Getting to Know a Cat’s Killer Instincts

They may be cute and cuddly, just friendly, docile and super tame, but beyond the beautiful façade
and grace lay a cunning and well-trained killing creature. Common house cats, simply called, domestic
cats may be trained and even play fetch but you are actually closer to a natural born killer than you can
imagine. This does not negate the fact that there are pretty good cats who can remain loyal pets to their
masters even completing their homes but could this cuddly species be a threat to your home?

To some people who have in some point in their lives owned a cat, they just know how cats get
unpredictable and mysterious. These cats can easily pounce on smaller preys like squirrels, chickens
and doves, their eyes always mindful and alert, keeping watch for any movements. Although they can
co-exist with some other domestic pets in the house, most often than not, they could not stand the
presence of hamsters, guinea pigs and mice. Even if a kitten grows up together with a hamster or a
gerbil, both animals should not be left unattended. Over stimulation of play coul lead the cat to attack
even its friend.

They are born this way. Something like, a Lady Gaga kind-of-thing. You can’t deny the fact. From the
smallest domestic and huggable kitty cat to the biggest "king of the jungle," felines are gifted in all their
bodily tools and techniques needed to chase prey in the wild or domestically speaking, bite and destroy
some things in the living room. These felines are gifted with speed, athleticism and the killer instincts.

Compared to dogs who are born and raised to do different tasks like herding cattle or guarding a home,
cats are born and raised to hunt, chase and kill. If you can even design something like a killing machine,
you would probably consider the cat’s agility and killer instincts. Their speed cannot be under rated.
They have the gold medals in a high-speed pursuit. Because of their survival in the wild, they have
adapted the natural abilities to stalk and do surprise attacks, something that most dogs were not raised
to do.

Many cat owners have understood the predatory nature of their domestic pets, accepted and in turn
showered these domestic pets with love, attention and care. However, it does not change the fact of
their real make-up.

An article from redOrbit showed a University of Georgia research that tested 60 or more cats. They were
allowed to roam around outdoors with the exposure of common prey.

“The results were certainly surprising, if not startling,” said Kerrie Anne Loyd, University of Georgia
student and lead author of the KittyCam study, speaking to the Detroit Free Press. In Athens-Clarke
County, (Ga.) we found that about 30% of the sampled cats were successful in capturing and killing prey,
and that those cats averaged about one kill for every 17 hours outdoors or 2.1 kills per week. It was also
surprising to learn that cats only brought 23% of their kills back to a residence. We found that house cats
will kill a wide variety of animals, including: lizards, voles, chipmunks, birds, frogs, and small snakes.”

Cat's Killer Instincts Video