International Owl Center
  • Home
  • Programs and Events
    • Virtual Owl Expert Speaker Series
    • Virtual Programs
    • Owl Prowls
    • Special programs
    • Festival of Owls
    • Breakfast with the Owls
    • School and Group Programs
    • International Owl Awareness Day
  • Future Plans
    • Design Concept Contest
  • Our Research
    • Research Basics
    • Live Cam
    • Hear Individual Owls
    • Types of Great Horned Owl Vocalizations
    • Great Horned Owl Growth Chart
    • Background Info >
      • History of Rusty and Iris
      • What will happen to Rusty and Iris's young?
      • Owl Glossary
      • Great Horned Owl Facts
    • Blog
  • DIY Activities
    • What kind of owl are you?
    • Crafts
    • Dissecting Owl Pellets
    • Build an Owl Nest Box
    • Coloring Pages
    • Puzzles
  • I found an injured owl!
    • What do I do?
    • Find a Rehabber
  • Owls and You
    • Live an Owl-Friendly Life
    • Respectful Owl Photography and Observation
    • Owls as Pets
    • Owls Eating Pets
    • Owl Myths and FAQ
  • Visit Us / About Us
    • Visit
    • Our Owls
    • Staff and Board
    • History
  • Support Us
    • Memberships
    • Donate
    • Founder's Circle
    • Other Ways to Help
  • Educator Resources
    • Education Methods
    • Assessing Impact
    • Regulations
    • Workshop Summary
    • Resources
    • Links
  • Owl Conferences
    • Future Conferences
    • Past Conferences
    • Conference Planning
    • E-Newsletter
  • Store
    • New Arrivals
    • Apparel >
      • Hats
      • Shirts
      • Socks
    • Crafts & Stationery
    • Books & Education >
      • Species Guides
      • Kids' Books
    • Food & Edibles
    • Housewares & Decor >
      • Cups & Mugs
      • Decorations
      • Kitchenware
    • Jewelry & Accessories >
      • Bracelets & Watches
      • Earrings
      • Necklaces & Pendants
      • Pins
      • Bags & Purses
      • Rings
    • Miscellaneous
    • Memberships
    • Toys >
      • Plush Toys
      • Puppets
      • Puzzles
    • Donations
    • Gift Cards
  • Home
  • Programs and Events
    • Virtual Owl Expert Speaker Series
    • Virtual Programs
    • Owl Prowls
    • Special programs
    • Festival of Owls
    • Breakfast with the Owls
    • School and Group Programs
    • International Owl Awareness Day
  • Future Plans
    • Design Concept Contest
  • Our Research
    • Research Basics
    • Live Cam
    • Hear Individual Owls
    • Types of Great Horned Owl Vocalizations
    • Great Horned Owl Growth Chart
    • Background Info >
      • History of Rusty and Iris
      • What will happen to Rusty and Iris's young?
      • Owl Glossary
      • Great Horned Owl Facts
    • Blog
  • DIY Activities
    • What kind of owl are you?
    • Crafts
    • Dissecting Owl Pellets
    • Build an Owl Nest Box
    • Coloring Pages
    • Puzzles
  • I found an injured owl!
    • What do I do?
    • Find a Rehabber
  • Owls and You
    • Live an Owl-Friendly Life
    • Respectful Owl Photography and Observation
    • Owls as Pets
    • Owls Eating Pets
    • Owl Myths and FAQ
  • Visit Us / About Us
    • Visit
    • Our Owls
    • Staff and Board
    • History
  • Support Us
    • Memberships
    • Donate
    • Founder's Circle
    • Other Ways to Help
  • Educator Resources
    • Education Methods
    • Assessing Impact
    • Regulations
    • Workshop Summary
    • Resources
    • Links
  • Owl Conferences
    • Future Conferences
    • Past Conferences
    • Conference Planning
    • E-Newsletter
  • Store
    • New Arrivals
    • Apparel >
      • Hats
      • Shirts
      • Socks
    • Crafts & Stationery
    • Books & Education >
      • Species Guides
      • Kids' Books
    • Food & Edibles
    • Housewares & Decor >
      • Cups & Mugs
      • Decorations
      • Kitchenware
    • Jewelry & Accessories >
      • Bracelets & Watches
      • Earrings
      • Necklaces & Pendants
      • Pins
      • Bags & Purses
      • Rings
    • Miscellaneous
    • Memberships
    • Toys >
      • Plush Toys
      • Puppets
      • Puzzles
    • Donations
    • Gift Cards
International Owl Center

Owls Eating Pets

Photo of a black and white cat sitting inside a blue tent
Do owls eat cats and small dogs?
The answer is yes, sometimes Great Horned Owls do catch cats and very small dogs, but not on a regular basis or on a preferential basis.

What does this mean for pet owners?
It means you shouldn't leave small dogs outside unattended and that cats are better off indoors. Pets are not exempt from the food chain and owls are not the only animals that will eat small pets if given the chance. On the flip side, most cats and some dogs also kill wild animals (small mammals like mice and shrews, reptiles like lizards and snakes, birds including small owls, etc.). So it's better for all involved to keep cats inside and dogs on leashes and attended at all times. The American Bird Conservancy has more specific information about keeping cats indoors.


Shopping cart  -  ​Blog  - ​ Links  - ​ Privacy policy
International Owl Center
126 E Cedar St.
Houston, MN 55943

(507) 896-OWLS (6957)
Karla@InternationalOwlCenter.org
​
501(c)3 organization
​EIN #45-5503365
Picture
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Picture
  • TripAdvisor