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Survey of predation by domestic cats
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Survey of predation by domestic cats

I.D. Robertson
Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol.76(8), pp.551-554
1998
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To calculate the proportion of house cats which were observed by their owners to have caught prey and to describe the characteristics of these cats. DESIGN AND PROCEDURE: A telephone questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected population of 458 cat owners in metropolitan Perth. Specific questions were asked about demographic characteristics, habits and diets of the cats, and whether the owners had observed their cats catch prey in the 12 month period preceding the survey. RESULTS: The owners of 36% of 644 cats had observed their cats with prey in the 12 month period preceding the survey. Cats which spent more time outside, were neutered, cross-bred, originated from households with only one or two cats or were not fed meat were significantly more likely to be observed to predate. The body condition and diet (other than feeding meat) of cats did not influence the reported frequency of predation. CONCLUSION: Although cats are only one factor involved in the reduction in the numbers and diversity of Australian wildlife, restriction of the outside activities of cats is likely to diminish predation, particularly in areas close to native vegetation.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#14 Life Below Water
#15 Life on Land

Source: InCites

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InCites Highlights

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
3.35.274 Wildlife Ecology
Web Of Science research areas
Veterinary Sciences
ESI research areas
Plant & Animal Science
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