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Latrine locations are away from hunting and resting areas, but close enough to those places for the cat to be able to use them without a significant interruption of their other hunting and territory marking routines.  

Latrine locations are away from hunting and resting areas, but close enough to those places for the cat to be able to use them without a significant interruption of their other hunting and territory marking routines.  

Cats are obligate carnivores, and exhibit a preference for prey that is different from what they have eaten in the past. This is termed a “monotony effect” and is argued to be a way of ensuring and balanced diet (Bradshaw, 1992). Since cats cat hunt independently and catch only small prey that provide a single meal for an individual, they do not share food. Feeding is a solitary activity that carries no social meaning. Cats eat 10-20 small meals each day, according to the availability of prey.

Cats are obligate carnivores, and exhibit a preference for prey that is different from what they have eaten in the past. This is termed a “monotony effect” and is argued to be a way of ensuring and balanced diet <ref name="Bradshaw">Bradshaw, J.W.S (1992) The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat. CABI, Oxford, UK.</ref>. Since cats cat hunt independently and catch only small prey that provide a single meal for an individual, they do not share food. Feeding is a solitary activity that carries no social meaning. Cats eat 10-20 small meals each day, according to the availability of prey.

The core territory of domestic cats contains an incompatible arrangement of resources that would not be present in a wild situation. For example, in a study by the author, in 31% of households provided a food bowl near to the litter tray, and the same percentage located a water bowl near the litter tray. From the cat’s perspective, having a latrine location inside the core territory is undesirable. Twenty-seven percent of households placed the litter tray next to the cat door, which might seem an ethologically appropriate choice given that this is the closest possible indoor location to the garden. However, it also means that in multi-cat households, of homes with a plain cat door, the latrine lacks privacy.

The core territory of domestic cats contains an incompatible arrangement of resources that would not be present in a wild situation. For example, in a study by the author, in 31% of households provided a food bowl near to the litter tray, and the same percentage located a water bowl near the litter tray. From the cat’s perspective, having a latrine location inside the core territory is undesirable. Twenty-seven percent of households placed the litter tray next to the cat door, which might seem an ethologically appropriate choice given that this is the closest possible indoor location to the garden. However, it also means that in multi-cat households, of homes with a plain cat door, the latrine lacks privacy.

''Felis silvestris'' is a native species in most of Africa, Europe, central Asia, India, China and Mongolia. In these regions it forms a natural part of local ecology. Due to mutual tolerance between cats and humans, the density of cat populations can be much higher within and around human communities than in rural areas.

''Felis silvestris'' is a native species in most of Africa, Europe, central Asia, India, China and Mongolia. In these regions it forms a natural part of local ecology. Due to mutual tolerance between cats and humans, the density of cat populations can be much higher within and around human communities than in rural areas.

''Felis silvestris'' is not a native species in the Americas or Australia, so that the impact it might have on wildlife in those regions may be considered much more serious and intrusive to local ecology. In the USA, it is estimated that free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.4-3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion small mammals each year (Loss et al., 2013).  

''Felis silvestris'' is not a native species in the Americas or Australia, so that the impact it might have on wildlife in those regions may be considered much more serious and intrusive to local ecology. In the USA, it is estimated that free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.4-3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion small mammals each year <ref name ="Loss">Loss, S.R., Will, T., Marra, P.P. (2013) The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States. ''Nature Communications''. 4 (1396).</ref>.  

