Will Cats Attack Ducks?

Cats and ducks both make great pets, but what about when they share the same environment?

Will Cats Attack Ducks?

Cats are predators. Their hunting instinct is innate. You may have seen your own cat stalking and hunting garden birds and rodents. Indoor cats are just as dangerous, proving their hunting prowess by chasing toys and then ‘killing them’.

But what ducks? They’re not so different to many of the birds in our gardens.

It’s easy to assume that a duck would be equally vulnerable to a cat as a robin or sparrow might be. But while cats are excellent hunters, they also have a keen survival instinct. Domestic cats often won’t attack something that’s bigger than they are, and they won’t attack something that they think could beat them, either.

At least, in general, anyway.

Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut, one-size-fits-all answer here. Some cats will attack ducks. Other cats won’t. Pet cats are less likely to do it (especially if there’s more than one duck), but a feral or stray cat may be so desperate for food that it overrides any cautionary instincts.

Some pet cats have personalities that make them more likely to attack other animals. You may already have noticed this in your own cats.

Ducklings are the most at risk from cats because they’re smaller and slower. Similarly to how cats will attack baby chickens but ignore full-grown ones. Smaller duck breeds may always need protection from cats, regardless of age or number.

So, the short answer is that yes, cats can and do attack ducks. The smaller the duck, the more tempting it will be for some cats to attack. Pet cats are generally less bothered by ducks than feral and strays, but it’s always wise to be cautious. Ducks are also vulnerable to other neighbourhood predators, including foxes or stray dogs.

You can look at social media and see lots of videos of cats and ducks hanging out as best friends. It does happen, but this is best left to an owner’s discretion. Other owners will report that cats are indifferent to them. Small cats may even be scared of some larger duck breeds. As with human behaviour, so much depends on a cat’s personality, and the individual situation, and disposition.

How to Protect Ducks from Cats

Buying larger duck breeds will help. Cats will think twice about attacking something that rivals or exceeds them in size, and make sure you keep ducklings away in a run and supervise them when they’re outside. Some duck owners living in urban areas do this even when the ducks are fully grown. Attaching a bell to the cat’s collar (if it’s your cat) gives birds and ducks some warning that there’s a predator nearby. Cats won’t generally go into the water, so if there’s a place for the ducks to swim, that can give them a place to retreat to. It’s also important to remember that cats aren’t the only predators. Other animals will attack ducks, too. This could be minks, weasels, foxes, opossums, bobcats, and even dogs.

Danger can also come from the air, with birds of prey such as hawks and owls. Make sure that you’re not so fixated on blaming the local cat that you forget about other predators. Keep your ducks secure at night and in the evening, ensuring nothing can squeeze in, under, or through gaps, and regularly check for any holes.