If your cat goes outdoors often and catches birds, then you may have heard of the Cat Bib, which is an alternative to bells that you can now purchase online and in many countries.
With controversy on whether cats should wear bells on their collars or not, many owners who are worried about the wildlife in their surrounding area want to find other methods to prevent cats from catching birds. Though it may seem like a solution, at OneHowTo we'd like to show you how a cat bib works, so you can make a decision on whether this method is the best for your cat's hunting habit.
How does a cat bib work?
A cat bib is a neoprene triangular piece of material in a bright color that attaches to an elastic collar with some hoops and Velcro. This item is primarily used for outdoor cats who hunt for prey. Several studies have warned about the impact that feral cats have on local birds, decreasing their population. In this sense, this invention serves as an alternative to a bell to protect native species.
The cat bib works by having a bright color that will alert possible prey to the presence of a cat. The shape of this gadget will also prevent the cat from landing on two feet when they pounce on their prey, reducing the chances of a bird being caught.
Its inventors claim it does not interfere with their daily activity, which is why a cat owner can choose to only put it on when the cat goes outdoors or leave it on 24/7. Moreover, the bib is designed to be lightweight and comfortable, ensuring that it does not hinder the cat's movement or grooming habits.
Pros of a cat bib
As you may know, there are certain reasons why you shouldn't put a bell on your cat, which is why we should analyze the pros of this alternative.
The cat bib will not distress your cat or have any psychological effect on it as the bell does. In fact, according to Murdoch University (Perth, Australia), more than 80% adapt to it immediately, though some can take up to a week to adapt. People who have used it also claim their pet can climb, run, and clean themselves properly.
The effectiveness of this product is higher than the bell, because cats can learn to keep their head still so the bell doesn't ring, but the color of this bib will warn prey at a distance of the presence of the cat.
Though many argue that they could get stuck with it and choke, the attachment is made with Velcro so the cat doesn't choke if the bib gets stuck. Additionally, the bib's design keeps it from impeding the cat's vision, enabling them to navigate their environment without any difficulty.
Cons of a cat bib
However, it's important to mention that there are many arguments against the cat bib.
For example, it may disturb cats during the first days, making them run around like crazy trying to get the bib off by any means. They may also trip on it if the cat is wearing a bib that is too big for it.
Another con of the cat bib is that the effectiveness of the product on mammals and insects is significantly reduced, between 40% and 20%. This means that while the bib is effective in alerting birds, smaller prey may not be as easily deterred.
We should also mention that, though there are no official studies to prove it is bad, it is not recommended by the SPCA. Concerns about the bib's impact on a cat's natural hunting instincts and its potential to cause stress in some cats are factors to consider when deciding if this is the right choice for your pet.
Should my cat use a cat bib?
At this stage, there are no studies on the most effective method or the most secure, so the decision is entirely up to you, as you are the person who knows your cat best, so you can figure out how your cat will react to the bib.
Another alternative to avoid cats hunting birds is neutering, as this will reduce your cat's hunting instincts. However, the RSPB says there is no direct correlation between decline of bird population and feral cats[1]. Evidence up to this point suggests factors such as habitat loss to be more important factors.
All in all, choosing to get your cat a bib or any other preventive measure will depend on your relationship with nature and how you feel about domesticating your cat and suppressing its natural instincts. It's essential to balance your cat's well-being with your environmental concerns and to observe your cat's behavior closely when introducing any new accessory.
If you want to read similar articles to How Does a Cat Bib Work, we recommend you visit our Pets category.
1 https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/animal-deterrents/cats-and-garden-birds/are-cats-causing-bird-declines/