This raises the issue of the impact of pet vs. feral populations. No current estimate of the UK feral cat population could be found, but the total population was estimated at 6 million in 1980, 1.2 million of which were feral (Harris et al., 1995. Tabor, 1981). The current estimate of the UK pet cat population is 8 million, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. This situation can be contrasted with Australia and the USA:

This raises the issue of the impact of pet vs. feral populations. No current estimate of the UK feral cat population could be found, but the total population was estimated at 6 million in 1980, 1.2 million of which were feral <ref>Harris, S., Morris, P., Wray, S., Yalden, D. (1995) ''A Review of British Mammals: population estimates and conservation status of British mammals other than cetaceans'', Peterbourgh, U.K.: Joint Nature Conservation Committee.</ref><ref>Tabor, R. (1981) General biology of feral cats. In: The Ecology and Control of Feral Cats. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Potters Bar.</ref>. The current estimate of the UK pet cat population is 8 million, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. This situation can be contrasted with Australia and the USA:

• Australia: 3 million pet cats, 10-20 million feral cats (Jongman and Karland 1996, Dickman and Denny 2010)

• Australia: 3 million pet cats, 10-20 million feral cats <ref>Jongman, E. C., Karlen, G.A. (1996) Trap, neuter and release programs for cats: a literature review on an alternative control method of feral cats in urban areas. Pp. 81-84, In: S. Hassett (ed.), ''Urban Animal Management Conference''. Australian Veterinary Association, Ltd.</ref><ref>Dickman, C.,Denny, E. 2010. Strategies to reduce conflict: managing feral and stray cats. Pp. 41-45 In: M. Tensen and B. Jones (eds.), ''Proceedings of the RSPCA Scientific Seminar'', Deakin West ACT, RSPCA Australia.</ref>

• USA: 86.4 million pet cats, 60-100 million feral cats (APPA, 2011. Dauphine & Cooper, 2009)

• USA: 86.4 million pet cats, 60-100 million feral cats <ref>American Pet Products Association (2011) 2011-2012 ''APPA National Pet Owners Survey'', Greenwich, CT: American Pet Products Association.</ref><ref>Dauphine, N., Cooper, R.J. (2009) Impacts of free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) on birds in the United States: a review of recent research with conservation and management recommendations. Pp. 205-219, In: T. D. Rich, C. Arizmendi, D. W. Desmarest and C. Thompson (eds.). ''Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference: Tundra to Tropics''.</ref>

So, whilst in the UK, the feral cat population is perhaps 15% the size of the pet cat population, in the USA these populations are similarly sized and in Australia feral cats outnumber pet cats by a factor of 10-20 to one.

So, whilst in the UK, the feral cat population is perhaps 15% the size of the pet cat population, in the USA these populations are similarly sized and in Australia feral cats outnumber pet cats by a factor of 10-20 to one.

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programmes have been shown to be effective in a number of studies. Levy et al (2003) showed a 66% reduction in population size over an eleven-year period in one free-roaming population. In the UK, nationwide trap and neuter programmes of this type have been in operation for more than a decade. In the UK and Germany, levels of neutering are generally high, which helps to limit population growth (Heidenburger, 1997).

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programmes have been shown to be effective in a number of studies. <ref>Levy, J.K., Gale, D.W., Gale, L.A., (2003) Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population. ''JAVMA''. 222, 42-46.</ref> showed a 66% reduction in population size over an eleven-year period in one free-roaming population. In the UK, nationwide trap and neuter programmes of this type have been in operation for more than a decade. In the UK and Germany, levels of neutering are generally high, which helps to limit population growth<ref>Heidenberger, E. (1997) Housing conditions and behavioural problems of indoor cats as assessed by their owners.'' Applied Animal Behaviour Science''. 52, 345-364.</ref>.

However, the most significant factors in the maintenance of a large feral population are climate and the availability of prey. The temperate climate of Northern Europe limits kitten survival, compared to the warmer climate of Australia. Australia also has a diverse population of prey species that have evolved in the absence of an equivalent predator to ''Felis silvestris''.

However, the most significant factors in the maintenance of a large feral population are climate and the availability of prey. The temperate climate of Northern Europe limits kitten survival, compared to the warmer climate of Australia. Australia also has a diverse population of prey species that have evolved in the absence of an equivalent predator to ''Felis silvestris''.

