Cat Bib – good or bad?

 Cat Bib in action
Cat Bib in action

I have only today heard about the cat bib. It shows you how big the internet is. The “cat bib” is a device that stops the domestic cat catching birds and other species of animal, and killing them. It is a triangular shaped piece of soft, washable material that hangs from the cat’s collar. It simply presents a barrier between prey and cat. “It defeats all the cat’s stealth and cunning at exactly the moment it’s needed…” It is meant to be worn when your cat goes out but can be left on all the time as it is claimed to not interfere with the normal activities of a domestic cat except hunting.

The 64,000-dollar question is: Is it a good idea? Well, it depends on how we relate to our cats and nature in general. As I see it there are two ways of approaching this product.

FOR: The manufacturers say that it is 81% successful and therefore is effective in stoping cats killing birds. This is a good thing many would argue. Cats kill billions of birds some people say. We must protect native species from the invasive species that is the domestic cat. However, people, including bird conservationists over egg the cake when discussing the data about cats killing birds. It is not as bad as they make out. The fact is we don’t have reliable information on the impact of the domestic and feral cat on native animal species, despite what people claim.

NOT SO SURE: As far as I can see no one has asked what the cat might feel with a fairly large piece of material hanging from his or her collar (your cat will have to wear a collar to use this). And how does the cat react to being prevented from expressing natural behaviour? Does the cat bib stress the cat slightly? We need to ask ourselves how we might feel if a major part of our natural activity was terminated at a stroke.

The cat bib seems to be one more product that further domesticates the domestic cat and reduces its natural behaviour. How far do we go to modify our cat’s natural behaviour and appearance? Breeders have created some odd looking purebred cats and this product seems to be designed to assuage our guilt at knowing that our cat might kill birds. This seems to be a bit similar to declawing only much more humane of course. But it is designed to modify behaviour or more precisely to curtail the effectiveness of natural behaviour. Declawing stops natural cat scratching behaviour and the cat bib stops natural cat hunting behaviour. How unnatural do we want our cats?

In defence of our cat companions, the cat bib looks wrong to me. I certainly would not buy one. It also looks ugly on a cat. A minor point perhaps but a point nonetheless.

But I see the argument. It is good from the bird’s standpoint and from the standpoint of protecting wild species of animal. The more important point is that people can do things that have a far greater impact on increasing bird population numbers without interfering with a cat’s natural behaviour.

We can stop damaging bird habitats. By far the greatest damage to all wildlife is due to habitat loss which in turn is due to human population growth and increased human activity. Can’t we talk about the unmentionable, human population growth, and deal with that? We will have to one day.

Also, as mentioned, we need to recognise that the killing of birds by domestic cats is highly exaggerated in my opinion.

In conclusion, I understand the reason behind manufacturing this product but don’t like the way a domestic cat’s behaviour is being further modified. If we want to protect wildlife we should first look at ourselves and ask what we can do. It is careless and convenient to blame to cat.

Comments for
Cat Bib – good or bad?

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May 21, 2012 Awful NEW
by: Anonymous

I think the Cat Bib is a horrible idea. My cats do occasionally catch birds, but not to the extent that I would force them into wearing one of these. It would put great stress on them… not to mention, our neighbors constantly leave their gate open and their dogs come running into our yard and chasing our cats. The bib would keep them from being able to escape, from being able to quickly climb a tree to get out of danger, or cause them to be unable to easily climb into the cat door to safety.

All in all, I see no reason for someone to use this on their cat. If bells on collars don’t work, then put up fake bobble-headed owls to ward off birds from your yard. Don’t punish your cat for simply doing what ages of evolution has bred him for.


Sep 24, 2011 BAD!!!
by: Maggie

These got mentioned while talking about how cats are destroying Australian wildlife. I’ll be honest, I wanted to punch the stupid woman who said she had put this cruel creation on her cat. And people say I’m cruel for having my cat indoors only… These ‘bibs’ should be illegal, I’ve never seen something so horrible. If you don’t like your cat killing animals, keep them indoors only, build them an enclosure, put 5 or 6 bells on their collars if you have to. Anything has to be better than putting a bib on your cat, what if the bib got caught in something and the cat got stuck? It could be days before the cat was found. There are too many reasons as to why these shouldn’t be used, and there are countless alternatives to them.


Sep 18, 2011 Last 2 comments
by: Michael

Agreed. These are products for humans not for the cat’s benefit.


Sep 18, 2011 A few more contenders
by: Ruth

Add:
cat cages in houses
scat mats
flea collars
squirt bottles

Kattaddorra signature Ruth


Sep 18, 2011 A contest….anyone more prizes?
by: Anonymous

A contest for inventions for cruel or selfish or stupid people to force un-natural behavior on their cats …

1st prize de-clawing
2nd prize the cat bib
3rd prize the cat pram


Sep 15, 2011 B A D with a capital B!
by: Jane

I totally agree with everyone else.
This is a sickening invention to those of us who love cats and what some people see as their faults and all.
So,the human race can blast birds from the sky and no one can complain,that’s a bigger fault to me than any natural hunting that cats do,but cats aren’t permitted to follow their natural instinct.
Instead the cats belonging to idiots are forced to wear a bib.
What is this world coming to?


