Bobcats: Lousy Pets, But Purrr-fect Neighbors
Alpha the Bobcat Rehab Kitten
A shadow moves at the edge of a suburban backyard. Golden eyes gleam for a split second before disappearing into the underbrush. Was it a housecat? A fox? No—it was something far wilder. Bobcats, elusive and efficient hunters, are increasingly being spotted in neighborhoods like Norwood and Westwood, Massachusetts. While some might see this as alarming, the truth is, these wild felines are not a threat to humans. In fact, they are essential to maintaining the balance of our local ecosystems.
Yet, too often, people panic when they see a bobcat and demand that it be removed. The idea of relocating these animals may seem like a quick fix, but it’s a solution that simply doesn’t work. In fact, removing a bobcat can do more harm than good—to the bobcat, to the environment, and even to the humans who live nearby. Instead, the best approach is to learn how to coexist with these wild neighbors, appreciating their role as nature’s own pest control specialists.
Why Are Bobcats Showing Up in Suburbs?
Bobcats aren’t moving into human neighborhoods because they want to raid our trash bins like raccoons or beg for scraps like stray dogs. They are following their food—vermin. Suburban areas, with their unsecured garbage, bird feeders, and pet food left outdoors, are a buffet for rats, mice, and rabbits. And where there’s an abundance of prey, predators will follow.
Despite their occasional appearances in backyards, bobcats are naturally shy. They avoid people whenever possible and pose no danger to humans. If you spot one near your home, it’s not looking for trouble—it’s just doing its job: keeping the rodent population under control.
The Myth of Relocation: Why It Doesn’t Work
When people see a bobcat in their neighborhood, their first instinct is often to call for its removal. But relocation rarely has a happy ending for the bobcat. These animals are highly territorial, and when they are removed from their home range, they struggle to survive. They are often driven out by resident bobcats in the new area, unable to find food, or even killed by larger predators.
Furthermore, removing a bobcat creates an ecological vacuum—one that is quickly filled by another bobcat, or worse, by an unchecked explosion of rodents. Without predators like bobcats, local mouse and rat populations can skyrocket, leading to increased property damage and the spread of diseases.
The same principle applies to cougars, the bobcat’s larger cousin. In states like California and Florida, where mountain lions occasionally wander into suburban areas, relocation efforts often fail for the same reasons. Cougars are solitary, territorial animals. If one is removed, another will simply move in to take its place.
Rather than trying to remove these vital predators, communities should focus on adapting to their presence.
How to Live Alongside Bobcats and Cougars
The good news is that coexisting with these wild cats is simple. Here are some easy ways to keep both humans and bobcats safe:
🔹 Secure Your Food Sources – Keep pet food indoors, secure garbage cans, and avoid feeding outdoor animals like feral cats or deer. A reliable food source will attract prey animals—and in turn, bobcats.
🔹 Eliminate Shelter for Prey – Bobcats follow the food. By keeping your yard free of brush piles, wood stacks, and overgrown vegetation, you reduce the hiding spots for rats and rabbits, making your property less attractive to predators.
🔹 Protect Pets and Livestock – While bobcats are not a danger to people, small pets should be supervised when outdoors, especially at dawn or dusk. Enclosing backyard chickens or rabbits in secure pens can also prevent unwanted encounters.
🔹 Educate, Don’t Eradicate – Fear often comes from misunderstanding. By learning about bobcats and their role in the ecosystem, we can replace fear with appreciation. These animals are not villains; they are nature’s way of keeping balance.
The Bottom Line: A Healthy Ecosystem Needs Bobcats
Bobcats are not meant to be pets. They are wild, independent hunters who play a crucial role in keeping rodent populations in check. They may seem like an unusual sight in suburban areas, but they’ve been here all along, quietly doing their part to maintain the balance of nature.
Rather than trying to remove them, we should respect and appreciate them. By making small changes to our habits, we can create a world where both humans and wild cats thrive. After all, a neighborhood with bobcats is a neighborhood with fewer rats, fewer diseases, and a healthier environment for all.
So the next time you catch a glimpse of a bobcat near your home, take a moment to admire it—not fear it. Because these wild cats may be lousy pets, but they are the best neighbors we could ask for.
Help Protect Wild Cats Like Bobcats and Cougars!
Support conservation efforts by donating to organizations that work to protect wildcats in their natural habitats. Visit BigCatRescue.org to learn how you can make a difference today!
Roar out for this bobcat: https://wbsm.com/massachusetts-norwood-westwood-bobcat-sightings/