In a study of domestic cat predation in the UK, the estimated mean predation rate was estimated at 18.3 per cat per year, with 65% of households reporting no prey brought back in a given year (falling to 22% when averaged over several seasons (Thomas et al., 2012). The same study found that only 20% of cats returned 4 or more dead prey annually. A retrospective study by the author found an average prey return rate of 3.3 birds and 12 rodents per cat per year for households where cats had outdoor access. 44.6% never returned a bird, and 39.6% never returned a rodent.  

In a study of domestic cat predation in the UK, the estimated mean predation rate was estimated at 18.3 per cat per year, with 65% of households reporting no prey brought back in a given year (falling to 22% when averaged over several seasons <ref name="Thomas">Thomas, R.L., Fellowes, M.D.E, Baker, P.J. (2012) Spatio-Temporal Variation in Predation by Urban Domestic Cats (''Felis catus'') and the Acceptability of Possible Management Actions in the UK. ''PLOS One''. 7(11), 1-13.</ref>. The same study found that only 20% of cats returned 4 or more dead prey annually. A retrospective study by the author found an average prey return rate of 3.3 birds and 12 rodents per cat per year for households where cats had outdoor access. 44.6% never returned a bird, and 39.6% never returned a rodent.  

The amount of birds observed in a garden correlated significantly with the amount of environmental enrichment provided in a garden (bird feeders, scattered food and nesting boxes), as well as the amount of natural features present (long grass, trees, wild flowers, bushes). Of particular note was a correlation between bird numbers and indicators of active gardening, such as the presence of a greenhouse, vegetable patch and compost heap. However, he number of birds caught did not correlate with scores for the amount of birds observed in the owner’s garden. This is supported by findings from Thomas ''et al'' (2012) that reported numbers of five bird species was not correlated with level of their predation. The predation of robins was just significantly correlated with observed numbers (p=0.046). This may relate to some aspect of the vulnerability of this species when feeding and nesting, but the result would also become insignificant when measures are applied to counteract the problem of multiple comparisons.

The amount of birds observed in a garden correlated significantly with the amount of environmental enrichment provided in a garden (bird feeders, scattered food and nesting boxes), as well as the amount of natural features present (long grass, trees, wild flowers, bushes). Of particular note was a correlation between bird numbers and indicators of active gardening, such as the presence of a greenhouse, vegetable patch and compost heap. However, he number of birds caught did not correlate with scores for the amount of birds observed in the owner’s garden. This is supported by findings from Thomas ''et al''<ref name ="Thomas" /> that reported numbers of five bird species was not correlated with level of their predation. The predation of robins was just significantly correlated with observed numbers (p=0.046). This may relate to some aspect of the vulnerability of this species when feeding and nesting, but the result would also become insignificant when measures are applied to counteract the problem of multiple comparisons.

The study by Thomas also showed a significantly negative correlation between mean annual predation rate, cat population and housing density; the number of prey returned was lower in high residential and cat population density.

The study by Thomas<ref name ="Thomas" /> also showed a significantly negative correlation between mean annual predation rate, cat population and housing density; the number of prey returned was lower in high residential and cat population density.

In ''the author’s study'', 62% of cat owners indicated an interest in encouraging more cats in the garden, with 48.1% of those giving a positive response also indicating that owning a cat prevented them from doing so. Those who reported that having a cat restricted their ability to attract birds to the garden provided similar numbers of bird tables and hanging feeders, but significantly fewer bird boxes and scatter feeding opportunities for ground feeding birds.

In ''the author’s study'', 62% of cat owners indicated an interest in encouraging more cats in the garden, with 48.1% of those giving a positive response also indicating that owning a cat prevented them from doing so. Those who reported that having a cat restricted their ability to attract birds to the garden provided similar numbers of bird tables and hanging feeders, but significantly fewer bird boxes and scatter feeding opportunities for ground feeding birds.

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour]]

[[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]]

[[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]]