When people picture predators, they often think of a tiger, a white shark, or an eagle. Yet the real top predator might be closer than expected: the house cat.
Recent research reveals that cats living in the wild, including both domestic and feral populations, display the broadest diet of any predator on the planet. The data show that cats have catalogued consumption of at least 2,084 different animal species, underscoring their remarkable dietary diversity.
Approximately 9% of a cat’s diet consists of birds, about 6% comprises other mammals, and roughly 4% includes reptiles, with some insects and amphibians also appearing in their bill of fare.
New findings illuminate the feeding habits of one of the world’s most successful and widespread invasive predators. The study is described as the most comprehensive global synthesis of cat diet to date, and arguably the largest assessment for the species worldwide.
Cats are indiscriminate predators and will eat any animal they can catch.
According to the researchers, cats show little selectivity, pursuing prey across a broad spectrum of sizes. The study notes that items caught range from typical small fauna to scavenged materials found in human environments, indicating opportunistic feeding patterns.
To derive these conclusions, an international team reviewed more than 500 prior studies detailing cat diets. The breadth of sources underscores how varied a cat’s prey can be in different regions and habitats.
The prey list extends far beyond what many would expect. Cats have been documented chasing emus, sea turtles, and even domestic cattle in carrion form. There are reports of a single cat reportedly consuming a kangaroo whole, illustrating the extraordinary possibilities observed in the wild and around human settlements.
16 percent of the animals they eat are in danger
The results also raise concerns for biodiversity. Researchers note that about 347 of the species included in the cat diet, or roughly 16.6 percent of observed species, are currently in unfavorable conservation status. This highlights the potential risk cats pose to vulnerable wildlife in various ecosystems.
Islands present a particularly acute challenge. Studies from New Zealand in the 1970s suggested that feral and domestic cats contributed to the extinction of at least six species and more than 70 subspecies of endemic birds, offering a stark example of how predation can push fragile island communities toward collapse.
The authors emphasize that the proportion of protected species in cat diets—about 16.65 percent—is troubling, since these cats are linked to significant losses in global avifauna, mammals, and reptiles. They are considered a major threat to many species that are already at risk.
Beyond the diversity of prey, the sheer volume of animals killed by cats is notable. A separate study published in 2022 estimated that domestic cats kill between 160 and 270 million animals annually in the United Kingdom alone. In Australia, cats are responsible for the deaths of nearly 650 million reptiles each year. These figures underscore the broad impact cats can have on wildlife populations across regions.
Given these outcomes, some areas have adopted policies aimed at protecting native wildlife. For example, an Australian suburb implemented a 24-hour cat curfew to encourage indoor confinement of pets, reflecting local efforts to mitigate predation pressures on vulnerable species.
Reference: a comprehensive analysis of cat diets appears in a recent global synthesis (Nature Communications, 2023). The study is cited for its extensive evaluation of predation patterns and biodiversity implications.
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