Mountain lions (Puma concolor) are apex predators, and the direct answer to whether they eat domestic cats is yes, they occasionally do. This large, elusive species views small domestic animals as opportunistic prey, especially when they wander unsecured outdoors. Understanding this predatory behavior is the first step for homeowners living in regions where mountain lions share the landscape, making proactive measures necessary for the safety of household pets.
The Frequency of Predation
Mountain lions are opportunistic hunters, though their primary diet consists of large ungulates like deer and elk. Domestic cats, due to their size and tendency to roam freely, are susceptible to being perceived as small, accessible prey.
A study analyzing the stomach contents of mountain lions removed under depredation permits found that a significant portion had consumed domestic animals, including cats and dogs. Over 50% of the mountain lions examined had eaten domestic animals, suggesting that when wild prey is difficult to secure, pets become an attractive and effortless food source. Vulnerability is heightened because mountain lions are stealthy ambush predators most active during the low-light hours of dusk and dawn, capitalizing on the predictable movements of unsecured pets.
Habitat Overlap and Conflict Zones
The increasing frequency of mountain lion-pet conflicts stems directly from human development expanding into natural habitats. This zone of interaction, known as the wildland-urban interface, is where the animals’ territories meet residential areas. As human populations grow, urban sprawl encroaches upon the dense vegetation and rugged terrain that mountain lions rely on for shelter and hunting.
Mountain lions often follow their natural prey, particularly deer, which have become habituated to feeding in suburban parks and backyards. The presence of deer and other small mammals like raccoons and skunks acts as a secondary attractant, drawing the larger predators closer to homes. Although mountain lions generally avoid human activity, most of their movement in high-density areas occurs between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. This nocturnal behavior allows them to utilize the urban landscape while minimizing encounters with people, placing them in the vicinity of outdoor pets during their most active hunting hours.
Protecting Pets and Deterrence Measures
The most effective measure for pet protection is implementing a strict night curfew for all small domestic animals. Cats, in particular, should be kept indoors full-time or secured from dusk until after dawn when mountain lions are most actively hunting. Secure, fully enclosed structures like “catios” or sturdy outdoor kennels offer a safe way for pets to experience the outdoors during the daytime.
Removing all potential attractants from the yard helps discourage mountain lions from investigating the property. This includes securing garbage cans with locking lids and never leaving pet food or water bowls outside, especially overnight. The presence of a food source, even one intended for small scavenging mammals, can draw in secondary prey, which in turn attracts the larger predator.
Landscaping modifications can make a property less appealing by eliminating ambush cover. Clearing dense brush, trimming low-hanging tree branches, and maintaining clear sightlines across the yard reduces the places a lion can hide while stalking. Installing motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of the home and outbuildings provides a simple, effective deterrent, as a sudden burst of light can startle and discourage a cautious mountain lion.
Using auditory deterrents, such as motion-activated alarms or a small air horn carried during late-night or early-morning walks, can also be effective. Mountain lions rely heavily on surprise to secure their prey and generally retreat from sudden, loud, or unpredictable disturbances. Utilizing a combination of these strategies—securing pets, removing attractants, and employing visual and auditory deterrents—creates an environment that encourages mountain lions to bypass the residential area entirely.