Beyond birds and mice, free-ranging cats eat a surprising number of insects

A look at cats’ diets as reported by researchers over many years shows they eat a lot more than people might think.

By: Christopher A. Lepczyk, Auburn University; Daniel Rubinoff, University of Hawaii, and Jean E. Fantle-Lepczyk, Auburn University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 8, 2026

Words: 1,018

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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By Christopher A. Lepczyk, Auburn University; Daniel Rubinoff, University of Hawaii, and Jean E. Fantle-Lepczyk, Auburn University

It’s pretty commonly known, and not very startling, that free-ranging cats eat birds and small rodents. But the degree to which they eat insects might surprise you.

We are biologists who for many years have been trying to figure out what feral or outdoor-roaming pet cats eat outside.

When domesticated cats – Felis catus …

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