Some of the most common predators of cats include coyotes, bobcats, hawks, and owls.
There are a number of animals that will prey on cats, both domesticated and feral.
In some cases, domestic cats may also fall victim to larger animals such as raccoons, foxes, or even bears.
While cats may be able to defend themselves against some of these predators, they are not always successful. As a result, it is important for cat owners to take measures to protect their pets from these dangers. Coyotes and bobcats can be particularly dangerous, as they are known to hunt in packs. Hawks and owls are also capable of taking down larger prey, including cats.
Raccoons, foxes, and bears are typically not as interested in cats as other predators, but they can still be a threat if they happen to come across one. In addition to being preyed upon by other animals, cats can also succumb to disease or injury.
Examples of Animals that Eat Cats
1. Ants
| Scientific Name | Formicidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
There are a number of different species of ants that will prey on cats. One such species is the fire ant, which is found in many parts of the southern United States. Fire ants will swarm cats and sting them to death. Other types of ants that prey on cats include the harvester ant and the carpenter ant. While ants normally don’t attack cats they are scavengers so they will eat the carcass of a dead cat.
2. Boas
| Scientific Name | Boa constrictor |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | northern Mexico to Argentina |
There are a number of different species of a boa constrictor that will prey on cats. These snakes can grow up to 12 feet in length and can kill and eat a cat very easily. Boas typically ambush their prey by sneaking up on them before striking and killing them with their powerful jaws. They then coil around the cat’s body and squeeze the life out of it. Once the cat is dead, the boa will swallow it whole.
3. Bobcats
| Scientific Name | Lynx rufus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | from southern Canada, down through the USA to northern Mexico |
Bobcats are a common predator of cats and will prey on both domesticated and feral cats. These felines are very agile predators and can hunt and kill prey much larger than themselves. They typically ambush their prey by sneaking up on them before attacking with their sharp claws. Bobcats have also been known to kill cats by biting them in the neck.
4. Cooper’s Hawks
| Scientific Name | Accipiter cooperii |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern Canada all the way to northern Mexico |
Cooper’s hawks are a type of raptor that is found in many parts of the United States. These hawks typically prey on small mammals such as rodents, but they will also eat cats on occasion. Cooper’s hawks usually hunt by perching in a tree and watching for their prey to come by. When they spot a cat, they will swoop down on it and catch it in their talons. They will then carry the cat to a secluded spot and eat it.
Read Also: Is Hawaiian Hawk Native to Hawaii?
5. Cougar
| Scientific Name | Puma concolor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | from Canada south to Patagonia |
The cougar is a large predator that is found in North and South America. These big cats will prey on both domesticated and feral cats. They typically ambush their prey by sneaking up on them before attacking with their sharp claws and teeth. Once the cat is dead, the cougar will usually drag it into the underbrush to eat.
6. Coyotes
| Scientific Name | Canis latrans |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alaska southward into Central America, but especially on the Great Plains |
Coyotes are one of the most common predators of cats. They are found in most parts of the United States and Canada and can range in size from 25 to 45 pounds. Coyotes typically hunt at night and will stalk their prey before attacking. They have been known to kill cats by biting them in the neck or spine. Coyotes will also eat the carcass of a dead cat.
7. Domestic Dogs
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
While the vast majority of domestic dogs will not prey on cats, there are a number of cases where they have. Dogs may kill cats out of territorial aggression or simply because they are hungry. In some cases, feral dogs may form packs and hunt down cats as a food source. Dogs usually kill cats by biting them in the neck or throat, which can cause serious injury or even death.
8. Eagles
| Scientific Name | Accipitridae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | from the Mexico border through the United States and Canada |
There are a number of different types of eagles that will prey on cats. These birds of prey can be found all over the world and range in size from the smaller kestrels to the massive golden eagles. Eagles typically hunt by soaring high in the sky and then swooping down onto their prey. They have very powerful talons which they use to grip the cat and then they lift it into the air and take it to a secluded spot to eat.
9. Fishers
| Scientific Name | Pekania pennanti |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The fisher is a weasel-like mammal that is found in forests across North America. Fisher’s prey on a wide variety of animals, including cats. They typically hunt at night, stalking their prey before leaping on them and killing them with a bite to the neck. Fishers are also known to eat the carcasses of dead animals.
10. Fleas
| Scientific Name | Siphonaptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Fleas are very small parasites that can be found on a number of different animals, including cats. Fleas are not predators of cats, but they will feast on their blood. A single flea can consume up to 15 times its own body weight in blood. This means that a large population of fleas can quickly deplete the blood supply of a cat, leading to death.
11. Foxes
| Scientific Name | Canidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | UK and Europe east through Russia, Kazakstan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan |
Foxes are a common predator of cats, both domesticated and feral. They are very opportunistic predators and will take advantage of any opportunity to kill and eat a cat. Foxes typically hunt by stalking their prey before attacking it. They have sharp teeth and powerful jaws that allow them to kill and eat cats with ease. Foxes will also eat the carcasses of dead cats.
