What Do Cats Eat In The Wild
What Do Cats Eat In The Wild
This is the question that has been on the minds of cat owners for centuries, and it’s a good one: what do cats eat in the wild? The answer is not always as simple as “mice and birds.” In fact, cats eat a lot of different things depending on where they live. Some species are omnivores and eat almost anything; others are obligate carnivores who only eat meat (and even those have some plant matter in their diet). Cats use their keen sense of smell to hunt prey. Their eyesight is also quite sharp but cannot see well at night like many other predators can — so they’re more active during daylight hours than most other animals that hunt by sight alone.
Mice — and Other Rodents
If you’re thinking, “How can cats eat mice? Mice are way too small to be a meal for a cat!” then you may need to have a conversation with your vet.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat in their diet. However, unlike most animals (and humans), cats can subsist on a diet consisting only of plant material and water without adverse effects. In fact, many people advise against feeding cats an exclusively meat-based diet due to the health risks associated with such an extreme and unnatural diet. More commonly, cats get their protein from smaller prey like birds or rodents (for example: mice). Rodents provide abundant protein for these hunters—and this is especially true because of their fast breeding rate.
Birds — and Their Eggs
Birds are, perhaps unsurprisingly, an important part of a cat’s diet. They are an important source of protein and can be caught easily. However, unlike birds themselves, which cats can catch with their paws and eat whole, eggs are not so easy for them to get hold of.
Eggs contain plenty of protein and vitamins that would be beneficial for a cat to consume; however the shells will impede this process. Cats have sharp teeth but do not have the ability to break through eggshells on their own (in fact they cannot even chew chicken bones). It is possible that some cats may be able to crack open an egg if they try hard enough (I’ve seen it done), but most won’t bother trying at all because there are better options available — namely other types of meat which don’t require as much energy or effort to consume
Insects
The wild cat’s diet is comprised of insects, though it also eats small birds and mammals. A cat in the wild may eat a variety of insects, such as caterpillars and grasshoppers, as well as spiders and ants. If the cat catches a large insect that is too large to eat all at once she will store it by hiding it in a hole or crevice until she has time to finish eating it later.
Cat owners who have cats that hunt bugs can give their pets live crickets at meal times instead of dry food or canned food so they can experience what their ancestors ate thousands of years ago.
Cats who live indoors do not need to hunt for food because their owners provide them with regular meals every day, but indoor cats should still have plenty of toys available so they can play while they’re waiting for their next snack time!
Reptiles
In the wild, cats can eat reptiles. Reptiles are a great source of protein and other nutrients, so they’re important to your cat’s diet. Lizards are one type of reptile that cats can eat, but so too are snakes and even some types of worms.
Small Mammals — Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.
In the wild, cats eat small mammals. These can include rabbits, squirrels and even rats. They also hunt mice and chipmunks. In fact, it is said that a single cat can catch up to 30 mice during its lifetime! Cats are known for their ability to stalk and kill these animals. While humans often assume that their pet cats are simply domesticated kittens from an early age, this is not the case at all! All of those adorable videos you see online of your cat stalking a mousie or chasing after a laser pointer were actually learned behaviors through years of practice in the wild for survival.
Cats eat what they can catch.
Cats are carnivores, which means that their bodies are designed to only digest and process meat. They eat what they can catch, whether it’s a small mouse or a grasshopper. They also eat what they can find—such as dead animals or another cat’s leftovers. And cats will kill prey that is much larger than themselves if they feel threatened in any way.
Cats will eat just about anything that moves or flies—lizards and birds being some of their favorites. But this doesn’t mean cats won’t turn down an easy meal when it comes through the door! You’ll notice your cat begging for food at every meal time; however, if you’re like most pet owners, you probably don’t want your feline friend begging for table scraps every time you sit down with your own meal—that could get messy (and expensive).
Whether a cat is in the wild or your own home, it’s important to make sure they have access to enough food. If you see your cat going hungry, speak with your vet about what they can do to help.