Possums prowling around your home can be an unsettling sight, especially if you have young kittens. You may find yourself wondering: will possums attack and eat my kittens? To ease your worries, here’s a quick answer: while possums are omnivorous scavengers, they very rarely attack cats or kittens.
In this nearly 3000 word guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about possums and kittens, including possum behavior, what they like to eat, whether they attack cats, and most importantly – do possums eat kittens? We’ll also provide tips on protecting kittens from predators like possums.
What Do Possums Like to Eat?
Possums are omnivorous marsupials with a diverse diet. They will eat just about anything they can find. Here’s an overview of some of their favorite foods:
Plants
Possums love munching on plant matter. Some of their favorite plant-based foods include:
- Fruits – Possums relish sweet fruits like apples, grapes, berries, and persimmons.
- Vegetables – Carrots, broccoli, lettuce, and sweet potatoes are veggie faves.
- Leaves and flowers – They’ll nibble on the leaves and flowers of gardens and trees.
- Grains – Possums occasionally eat corn, wheat, oats, and other grains.
Their sharp teeth and claws allow them to scale trees and strip away vegetation with ease.
Carrion & Garbage
If possums come across the carcass of a dead animal while scavenging, they won’t hesitate to eat it. Rotting meat provides nourishment and is easy for them to chew and digest. They also raid garbage cans and compost piles in search of scraps.
Eggs, Snails and Lizards
Although possums prefer plant-based foods, they will occasionally eat small animals for protein. Snails, lizards, frogs, rats, mice, and birds’ eggs may show up on the menu. Possums will even munch on snakes like garter snakes!
Insects
Possums gobble up insects like crickets, cockroaches, moths, beetles, snails, and worms. These crunchy bugs provide nutrients and fat. As expert climbers, possums can snatch insects right off trees.
Baby Birds
Baby birds are vulnerable in nests. Possums may raid nests and eat the eggs and chicks inside. However, this is not common possum behavior.
The Primary Exception: Kittens?
Contrary to viral internet rumors, possums do not typically eat kittens or cats. Kittens and cats are not part of the average possum’s diet. There is no evidence that possums hunt down and consume kittens as prey.
That said, possums are opportunistic eaters. If a possum stumbled upon a vulnerable, unsupervised litter of kittens, theoretically it could attack and eat them. But such incidents would be extremely rare exceptions, not typical possum behavior.
Overall, kittens and cats have little to fear from possums!
Possum Behavior and Interactions With Cats
Possums are Typically Not Aggressive
Possums are generally timid, non-aggressive animals that prefer to avoid confrontation whenever possible. They rely on playing dead and hissing to scare away potential predators rather than attacking. When possums come into contact with cats, they will likely flee or play dead rather than show any aggression.
According to the Opossum Society, less than 0.5% of possums carry rabies so the risk of them transmitting this disease to cats is extremely low. Possums also spend most of their time roaming and foraging at night when cats are less active.
This means direct interactions between the two animals are infrequent.
Signs of Possums in Your Area
Some signs that possums may be active near your home and pets include:
- Noises on the roof or in the attic at night
- Ransacked garbage cans with contents strewn about
- Holes or damage in your roof, attic, or walls
- Gardens or landscaping disturbed with plants dug up
- Possum droppings which resemble rodent feces
If you notice these signs, you may want to take precautions with any outdoor cats or kittens by bringing them indoors at night when possums are most active.
Anecdotes of Possums Killing Cats Are Rare
Stories of possums attacking and killing cats certainly exist but seem to be relatively rare occurrences. A 2020 compilation of online reports found less than 10 detailed accounts of possums killing cats over the past decade.
Most possum experts agree such incidents are unusual and believe the animals generally avoid altercations with cats.
One reason possums rarely attack cats may be because cats are efficient predators themselves. Cats likely pose too much of a threat for a timid possum’s comfort. On the rare occasion a possum does get aggressive with a cat, it is likely because the possum feels cornered or threatened.
Kittens May Be at Slightly Higher Risk
While incidents are still rare, kittens may be slightly more vulnerable to possums than adult cats. Kittens are smaller, weaker, and more helpless. One report described a possum entering a home through a cat door and attacking two kittens while leaving the adult cat alone.
