# Will domesticated cats take on and kill full grown squirrels? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2017, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378 "2017-02-21T06:31:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/1 "2017-02-21T06:31:44Z")
I’ve seen several instances of cats killing baby squirrels but never a full grown squirrel. Will a domesticated cat kill a full grown squirrel? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/2 "2017-02-21T07:05:03Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I’ve seen several instances of cats killing baby squirrels but never a full grown squirrel. Will a domesticated cat kill a full grown squirrel? Ferals certainly [can and do](http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/ba16d53e43c149ca9d1e3247b8ac55dc/cat-catches-squirrel-in-rhiwbina-cardiff-south-wales-f53nyk.jpg), as do their wild cousins. [Also rabbits](http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/amami_rabbit_1.jpg) - both squirrels and rabbits are at the upper end of their prey size range, but still within it. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/3 "2017-02-21T10:01:32Z")
Lots of squirrel species around, with pretty big differences in size etc. As far as European red squirrels go (adult weight 200 - 450 g), some of my very domesticated cats would kill and eat them regularly, leaving only the bushy tails on the lawn as a hint of what had happened. Adult individuals are readily ID’d from the tail alone. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/4 "2017-02-21T10:48:48Z")
> [@Toxylon](#): > > …some of my very domesticated cats would kill and eat them regularly, leaving only the bushy tails on the lawn as a hint of what had happened. 'round these parts the cats make a hat out of the tail and wear it proudly. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/5 "2017-02-21T11:09:06Z")
I suspect most domesticated cats will get outrun by a squirrel but my cat certainly gives it a go. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/6 "2017-02-21T12:54:32Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > 'round these parts the cats make a hat out of the tail and wear it proudly. > mmm _Dan Maine Coon was a cat… …Yes, a BIIIIIG cat! Whatta cat, near a cougar, Catnip dream comer-truer was heeee! Dan Maine Coon!_ ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/7 "2017-02-21T14:30:01Z")
My young cat has killed an adult squirrel and a small-ish possum. I got her from a rescue group when she was about three months old. She did this at about a year of age. I live in a 1930s, downtown neighborhood. My other two cats have no interest in hunting at all. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/8 "2017-02-21T14:58:08Z")
I had a cat bring a still-kicking adult rabbit into the house before (that was fun) so I’m sure a squirrel would have been cake provided he could get the jump on it. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/9 "2017-02-21T15:08:30Z")
[Underestimate not the squirrel.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--DK18_Epo--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/ibqdmaifkqjjhjl2kovj.png) Or rather, squirrel_s…_ ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/10 "2017-02-21T15:38:44Z")
Depends on the size of the cat and the type of squirrel. Average sized tabby and a larger adult Gray and the squirrel can usually fight enough to make an escape. But with a bigger cat, not too overweight and with good muscle tone, I would expect it to take out a few squirrels now and then. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/11 "2017-02-21T15:39:54Z")
My cats mostly take on twist ties and random bits of plastic wrappers… ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/12 "2017-02-21T20:48:51Z")
I’ve seen one try it, although in this instance the squirrel got away. Looked just like a lion stalking something in Africa. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/13 "2017-02-21T21:12:23Z")
My family once had a cat that killed (and presumably ate) a skunk, then hid the carcass in our garage where we discovered the pelt several months later when we went to store the storm windows and install screens. We were accustomed to his disappearing for days on end and we recalled that he returned from one such escapade with the strange smell. A skunk is considerably larger than a squirrel, but much less agile. But I assume that if a cat could catch one it could kill it and eat it. ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/14 "2017-02-21T21:47:16Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > _Dan Maine Coon was a cat… > …Yes, a BIIIIIG cat! > Whatta cat, near a cougar, > Catnip dream comer-truer was heeee! > Dan Maine Coon!_ Boo and hiss! ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/15 "2017-02-21T21:59:04Z")
Pretty sure my cats have killed their fair share of squirrels. Some years back Mystery brought us a flying squirrel, but I don’t know if she killed it herself or just found it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/16 "2017-02-21T22:07:06Z")
My cats have killed mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits, an armadillo, and a beaver of all things. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/17 "2017-02-21T22:17:25Z")
Cats typically kill animals by clamping the back of the neck in their jaws to cause asphyxiation. If the cat can get the jump on the animal, and they do tend to be stalkers, once they get onto the neck, the prey will have little chance. As long as the neck can fit in its mouth, the cat can probably kill it. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/18 "2017-02-21T22:31:01Z")
> [@Trancephalic](#): > > Boo and hiss! Well, the hiss I understand, but boo? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/19 "2017-02-21T22:31:47Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Well, the hiss I understand, but boo? 😕 ghost cat ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378/20 "2017-02-21T22:33:19Z")
I had a cat who twice killed an adult gray squirrel. He was extremely proud of his accomplishment. Mostly he killed chipmunks. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-domesticated-cats-take-on-and-kill-full-grown-squirrels/780378.md?page=2)