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View 2 More +Cats are quirky animals, and you never know what they are going to do next. They don’t follow the pack or do what humans want them to do. So, even when we provide our kitties with an abundantly nutritional diet, they may decide to go off on their own and kill prey to eat as a snack. It may be surprising to learn what kinds of animals a cat will hunt and eat.
So, what about squirrels? Do cats eat squirrels? Cats can and do hunt and eat squirrels. The practice isn’t common, but it can happen when the opportunity presents itself. So, is it healthy for cats to eat squirrels? Let’s explore the answer to that question and more below.
Is It Safe for Cats to Chase and Kill Squirrels?
Cats will chase a squirrel whenever they get the chance. However, doing so can be dangerous. Squirrels have sharp nails and teeth, and they can easily injure a cat that is attacking them. However, cats are larger, stronger, and usually quicker than squirrels when a fight ensues, so they typically win in the end.
Also, wild squirrels can carry parasites and transmit dangerous diseases that can infect your cat during a fight. Diseases that can be passed on from squirrels to humans and cats include:
- Parasites — Squirls often carry fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites that can be transmitted to your cat during a fight or via ingestion.
- Tularemia — Caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, which squirrels can carry and transmit. The signs of this disease include fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and painful skin ulcers. Antibiotics typically cure the disease.
- Rabies — While it’s rare for squirrels to transmit rabies to humans, they can more easily do so to cats if they are not vaccinated. This viral disease is deadly and serious so if you suspect a wild squirrel has bitten your cat, you should bring their vaccination records and immediately have them checked by a veterinarian.
- Leptospirosis — Squirrels can become infected with the Leptospira bacteria when drink, wade through, or dig in contaminated puddles, streams, or mud and they can pass the disease on to your cat if they fight or kill and eat the squirrel or ingest their urine. Unlike in dogs, cats rarely show signs of infection with Leptospirosis, but immunosuppressed individuals may be affected more severely. Signs of leptospirosis include fever, lethargy, inappetence, vomiting or diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and jaundice.
- Salmonellosis — Squirrels can become infected with salmonella bacteria when eating rotten food from garbage cans, and they can pass the disease on to your cat if they fight or kill and eat the squirrel. Signs of salmonella disease include vomiting, intestinal discomfort, and diarrhea.
Therefore, allowing your cat to chase squirrels is not a good idea if you can help it, but if your cat does happen to catch a squirrel and eat it, don’t panic. Call a veterinarian to find out whether you should schedule an appointment. They will let you know which signs to look for that could indicate a severe problem and the need for immediate attention.
Is Eating Squirrels Healthy for Cats?
In addition to possibly being exposed to various diseases and getting injured during the fight, there are other reasons that eating squirrels may not be healthy for cats. For instance, the bones of the squirrel could get lodged in a cat’s throat and cause them to choke. If the bone does not dislodge, it can cause death.
It is also important to note that there are benefits if your cat eats a squirrel. First, catching a squirrel requires exerting energy, which will surely provide your kitty with great exercise. Second, eating squirrels can technically fall within a carnivore’s diet. However, the benefits don’t outweigh the risks for domesticated cats that live in household settings.
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What Is a Cat’s Typical Diet?
As carnivores, cats require animal protein as the main staple in their diet. Wild and stray cats hunt rats, mice, birds, and other small mammals. They might catch a squirrel occasionally, but domesticated cats rely on their human companions to provide food. High-quality commercial cat food that includes chicken, beef, or fish provides your kitty with the nutrients they need for good health without the risks of disease transmission.
In Conclusion
Cats do eat squirrels sometimes, but it could be dangerous for them. The more squirrels that a cat eats, the more susceptible they are to the dangers of doing so, like contracting a disease. Fortunately, most pet cats have plenty to eat at home, and after chasing spiders, cockroaches, and mice, they don’t have much interest in trying to take down squirrels.
- You Might Also Be interested In: Do Cats Eat Snakes? Health Risks & Precautions
Featured Image Credit: RafBan, Shutterstock
