Anybody with a feline will be aware of how much cats love to hunt. Astonishing. The Hoot Owl and the Great Horned Owl are known to attack domestic cats but cat is not part of their normal diet. Since most owls are nocturnal, owl attacks are perhaps not as common as attacks by other birds that are diurnal. Cats are born predators. If you live in the west or the southwest of America, you and your cat need to be on the lookout for cougars–often also referred to as mountain lions. This happened in Minnesota, USA. There is always the risk of something bigger coming along and injuring or killing your pet. Beware the eagle-owl! We have them here, and they kill barred owls and skunks. If a nesting area is threatened, these birds will even attack large dogs and other predators, including humans. The great horned owl is fearless and aggressive, and will frequently attack prey larger and heavier than itself, including cats, skunks, and porcupines. Their prey includes domestic cats. Generally speaking, cats and kittens that weigh 5 pounds and under are at some risk of owl attack. The Striped Owl or Hoot Owl has been photographed carrying off a full-sized domestic cat in its talons. If you cat was indeed 13lbs it is extremely unlikely that a 3lb Great Horned Owl could have made off with it without you noticing, or made off with it at all. With all due respect to those of you who have posted guesses and second-hand tales, or described things other than owls, I have to comment. In a surprise attack this brazen barred owl is pictured grabbing the hapless domestic cat after swooping out of the darkness in the wilds of Minnesota. These owls are large but considerably lighter than an adult cat. But do hawks eat cats and dogs? Animals that may actively hunt and attack your cat include birds of prey, coyotes, and cougars. They also appear in rural Florida. Giant bird capable of eating cats and dogs escapes from aviary sparking warning. For example, a 10-pound pet poodle was attacked by owls in 2005. Unfortunately, although they are born hunters, cats are not apex predators. This species is found all over the Americas, so if you let your cat roam at night, it might wind up in their talons. But, while an owl may not be able to carry a larger animal, it can still attack one. Great horned owls hunt at dusk and by night. Since most owls are nocturnal, owl attacks are perhaps not as common as attacks by other birds that are diurnal. When asked "what do hawks eat?" Normally, a cougar will target livestock for a snack, but if a domestic cat comes … Surprisingly the answer is Yes. Do Owls Eat Worms. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Birds generally attack when they are nesting and perceive an intruder as a threat. They do take quite a few cats. Cats are a lot more vulnerable to predation than we assume. Some raptors, like the widespread great horned owl, are extremely powerful and true threats to cats and small dogs. many birders will respond with rodents, insects, fish, or even carrion.While these are often preferred prey, they aren't the only potential meals for these birds. Do owls eat cats and small dogs? Other powerful raptors, like certain eagles, have been known to attack and kill larger mammals, like calves, by lodging onto their preys' shoulders and using their bills to tear the animals' flesh and throat.