Yes, cats can and do eat squirrels, although it's not very common. Cats may chase and hunt squirrels since squirrels are natural prey animals, but squirrels are more difficult to catch because they are intelligent and acrobatic. When cats do catch squirrels, they may eat the meat, bones, and organs, but often pet cats kill them and leave the remains rather than eat all of it. However, there are several risks to cats eating squirrels:
- Squirrels can defend themselves with sharp claws and teeth, which can injure a cat.
- Squirrels may carry diseases such as rabies, Lyme disease, tularemia, and salmonella, which can infect cats.
- Squirrels can host parasites that cats can contract, including tapeworms and toxoplasmosis.
- Eating squirrel bones can pose a choking or intestinal obstruction hazard for cats.
Because of these risks, allowing cats to hunt and eat squirrels is generally discouraged, especially for domesticated cats that have regular access to commercial cat food which meets their nutritional needs. Keeping cats indoors and providing proper nutrition and play can help reduce their hunting behavior and exposure to squirrels. In summary, while cats do eat squirrels occasionally, it is not an ideal or safe food source for them due to the physical dangers and health risks involved.