Sep 15, 2011 BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by: Barbara

I’d like to take that bib and stuff it right down those two antipodeans’ throats! I have never seen anything so bloody stupid in my whole life, firstly the cat in the video was getting her paws tangled up and it looked at one point like she was going to fall rather than jump, secondly as Monty’s mum points out how dangerous the stupid things are if a cat goes tree climbing and thirdly what about if the cat was attacked by a dog or some other creature how could she defend herself properly and escape with that thing hanging in front of her? Whoever came up with that idea is a moron(and didn’t it say “researchers” at some university, so that implies to me cats in a lab being used to try the damn thing out on)and the woman who says it helps her find her cat more easily is also a moron as is the man who says it they were trying to find a way to ALLOW people the pleasure of OWNING a cat. If people have to resort to this sort of thing why the hell do they have a cat?
Cats catch birds = Fact! Get over it!
How come (as Kattaddorra has already said)people can kill birds with guns, pesticides, by taking away their habitat and by all the disgusting ways they kill them to stuff them down their own throats and yet cats are not allowed to follow the instincts they were born with?

This is just another sickening invention of the so called superior race – mankind? NO mancruel!

Barbara avatar


Sep 15, 2011 Bad?
by: Anonymous

More like EVIL!


Sep 15, 2011 BAD
by: Rose

For God’s sake!
As Ruth so rightly said,what next?

I watched that video of that poor cat stumbling along with that impediment and I hated that woman extolling its praises SO MUCH I could have burst.
The mentality of take their freedom,take their claws,shove collars on,dress them up,shove them in cages to show off,do whatever you like with them,they are in your power,makes my blood boil.

Cats are CATS,they like being cats.
Cats hunt,it’s what cats do,it’s Mother Nature’s way of balancing life.
As the other Ruth said,sometimes it’s just a game.
What do people want cats to do?
Sit pretty and do NOTHING?
It seems so to me!


Sep 15, 2011 Bad idea
by: Ruth (Monty’s Mom)

I’m afraid Monty could get caught on something if he were wearing a collar outside and maybe choke himself or get stuck way up in a tree. This bib thing would make me worry even more. He likes to climb– wouldn’t the bib interfere with safe tree climbing? I just monitor what he’s doing outside closely. I make it my job to scare away his prey. He thinks I’m exasperatingly stupid: “Mom, I could have had that!” I find letting him out near dusk when the birds are asleep works well. Also, since he is confined to our fenced yard it seems like the birds are getting to know he’s there. They warn each other when he’s out. He hasn’t even come close to catching one in a long time, even without my interference.

There is also this really annoying squirrel who seems to enjoy picking on Monty. It’s like he knows the cat can’t get out of the yard and shakes his little tail at him as if to tease. He even comes down into the yard quite near the cat, daring him to give chase, but always scurrying up the nearest tree just in time. Once out of reach he makes this incessant, annoying chirping sound. I wouldn’t want anything hampering Monty’s ability to chase that squirrel. When he gets it someday, is it safe for him to eat it? Would there be parasites or anything? I’m hoping it doesn’t bite him in the process, but I’m thinking Monty will snap it’s little neck before it would have a chance. I try to love all God’s creatures, but like a parent who becomes too invested with her child’s handling of a school yard bully, I want so much for Monty to kick that squirrel’s furry little hind end. I cheer him on when he comes really close to catching it. Then other times it seems like Monty let him get away. The squirrel seems to bother Monty less than it does me. Sometimes I think they are just playing with each other, like it’s a game they enjoy, and it will never end because Monty will let him get away so they can play another day. There is more going on in the animal kingdom than we can perceive or understand.


Sep 15, 2011 BAD BAD BAD
by: Ruth

Whatever next !
The only other thing I’ve seen as unkind and ridiculous as these bibs are those stupid prams some people think are wonderful to take cats for walks in.
I’d like to put the inventor of the bib and the people who hamper their cats with them, in one of them hanging down to his/her feet day and night, see how they would like their natural behaviour curbed.
People kill more birds and wild life than cats ever could, they take their natural habitat, they use pesticides which poison their food, they happily eat any bird or animal they fancy.
Oh yes people have to have their rights !
What a pity cats have no rights !
Well when domestic cats are all shut indoors or fitted with bibs and all the ferals killed and the world is over run with rodents, I hope those people who think up the ideas to stop cats being cats don’t think they have the right to complain !!!!

