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Are large raptors a threat to my cats?

11 years ago

We got a pair of them, and have identified about 80% certain as golden eagles by size and coloration. We have 4 cats, I dont worry about 3 of them, but the 4th is rather small and getting a little old. He is still plenty fast and active, but I worry about him. Do we need to worry about him? If so is there anything we can do to scare off the birds? I dont want to hurt them and wish we could let them stay cause they are really cool, but I worry about the cats. They get really miserable if we try to keep them cooped up inside the house.

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Comments (5)

lazy_gardens
11 years ago
In North America and most of Europe, the predominant prey are leporids (hares and rabbits) and sciurids (ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and marmots). But any small mammal will do - they are opportunists.

It is illegal to harass or harm raptors. Federal and state laws prohibit it, so scaring them away is not an option.

Can you build the cats a run so they can go outside without becoming prey?
eric580
11 years ago
I don't hawks will bother the cat. I've heard that owls will get them so keep your cat safe at night.
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When I end up moving out there I will have a cat in tow. I'm not overly fond of it, but would hate to see it meet with that kind of end. So I was curious and found this on a raptor site. Based on this I'd say a 15 pound kitty is pretty safe. Here's what they say: Will a raptor attack my dog or cat? Raptors are wild animals and need to hunt their own food in order to survive. Even though they are predators, typically they will not hunt something that is larger than they are. They target what is most abundant and easiest to catch. Most raptors can carry only two thirds of their body weight. The average red-tailed hawk or great horned owl only weighs 2-3 pounds. However, there are isolated instances when a raptor cannot find enough food within its territory or is a young inexperienced hunter. In these cases, it would not be unheard of for a larger raptor like a red-tailed hawk or great horned owl to turn to small, domestic animals if the opportunity arises. However, cats and dogs will bite and claw to defend themselves, and are therefore more difficult to safely catch. Most raptors after the first attempt will leave them alone, making attacks uncommon.
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carol222
11 years ago
I had blue jays kill a cat of mine. Now I keep my cats inside - that way, they don't kill the small birds and the large birds (or foxes, coons, coyotes) don't kill them. It's a trade-off. I do have a feeder a few feet from the window so the cats can dream. They love watching. I get all kinds of birds (large avian predators included), rats, squirrels, coons and more. I let nature do what it wants outside. We keep safe inside.
carol222
11 years ago
I had blue jays kill a cat of mine. Now I keep my cats inside - that way, they don't kill the small birds and the large birds (or foxes, coons, coyotes) don't kill them. It's a trade-off. I do have a feeder a few feet from the window so the cats can dream. They love watching. I get all kinds of birds (large avian predators included), rats, squirrels, coons and more. I let nature do what it wants outside. We keep safe inside.
lassieloviestoto
11 years ago
My Harris Hawk ate cats and jackrabbits. We couldn't let him fly in our hood because he would pick off the cats. He hated the neighbors Golden Retriever and would wait until the dog was asleep in the yard, glide down, and stick him in the butt with his extended talons. After 2/3 times, the dog wouldn't come out of his house. Yes, big hawks and eagles eat cats. All of the time. Yummmie.

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