Hunting is an Instinctive Activity

Hunting is an instinctive activity, central to feline nature. Indeed, the cat is one of the most successful land-based predators in the world.

All cats hunt. Rural feral cats refine their techniques to suit the available prey, while urban feral cats scavenge more than they hunt. Pet cats hunt for the thrill of stalk-and-pounce, rather than to fill their stomachs, and indoor cats may hunt toys.

While most cats prey on land-based mammals, some become specialized at catching birds. This may have a profound effect on the population of small birds in regions where, historically, there has been an absence of land-based predators similar to the cat.