Kattaddorra signature Ruth


24 thoughts on “Cat Bib – good or bad?”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. The real solution is spay and neuter. Billions of birds killed by cats?! I doubt it. But, any number would surely be reduced by bring the cat overpopulation under control. In the end, the real overpopulation problem is that of humans. The major loss of birds is from habitat destruction caused by humans. Obviously, humans are also the reason for the cat overpopulation. Let’s get the real source of the problem right, here. Bibs? ….finger in the dike.

    Reply
  3. I cannot believe the loopy support of this utterly ridiculous invention. Cats hunt birds. It’s an ecological issue, and an important one, but chaining an outdoor cat to a cumbersome hunk of plastic or fabric, that goes around it’s neck, is beyond irresponsible. The woman who invented this thing is a narcissistic nation, and the company manufacturing this thing is even more detestable.

    I am an Ethologist, with over 40 years of experience working with, studying, and rehabbing animals. Let me clearly explain what this bib does: by putting it on your cat, you are severely compromising your cats ability to defend itself or escape from the myriad of dangers they face outdoors. It’s a matter of when, not if, that leads to injury or death. I am utterly floored anyone with support this lazy and dangerous approach to the problem. Research and statistical data have proven time and time again that using bells radically reduces successful hunting of birds by cats in feral colonies I wont even try to rationalize this to people who actually choose to keep cats as pets, bc not only should you know better, but you have a responsibility to both your cat and nature- by using this, you’re failing one. You’re endangering them as well. Shame on you.

    If you don’t want them to miss out on nature, build an enclosure. Otherwise, get them inside. It is absolute bullwhark that 2 cats can’t be socialized to live together- any cats can be socialized, feral or not, when the caregiver puts forth the effort. It takes time, patience, and dedication, but if you can’t muster that, you shouldn’t have a cat. If you live in the country and have barn cats, or let them outside, YOU are responsible for protecting both cat and bird.

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  4. After taking a bird to our local animal rescue today, after our rescued feral cat got it, I’d had enough. He’s a serial killer! Yes, he gets lots of rats and mice and gophers, which is fine, but not the birds. I believe in indoor only cats. All my previous cats have been indoors and we now have one that is 23 years old. The new ginormous male we saved is much larger, much younger and they are both males which means we can only keep Frank ( the outdoor/feral) inside when we are there.I am hoping that when the old one goes ( Jupiter) that we will be able to keep Frank inside, but until then, I need to stop this bird killing. It IS the responsible thing to do as a cat owner. I bought the bib today and have read countless testaments to its effectiveness. My concern now is that it may impede him from defending himself against predators IE; dogs, mountain lions, foxes, other CATS ( that he’s been known to fight nearby) and any other predator.I’d rather try something else though. I have considered the birds be safe collar. Here is a link to a pretty thorough study on that one.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989415000050

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  5. I’m pro outdoor cats if their neighborhood is safe from traffic. However, one of my cats routinely kills songbirds that nest in our yard and garden. She is a serial killer–daily. I’ve had enough. It’s disheartening to see birds work to raise their young who are then killed by Scout. I’m going to try the BirdsBeSafe collar cover and hope it works, but I doubt it. Scout is an intense/excellent hunter. Very smart. I won’t hesitate to try the bib. I don’t care how it looks. Enough is enough.

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  6. I have 6 cats, all feral to domestic. 2 of them are very good hunters, bringing birds in on an almost daily basis and they were also bringing in other little creatures. I have used these bibs for these two, and have noticed a decrease in the number of birds killed. The cats do not mind the bibs. It took a day to get used to a collar and another day when I attached the bib to it.
    Recent estimates are that 40 million birds are killed every year from cats in the US.
    Be responsible owners and care for the wildlife as well as your cats.

    Reply
    • I agree, Karen that responsible cat owners should think about wild species and try and protect them from their domestic cat’s predation. Personally, I don’t think the bib is satisfactory but that is a personal viewpoint. As to the number of birds killed by domestic and stray cats annually in America, there have been many attempts to estimate a correct number but nobody as yet has come up with an accurate figure despite what the scientists claim and state. All estimates are based upon relatively small surveys and then extrapolating to work out a countrywide figure.

      Experts who are more critical have decided that this method is a failure. Every day we read about the thoughts of ornithologists and cat hating scientists who come up with exaggerated figures about the numbers of birds killed by cats. That said, as mentioned, we should do our best to avoid cats killing birds but at least when they do it, it is a natural event. When humans kill wildlife they often do it for the pleasure of it in what they call “sport hunting”. There is a difference. Or we kill birds inadvertently through our buildings and our sprawling urbanisation et cetera. Humans either directly or indirectly kill far more birds than cats.

      There’s an interesting story newspaper today about how the Chinese have all but forced the bunting (a small bird) into extinction because they have eaten their way through the entire Chinese population of this once incredibly populous bird.

      Reply

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