Wildlife encounters are common in suburban and rural environments, raising concerns about the safety of domestic pets. The animal most commonly encountered in North America is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), the continent’s only marsupial. This shy, nocturnal creature sometimes crosses paths with domestic cats, leading to the question of whether a cat might prey on or consume it. Understanding the dynamics of this interaction, including the likelihood of an attack and potential health risks, is important for pet owners.
The Hunting Dynamic: Do Cats Attack Opossums?
Domestic cats are opportunistic predators driven by a strong hunting instinct. However, their choice of prey is dictated by size and the ease of the kill, making adult opossums unlikely targets. A typical adult North American opossum is roughly the size of a large house cat, often weighing between 4 and 15 pounds, which deters most feline hunters.
While a full-grown opossum is too large for a cat to view as viable prey, the risk changes with smaller animals. Cats are much more likely to attack juvenile opossums, which are less capable of defending themselves. Instances of cats killing opossums usually involve these younger individuals or opossums that are already injured or sick.
Consumption vs. Killing: Why Cats Rarely Eat Opossums
Even when a cat successfully kills a small opossum, the animal is rarely consumed due to several deterrent factors. Opossums possess a unique defense mechanism known as thanatosis, or playing dead, which involves an involuntary comatose-like state. When triggered by fear, the opossum lies motionless with its mouth open, tongue protruding, and breathing slowed.
This defense is accompanied by the release of a foul-smelling, musky fluid that mimics the scent of decomposition. Predators, including cats, are discouraged from consuming prey that appears dead or smells unappetizing, as they prefer the freshness of a recent kill. Additionally, the sheer size of even a juvenile opossum can make it too cumbersome for a cat to consume entirely, leading the cat to abandon the body.
Health and Safety Risks for the Cat
Any physical interaction between a cat and an opossum carries health and safety risks, even without consumption. The primary concern is physical injury, as a cornered opossum will defend itself fiercely using its sharp teeth and claws. Opossums have 50 teeth, and a defensive bite can result in deep puncture wounds and abscesses in a cat that can quickly become infected.
Beyond physical trauma, opossums carry parasites and pathogens that can be transmitted to pets. External parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites easily transfer to a cat during an encounter. Opossums can also be carriers of internal parasites and diseases such as coccidiosis, leptospirosis, and toxoplasmosis, which are shed in their feces or urine.
Preventing Interactions and Protecting Pets
The most effective way to protect a cat from the hazards of an opossum encounter is to prevent the interaction entirely. Because opossums are nocturnal, keeping domestic cats indoors, especially after dusk and before dawn, significantly reduces the likelihood of a confrontation. This measure also protects cats from other nighttime dangers, such as coyotes and traffic.
Pet owners should also eliminate attractants that draw opossums to residential areas. Opossums are scavengers that readily consume pet food left outside, unsecured garbage, and fallen fruit. Securing all outdoor food sources and ensuring trash cans have tight-fitting lids makes a property less appealing to foraging wildlife.