Secret Life of Cats

[veggiechicken]

On BBC2 Horizon at 9. Even if you don't watch the programme you can find out more about what cats do at night here BBC News - Secret life of the cat: What do our feline companions get up to?
Looks intriguing!!

[bramble]

Watched this program and thought it was a brilliant insight into what motivates cats.
We have 2 male cats that are brothers. They do everything together and only rarely have a fight.
It was very informative.

[Indigo23]

We watched and found it fascinating.

[veggiechicken]

I watched most of it too - just a break while I let the dog out - let the dog back in again
When we had cats, I was always curious to know where they went on their walks. I'd have loved to have had one of those cameras

[Glutton4...]

We watched it, too. I wanted the big fwuffy tabby cat that had moved house when its owners got a dog - he was gawjus! It was fascinating, I was surprised at how little most of them ventured. Having grown up in the countryside, I often met our cats down the lane, or across the fields.

One morning the old Fella who lived down the lane, looked over the hedge and said, "Oh what's my Cat doing in your garden?" which was when we discovered he had a double life. We had bought the cat from a friend as a small kitten, but he obviously liked keeping the old chap company, too, and got fed in both homes. Bless!

[Two_Sheds]

I've taped it: I'm interested in seeing how many birds really are killed by domestic cats (I suspect it's in the millions, despite owners saying "my old puss wouldn't hurt a thing")

[Glutton4...]

You'll be pleasantly surprised, TS! I was!

It would appear that man is gradually removing their need to hunt, by feeding them. Interesting, also, that the one that roamed the most was brought up on a farm.

[Two_Sheds]

Well the ones coming to my garden aren't that evolved then. They're all stalking the just-fledged blackbirds that are sheltering in the camellia 2ft from my front door, and loads of sparrows in the holly bush, and the guinea pigs in my back garden (which is enclosed by 6ft fences, which they climb). I also have a dog.

The cats keep coming.

I don't mind how many cats people keep (my friend has six), but I wish they'd be kept indoors at night. That would reduce the bird kill rate, and also cat-deaths-by-car

[WendyC]

I've taped it: I'm interested in seeing how many birds really are killed by domestic cats (I suspect it's in the millions, despite owners saying "my old puss wouldn't hurt a thing")

The average over the 50 cats, over the week, was under a half a bird/mammal. Looks like it was filmed March or April.
Our two kittens are out and about for the first time this week and it's been interesting to see how differently thy behave. Evie, female, seems to wander further and not be around so much. Brother Percy doesn't venture far but likes to bring me trophies such a petals and leaves. We think he might be the one to bring in animals. However he is a wimp and came in when two pigeons arrived in the garden!

[hamesy]

I caught bits of it. The bits I caught were interesting, always wanted to put a camera on my dog to see what he gets up to during the day.

[Indigo23]

Some weeks our 2 cats, who are 4 year old female litter mates, would manage to meet that village's total kills.

I don't mind how many cats people keep (my friend has six), but I wish they'd be kept indoors at night. That would reduce the bird kill rate, and also cat-deaths-by-car

Would it surprise you, Two Sheds, if I told you that the majority of their kills happen during the hours of daylight, usually while we're out at work?

Our cat flap is set permanently to out only, as one of their favourite pastimes was to bring us live rodents and then let them go in the living room, as well as bringing in live birds and chasing them up and down the hall with feathers flying anywhere. So now they can go out (to pee or whatever) when they want to but have to ask to be let back in.

I've had cats most of my life and I have to say that these are the most prolific hunters that I've ever had. I think our rural location has a significant bearing on that. I would love to be able to track and film where they go when they're out.

[chris]

I didn't watch it, but watched a clip yesterday on the bbc news site whilst eating my lunch, of a cat spewing. :/

They've changed the title of it now... but click on orlando to watch (if you want to! ) BBC News - Secret life of the cat: What do our feline companions get up to?
Yesterday it said he experienced something nasty (so I thought a hose pipe or near miss with a car or something). Yak.

[Indigo23]

Yuck!

[Veggielot]

I watched it and found it really interesting, particularly the time sharing of territory. There was still clearly an elements of hunting displayed by some of the cats however some are clearly finding it easier to help themselves to food at other houses then hunt. I have two cats one of which is very keen on mice and probably others things as well, the other is a house cat and probably never been more than 10ft from the back door in all the time we have had her and almost certainly never caught anything.

I would have liked to see more of what the cats got upto though. Someone told me there is more on tonight so will have to look when I get home.

[alldigging]

Our hunter cat died two years ago - kitty is good at catching flies in the window but that's really it.