Do Cats Eat Chipmunks – Unique Facts & Things To Know!

Cats eat just about anything, so anytime you take a cat outdoors it’s concerning what creatures they may hunt and bring back to you. Chipmunks are the first that come to mind, as cats love to follow prey, chase it down, and hunt it down. The chase is a lot of fun for the cats, whether they eat it or not. So let’s answer the obvious question, do cats eat chipmunks? 

Yes, cats eat chipmunks. Chipmunks are an appealing food source for cats. Cats tend to ingest the entire chipmunk including the bones, face, or other organs. Domesticated cats rarely eat chipmunks compared to wild feral cats.

This article will discuss if chipmunks are harmful to cats or bring any potential side effects after consuming one and whether they can cause worms in cats after eating them. Along with this, we’ll talk about whether chipmunks can survive a cat bite and how to keep your cat from hunting them down. Finally, you will learn about all of the factors to consider regarding cats devouring chipmunks.

Why Do Cats Eat Chipmunks

There are several justified reasons for cats to eat chipmunks. Some of them are being discussed below:

The fast-paced chipmunks entice cats

Cats love to hunt their prey. As chipmunks tend to run fast, they attract the hunting instinct of the cats. Hence, they tend to run after them.

Cats are omnivores

This means that cats tend to eat both plants as well as animals. The need and craving for flesh make the cats run after the chipmunks and feed on them. 

Wild cats have numerous opportunities

As chipmunks are mostly found on the trees, cats that roam freely outdoors tend to find great opportunities to hunt them down.

Cats are predators by nature

The predatory nature of the cats is the main reason why they love consuming chipmunks. They prey on other animals, and most of the time, these other animals are rodents.

Supplementing the food

Cats can eat fruit as well as flesh. Once they are bored of consuming fruits, they shift towards flesh conveniently for the change of taste. 

Is It Okay For Cats To Eat Chipmunks

Yes, it is quite acceptable for cats to eat chipmunks. Chipmunks include flesh and blood, which is precisely what the cats crave when they eat them. If you’re concerned about your cat’s penchant for chasing after chipmunks, you should rest assured that cats can eat chipmunks without having a side effect. 

Wild animals are believed to be the regular dietary choice for cats as a natural phenomenon. Wild animals are what they’re supposed to eat and survive on.

Anything with flesh will draw them, and they will be enthralled to pursue them and hunt them down. Chipmunks are one of the few animals with both meat and the ability to flee for their lives.

When a chipmunk flees from a cat, it is normal for the cat to follow it and hunt it down. Hence, it is entirely okay for cats to eat chipmunks.

Are Chipmunks Poisonous For Cats

No, chipmunks aren’t necessarily harmful to cats. Chipmunks are a type of tiny rodent that can be found all over the world. They are quick-witted animals who enjoy running about in search of food. However, they wind up becoming food for someone else while searching for their food. We’re talking about cats, of course.

Chipmunks do not poison cats. They have no qualms about devouring them. At the same time, it’s worth noting that if the chipmunk a cat eats has a severe infection or is suffering from a condition, it could impact the cat that ate it.

In most cases, wild chipmunks are infected with intestinal protozoa, and the parasite is present in their stomachs. Gulping down the animal, in this case, may have a negative impact on the cat’s health.

Can My Cat Get Sick From Eating A Chipmunk

Generally, cats do not get sick from eating a chipmunk. However, if the chipmunk is a wild one, they may carry diseases that can cause severe issues for your cat.

Chipmunks in the wild may be infected with a variety of illnesses in their stomachs. There’s a good likelihood that the chipmunk a cat ate had a severe ailment. As a result, the parasite that causes the infection may find its way into the cat’s body. As a result, the cat could become ill as a result of consuming the chipmunk.

However, at the same time, it is worth noting that chipmunks are a safe product to consume because they are a portion of natural food for omnivorous cats. If the chipmunk is healthy, eating it will not make your cat sick.

Can Cats Get Worms From Eating Chipmunks

Yes, if your cat eats a chipmunk that has already been infected with worms, it may catch worms. This is entirely by luck! If the chipmunk your cat eats has a healthy stomach and isn’t infected with worms, it will not be impacted.

The roundworm infection is the most frequent infection that your cat may contract after feeding an infected chipmunk. This is because when chipmunks eat their food in the wild, they frequently contract roundworm illnesses. If your cat consumes this sick mouse, the infection may spread to your cat.

If your cat is pregnant or nursing, it is more susceptible to roundworm illness. As a result, if you have a cat in this situation, keep her away from any area where she could see a chipmunk or any other rodent for that matter.

The likelihood of cats catching worms from eating chipmunks is entirely dependent on whether or not the chipmunk has them in its stomach.

