Surveys of domestic cats reveal that the list of prey matches that for feral cats. Hence, domestic cats also impact negatively on native wildlife. A hidden threat Predation of native wildlife by cats is not the only reason for concern. Cats are the definitive host of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii which causes toxoplasmosis and is known to induce abortion in sheep and to infect humans and wildlife species. Toxoplasmosis can cause central nervous system and systemic disease leading to death in bandicoots and other wildlife species.
Female cats can breed before they are one year old.
A healthy female produces two litters of kittens per year, usually during spring and summer, with an average of 4 kittens per litter. However, juvenile mortality amongst feral cats is high with the major cause of death being starvation due to food shortages during autumn and winter. Although there is a standing population of feral cats, recruitment is constantly occurring from the domestic population. Even the best kept cat can go wild, whether through wandering too far from its home area when hunting or via interactions with feral cats. Unfortunately unwanted domestic cats or kittens are often dumped by irresponsible owners.