What has your cat dragged in lately?

YOUR urban moggie is every bit an accomplished killer as his rural cousin, according to a University College Cork zoology student.

Anthony Dunne has been carrying out a nationwide survey with the help of cat owners and hopes to conclude it by the end of January.

He has asked people to report which dead mammals or birds their cats drag in, and in some cases the deceased specimens have been sent to him.

Apparently cats do not get enough protein from tinned food and being natural-born predators even couch-potato felines will feast as nature intended.

“Conventional cat food contains only 7% protein whereas a cat can take up to 63% a day. That can be why they hunt,” Mr Dunne said.

He said a survey carried out in urban Dublin showed in 2001 that 27% of pet cats killed birds on a regular basis. However, he believes the rate may be far higher.

“Bank voles are being killed on a regular basis by cats. I’ve also been getting in quite a number of (dead) song thrushes and green finches,” Mr Dunne said.

Rabbits and mice are also particular targets and in some areas the house sparrow is in decline - and the cat gets the blame.

“It’s fairly balanced (killing) between urban and rural cats.”

Cats can have a particularly devastating effect on bird populations.

“One of the most famous cases of that came with the introduction of cats to Australia. On Steven’s Island, off the coast of Australia, just one cat drove a species of wren into extinction. Cats are simply quite good at killing. It’s a fallacy to think they are happy with tinned food,” Mr Dunne said.

Mr Dunne is looking for more cat-owning volunteers to help him complete his study. Anybody interested in taking part can contact him at the Department of Zoology, UCC at [phone].