Do Cats Attack Chipmunks

Yes, cats do attack chipmunks.

Chipmunks, due to their active nature are a favorite target for cats. However, cats prefer to fight any animal that attempts to flee to defend its life. Because of their predatory nature, cats are compelled to pursue and kill small creatures. This is due to cats’ instinct to seek down all animals fleeing from them.

It is no longer required for the cat to want to devour the chipmunk. Instead, there have been numerous instances where cat owners have discovered that their cat did not eat the chipmunk after hunting it down.

This may seem strange to many novice cat owners, but it is certainly not uncommon. The cats’ favorite pastime is hunting rodents rather than eating them. They would be drawn to chasing after the rodents rather than devouring them.

The food chain operates in a symbiotic relationship, with one predator preying on the prey of another. The same is true in this case. Chipmunks are predators that prey on smaller mammals.

They are trailed by them and are on the lookout for them. Chipmunks, on the other hand, are preyed upon by larger creatures such as cats and dogs. This is how the food chain continues to function. As a result, we understand that cats fight chipmunks, but the goal isn’t necessarily to devour them.

Can Chipmunks Survive A Cat’s Bite

Chipmunks can survive a cat bite if they are taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Regardless, the priority here is to get the attacked animal to the veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Bacteria abound in the mouths of cats. The mouths of cats are home to a wide variety of germs. The deadly bacterial agents can travel to the prey’s body after a cat bite or scratch. This is true even for humans. When a cat bites a human, he is exposed to highly harmful microorganisms, which can cause severe allergies and responses.

As a result, the chipmunk must be rushed to the veterinarian as soon as possible. This is due to the fact that a cat bite can transfer bacteria to the chipmunk’s body, where it might grow and worsen the situation.

The cat’s attack and bite on the chipmunks aren’t always motivated by hunger. Instead, the cats’ natural interest and enjoyment drive them to chase and attack the chipmunks.

If the cat doesn’t eat the chipmunk and instead bites it, the chipmunk will need to be sent to the veterinarian. He’ll eliminate all the poisonous compounds transferred from the cat to the rodent, leaving just favorable effects.

Do Cats Kill Chipmunks

Yes, cats do kill chipmunks.

In fact, this occurrence can happen often in the wild, but less likely if you have a pet chipmunk that is caged and protected. Cats, in reality, kill a wide range of creatures that they may pursue and hunt down. The goal of this quest, though, is not to fill stomachs.

Cats have an intrinsic need to chase and kill. This is the sole reason why cats hunt down and kill chipmunks. However, in the vast majority of cases, killing may not be the intended outcome. As a result, we conclude that cats do indeed kill chipmunks.

Will A Cat Get Rid Of Chipmunks

Yes, cats will get rid of chipmunks.

Much of this depends on if the cat really has an interest in ridding itself of the chipmunk. This is accomplished by scaring them away, sprinting behind them, and chasing them.

Cats have an adventurous streak that drives them to chase after chipmunks. When the cats detect the presence of a chipmunk, they begin racing after it and chasing it away.

How Do I Stop My Cat From Hunting Chipmunks

Stopping the cat from hunting the chipmunks necessitates some cat owners taking action. This can be accomplished, for example, by placing a bell around the cat’s neck.

This will alert the cat owner to the cat’s movements, which may then be closely watched. Feeding the cats a high-meat diet, on the other hand, will lessen their desire to chase after creatures having flesh. As a result, it will deter cats from hunting and devouring chipmunks.

Keeping the cat indoors as much as possible decreases the chances of a chipmunk being killed. Because the cat will avoid the chipmunk, the odds of the chipmunk being hunted and killed will naturally decrease.

How Do You Keep Cats Away From Chipmunks

Cats can only be kept away from chipmunks if the cat owner is diligent. In that case, you must provide enclosed spaces for both of these creatures. Both have predatory tendencies. Thus their owners must keep them separated from one another.

Giving the cats 10 minutes of concentrated playtime is another approach to keep them away from chipmunks. The need to go and hunt for the cat will be significantly reduced in this manner.

Things To Consider

Knowing that your cat loves eating chipmunks and is often on the hunt for them, there are some points that you might want to consider or keep a check on. 

Cats don’t necessarily have to eat chipmunks:

It’s not necessary that the cats have to eat chipmunks after chasing them. A lot of time, it is driven by the hunting instinct rather than the hunger instinct. 

Cats may cause infections to the chipmunks:

If the whole hunting down process has led to a bite or scratch on the chipmunk and not the actual eating up, it is mandatory to take the victim to a vet. Otherwise, it would cause severe action to the chipmunks.

Avoiding the attack can be domesticated:

While domesticating the cats, giving them enough playtime will reduce the chances of running after the chipmunks and hunting them down.