12. Great Horned Owls
| Scientific Name | Bubo virginianus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout the continental United States, as well as in Alaska |
Great horned owls are one of the most common predators of cats. They are found in all parts of the United States and Canada. These owls typically hunt at night, when they can see their prey more easily. They will fly down on a cat from above and snatch it up with their powerful talons. Great horned owls have been known to kill and eat cats that are much larger than they are.
13. Lynx
| Scientific Name | Lynx |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
There are a number of different species of lynx that will prey on cats. These wildcats live in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are very large animals that weigh up to 40 pounds. Lynx have very sharp claws and teeth which they use to kill their prey. They will typically stalk their prey before pouncing on it and delivering a killing bite. Once the cat is dead, the lynx will eat it whole.
14. Maggots
| Scientific Name | Lucilia sericata |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Maggots are the larvae of flies and they feed on dead animals. When a cat dies, maggots will quickly move in and start to eat it. Maggots can consume a cat’s flesh within a few hours, and will often leave nothing but the bones behind. While maggots typically only eat dead animals, they will also attack living ones if they are weak or injured. This makes them a danger to both domesticated and feral cats.
15. Possums
| Scientific Name | Didelphidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada |
Possums are omnivorous animals and will eat just about anything, including cats. They are typically nocturnal animals and will search for cats to eat at night. Possums have sharp teeth and strong jaws that allow them to crush the bones of their prey. They also have a very acidic digestive system that allows them to digest even the toughest of prey items.
16. Pythons
| Scientific Name | Python |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | Asia, Africa and Australia |
There are a number of different species of python that will prey on cats. These snakes can grow up to 20 feet in length and can kill and eat a cat very easily. Pythons typically ambush their prey by sneaking up on them before striking and killing them with their powerful jaws. They then coil around the cat’s body and squeeze the life out of it. Once the cat is dead, the python will swallow it whole.
17. Raccoons
| Scientific Name | Procyon lotor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
Raccoons are opportunistic predators and will eat just about anything they can find. This includes cats, which raccoons will sometimes hunt and kill. Raccoons are generally not aggressive towards cats, but they will attack them if they feel threatened or if there is an easy meal to be had. Raccoons typically eat the flesh of their prey, but will also consume the organs, bones, and fur.
18. Red-Tail Hawks
| Scientific Name | Buteo jamaicensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | all over the continent, in Central America, and in the West Indies |
Red-tailed hawks are one of the most common predators of cats in North America. These hawks feed on a variety of prey items, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They typically hunt by soaring overhead and scanning the ground for prey. Once they spot a cat, they will swoop down and attack it with their sharp talons.
19. Ticks
| Scientific Name | Ixodida |
| Type of Animal | Insects |
| Range | Worldwide |
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, including cats. They are found in many parts of the world and can carry a number of diseases, including Lyme disease. Ticks will often attach themselves to a cat’s fur and start feeding on their blood. They can do a lot of damage to a cat’s health and can even be fatal.
20. Wild Dogs
| Scientific Name | Lycaon pictus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa |
Wild dogs, such as coyotes, jackals, and wolves, will prey on cats both domesticated and feral. These animals hunt in packs and will work together to take down a cat. They typically kill the cat by biting it in the neck or spine. Once the cat is dead, the wild dogs will eat it voraciously.
21. Wolverines
| Scientific Name | Gulo gulo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada and Alaska |
The wolverine is a large, ferocious predator that is found in many parts of the world. This animal is the only member of the weasel family that is known to kill and eat cats. Wolverines are very aggressive and will attack cats for no reason whatsoever. They have sharp claws and teeth that can easily kill a cat, and they will often store the carcasses of their kills for later consumption.
22. Wolves
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alaska, Canada and Russia |
Wolves are the biggest predator of cats in the wild. They will hunt and kill cats of all sizes, from domesticated housecats to feral cats. Wolves typically stalk their prey before attacking, and they have been known to take down prey much larger than a cat. Once a wolf has killed a cat, it will eat it whole or rip it apart and eat it piece by piece.
23. Worms
| Scientific Name | Annelida |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
There are a number of different types of worms that will eat dead cats. Some of the most common species include earthworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Worms typically eat the flesh of dead animals, so they will often scavenge on the carcasses of dead cats. They will also feed on the intestines and other organs of live cats. Worms can cause a lot of damage to a cat’s health and can even lead to death.
Conclusion
There are a number of animals that will prey on cats, both in the wild and in urban areas. The most common predators of cats are eagles, ferrets, dogs, coyotes, hawks, and bears.
These animals typically kill cats by biting them in the neck or throat. Other predators, such as raccoons, weasels, and snakes, may consume cats whole or kill them through suffocation.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.