The idea that possums eat cats is largely a misconception. Possums, being opportunistic omnivores and scavengers, primarily feed on fruits, insects, and small animals like rodents.
- They do not actively hunt cats, and while they might scavenge the remains of a deceased cat, they do not pose a direct threat to living, healthy ones.
Possums are more likely to compete with cats for food than to attack them. This article explores possum behavior, their dietary preferences, and the nature of their interactions with domestic cats, offering reassurance to pet owners and tips to prevent unwanted encounters.
Possum Diet: What Do They Eat?
Possums are omnivores, which means they eat a variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet is highly opportunistic, often dictated by what is easily available in their environment. In the wild, possums typically consume:
- Fruits and berries
- Insects and small invertebrates
- Rodents and small birds
- Carrion (dead animals)
- Vegetables and grains
- Eggs but not chicken
- Small reptiles and amphibians
In urban areas, possums may forage through garbage cans and eat pet food that is left outside. They are scavengers by nature, which means they are more likely to feed on what they can find rather than actively hunt.
The key to understanding their dietary habits is that possums are not hunters in the traditional sense. Instead, they forage and will eat whatever is most accessible and easy to catch or find, including plant material, insects, and small animals.
Possums and Cats: Understanding the Interaction
The idea that possums eat cats is largely a myth. Cats are much larger than most of the typical prey items that possums eat. In fact, adult cats are far too big and capable of defending themselves, making them an unlikely target for a possum’s diet.
While possums may be opportunistic eaters, they do not have the predatory skills or desire to hunt down a living, healthy cat.
There are, however, a few scenarios where a possum and a cat might interact:
1. Competition for Food: If a possum and a cat are both foraging in the same area, such as near an outdoor food dish, they may compete for resources. Possums may try to eat leftover cat food, but this does not indicate predation. The possum is simply scavenging what it can find.
2. Scavenging Behavior: In very rare cases, a possum may be found eating a deceased cat. However, it is important to stress that this does not mean the possum killed the cat. As scavengers, possums will eat carrion, and if they come across a dead animal, including a cat, they may consume it.
-
- This can lead to the misconception that possums hunt cats, but they are merely feeding on an already deceased animal. Possums live an average of 1 to 2 years but can do up to 4 years, but don’t kill them – mainly when you see their destructive habits.
3. Defensive Reactions: If a cat and possum were to get into a confrontation, the possum’s instinct would not be to attack but to defend itself. Possums often employ a defense mechanism known as “playing possum,” where they feign death to avoid aggression from predators. In some cases, if a possum feels cornered, it may hiss, growl, or show its sharp teeth to scare off a potential threat, but it would not go on the offensive unless absolutely necessary.
Why Possums Aren’t a Threat to Cats
There are several reasons why possums don’t pose a significant threat to cats:
- Size and Strength: Adult cats are generally larger, faster, and stronger than possums. In a physical altercation, a healthy cat would likely come out on top, or at the very least, would be able to escape without serious injury.
- Behavioral Differences: Cats are predators by nature and tend to be territorial. On the other hand, possums are scavengers and generally prefer to avoid confrontation with larger animals. When faced with a cat, a possum is more likely to flee or try to scare the cat away rather than attack.
- Dietary Preferences: Possums have no real interest in hunting down and consuming large animals like cats. Their natural diet consists of smaller prey and scavenged food. While they may consume carrion if they find it, this is far different from actively seeking out and killing a cat for food.
Related: Do possums carry rabies.
What Should Pet Owners Do?
While possums don’t pose a direct threat to cats, pet owners may still want to take precautions to minimize interactions between the two animals. Here are a few tips:
- Keep Pet Food Indoors: Avoid leaving pet food outside, especially overnight, as it can attract possums and other wildlife.
- Secure Garbage Cans: Since possums are scavengers, they may try to get into unsecured garbage cans. Keeping lids tightly closed will discourage them from foraging in your yard.
- Supervise Pets Outdoors: While possums aren’t likely to harm your cat, it’s always a good idea to supervise your pets when they’re outdoors, especially at night when possums are most active.
- Eliminate Attractants: Possums are drawn to food sources, so removing things like fallen fruit, bird feeders, and compost piles can help prevent them from frequenting your property.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the notion that possums eat cats is largely unfounded. While possums are opportunistic feeders and scavengers, their natural diet does not include live, healthy cats.
- They are more likely to forage for fruits, insects, and small animals or scavenge for dead animals. Interactions between possums and cats are usually driven by competition for food rather than predation.
Pet owners can reduce the likelihood of encounters by taking simple precautions, but overall, possums are not a significant threat to household pets.