If you are wondering “Do cats and possums get along?”, you’re not alone. Possums are scavengers, and as a result they often carry parasites and can attack cats. Read on to learn more about these creatures and whether they can be good neighbors. You might be surprised to learn that they’re actually very friendly to cats. But there are still some things you should know before making friends with a possum.
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Possums are scavengers
Possums will often rummage through your garbage cans or trash cans, looking for food. Possums will eat almost anything, as long as it’s edible. Luckily, many possums can survive on leftover pet food! They can even be a nuisance when they raid your garden. Make sure to keep your trash cans tightly sealed and tie a lid over them!
They scavenge for food
Possums and cats both scavenge for food, but they eat different types of things. Possums usually prefer animal matter, but they can also eat trash and table scraps. Because they do not have the ability to hunt and gather their own food, they rely on humans’ garbage for food. Possums also eat pet food and left-overs, and can be a pest problem around garbage cans.
They carry parasites
Opossums are a common household pet, but did you know that they also carry zoonotic parasites? Several species of parasites found in opossums can infect humans and other domestic animals. In fact, opossums can carry more than one hundred different kinds of parasites. Listed below are some common parasites found in opossums and cats.
They attack cats
It’s not very often that you find a possum living in your neighborhood. But if you do, you may want to take precautions. Possums have glowing eyes and aren’t usually aggressive toward humans, although they will hiss and play dead to scare you off. Possums can also carry dangerous diseases such as rabies. Here are some ways to keep possums away from your home.
They are resistant to rabies
Although the disease is rare in humans in the United States, possums and cats are still considered low-risk animals. Some of these animals carry the disease, including armadillos, squirrels, nutria, prairie dogs, and gophers. These species are not considered to be high-risk animals because they are resistant to rabies. Regardless, they should always be protected from rabies, just in case.
They are timid
If you’re looking for a companion for your feline, consider a possum. Though these two animals are known to get along quite well, you must be careful about allowing them to become too familiar, as they can become aggressive. A possum may attack a cat or kitten, and a cat may bite it back to defend its food. The best way to avoid such an incident is to stay away from possums altogether.
They can be trapped
Possums and cats can be trapped, but it is important to do so properly. Possums are protected by Australian law and should only be trapped by trained professionals. You can trap possums safely by enclosing them in a cage that will not hurt them. Possums should be trapped in an area that is safe from wind, direct sunlight, and domestic pets. A trap for possums should also contain a trap for other animals, like raccoons.