To protect kittens, don’t leave any unattended outdoors. Kittens should be supervised when outside even briefly. You may also want to block or remove any cat doors at night when possums are active. This helps prevent them from sneaking in and possibly encountering kittens.
Protecting Kittens from Possums and Other Wildlife
Keep Kittens Indoors
The safest way to protect kittens from possums and other predators is to keep them indoors. Kittens should be kept inside until they are at least 6 months old, when they are big enough to defend themselves.
When kittens are very young, it’s important to confine them to one safe room of the house, with food, water, litter box and toys. Make sure windows are securely screened and doors are kept closed.
Outdoor cats face many dangers – not just possums, but also coyotes, foxes, dogs, hawks and traffic. Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years, while outdoor cats live only 2-5 years. So for their health and safety, it’s best to make kittens indoor cats.
Secure the Home Against Intruders
To keep possums and other wildlife out of your home, check for any openings they could sneak through and seal them up. Pay special attention around the roof, attic, crawl spaces, chimney, dryer vents and gaps around pipes. Possums are great climbers and can fit into very small spaces.
You may need to install screens, weather stripping, flashing, caulk or expandable foam to plug holes and cracks.
Cut back any overhanging tree branches that possums could use to access the roof. Trim bushes away from the house so they don’t offer hiding spots. Make sure pet doors are locked at night when possums are most active. Install motion-sensor lights to scare them away.
Supervise Kittens When Outside
If you do allow kittens in the backyard, closely supervise them for safety. Stay within arm’s reach so you can quickly pick them up if a possum approaches. Never leave them outside unattended, even for a few minutes. Predators like possums can be amazingly quick and quiet.
Have kittens wear a safety harness and leash for better control. Watch for warning signs like hissing, growling or the kitten’s hair standing on end. Carry the kitten inside immediately if you spot a possum nearby. With supervision, you can allow kittens outside while minimizing risks.
Deter Possums From Your Property
To discourage possums from visiting your yard, remove any food sources that might attract them. Keep pet food inside and secure trash cans. Pick ripe fruit from trees and clean up fallen ones from the ground. Eliminate potential dens by sealing off crawl spaces under sheds or porches.
Sprinkle hot pepper powder or predator urine granules around the perimeter of your property. Install motion-activated sprinklers that will startle possums with a burst of water. Ultrasonic pest repellers may also help deter them.
Just taking a few precautions will make your yard less inviting to possums.
What to Do if You Find an Orphaned or Injured Kitten
Assess the Kitten’s Condition
If you find a kitten outside that seems orphaned or injured, the first step is to assess its condition. Look for any visible injuries, check if it’s dehydrated by pinching the skin on its neck to see if it snaps back, and feel for a warmth and steady heartbeat.
If the kitten seems cold, weak, or seriously hurt, it needs immediate veterinary care. An orphaned newborn kitten that hasn’t opened its eyes yet won’t survive long without a mother’s care.
Provide Warmth, Food and Shelter
If the kitten is stable but too young and weak to fend for itself, you’ll need to provide warmth, nutrition, and a safe temporary shelter. Place the kitten in a box lined with towels or blankets near a heating pad set on low.
Only offer kitten milk replacement formula using a kitten baby bottle- never cow’s milk. Let the kitten rest in a quiet, dark space like a closet when possible.
Contact Local Rescue Organizations
Reach out to local animal rescue groups and shelters for guidance on next steps for the kitten. Many have foster networks ready to take orphaned kittens, provide supplies and support, and later find them loving forever homes.
For example, Alley Cat Allies has resources on its site for connecting orphaned kittens with fosters.
Consider Fostering the Kitten
If you have the time and resources, think about fostering the kitten yourself until it’s old enough for adoption at around 8-12 weeks old. Make sure you have a vet lined up to examine the kitten first.
Kittens need a lot of care and stimulation for proper development – frequent bottle feedings, bathroom help, socialization through play and snuggles, etc. But saving their life can be extremely fulfilling!
Conclusion
While possums very rarely attack and eat cats and kittens, their omnivorous scavenging instincts likely include felines as potential prey. By understanding possum behavior patterns, securing your home, supervising young kittens and deterring local wildlife, you can likely prevent any conflicts.
With some common sense precautions, possums, cats and kittens can safely coexist in suburban neighborhoods. But ultimately, responsible pet ownership means protecting kittens from all outdoor threats until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
