keeping alert for cats or any other animal or bird that may be a threat and will sound an alarm for all to hear. I don't have a cat myself but there are plenty of all ages and ability in the neighbourhood. Apart from the odd feather, usually wood pigeon that aren't so quick to get off the ground, there isn't much of a problem.
16. Bird tables are too awesome, so definitely try! You could always take the table down if your kitty goes killer. :D
17. cats gotta eat as well
18. Most bird tables are about five feet tall or above located by their owners in open spaces where any predators of any description can be observed by the eating bird. You may not need these precautions for your own pet but there are others out there who will seek any opportunity. I have 4 tables but no cat of my own but there are cats in the area and I don't have problems with them. Birds mainly get caught when they are foraging on the ground, they cannot get airborne fast enough as cats can jump about three feet and therefore catch them in the air. The time it takes a cat to jump up to five feet allows a bird to escape very easily.. The little creatures need more people like you ..