Do Dogs Outweigh Cats In Wildlife Predation?

When it comes to the impact on wildlife, it’s not just cats that play a significant role; our faithful companions, dogs, also contribute to this issue. In the United States, cats are responsible for the deaths of up to 3.7 billion birds and as many as 20 billion small mammals each year. However, it’s important to note that dogs also have a substantial impact, although specific statistics for their wildlife-related harm may vary. This issue highlights the importance of understanding the ecological impact of both cats and dogs on wildlife populations.

A groundbreaking study conducted on 2,000 ancient fossils has shed light on the historical survival abilities of felids, the cat family, compared to canids, the dog clan. The findings from this study, which was published on August 14, 2015, demonstrate that felids have consistently shown a higher likelihood of survival in the wild, often at the expense of canids. This research provides valuable insights into the relative adaptability and resilience of these two animal families when facing the challenges of their natural environments.