Provision of high meat content food and object play reduce predation of wild animals by domestic cats Felis catus

Predation by domestic cats Felis catus can be a threat
to biodiversity conservation,​ but its mitigation is
controversial.​​ Confinement and collar-mounted devices can
impede cat hunting success and reduce numbers of animals
killed,​ but some owners do not wish to inhibit what they see as
natural behavior, perceive safety risks associated with collars, or are
concerned about device loss and ineffectiveness.​ In a controlled
and replicated trial, we tested novel, non-invasive interventions that aim
to make positive contributions to cat husbandry, alongside existing
devices that impede hunting. Households where a high -meat -protein,
grain-free food was provided, and households where
5–10 min of daily object play was introduced, recorded
decreases of 36% and 25%, respectively, in numbers of animals captured and
brought home by cats, relative to controls and the pre-treatment period.
Introduction of puzzle feeders increased numbers by 33%. Fitting
Birdsbesafe collar covers reduced the numbers of birds captured and
brought home by 42% but had no discernible effect on mammals. Cat bells
had no discernible effect. Reductions in predation can be made by
non-invasive, positive contributions to cat nutrition and behavior that
reduce their tendency to hunt rather than impede their hunting. These
measures are likely to find support among cat owners who are concerned
about the welfare implications of other interventions.