You might consider the possum as a beneficial critter. But it is wise to think twice about having them around, especially when you help one of your close friends temporarily keep his/her outdoor cat for a few days or a few weeks while he/she is on holiday. That’s when you should know about “How to keep possums away from cat food?”

What’s the first thing to come to your mind when the word or the images of possums pop up? Some might find them a lovely animal living in the wilderness while most think that they are garage invaders or a huge, dirty, scavenging rat. However, whether you love creepy-looking animals or hate them, thanks to their excellent immune system and adaptability, they are a successful scavenger which is better than cats when it comes to keeping the rats and mice under control. This misunderstood animal is not a vector for rabies or other health issues/types of diseases that can pose a threat to your health or your pets. But, think twice about having them around, especially when you help one of your close friends temporarily keep his/her outdoor cat for a few days or a few weeks while he/she is on holiday.

“How to keep possums away from cat food?” It’s time to think about that!

How Dangerous Are Possums Eating Cat Food

How Dangerous Are Possums Eating Cat Food?

Possums love all kinds of food and your cat food is not an exception. They have to forage to stay alive and, as a result, once they know of a food source outside, it is likely that they will keep raiding the bowl all night.

So what’s the consequence of letting possums eat cat food? Obesity is what he pays the price for. What’s more? What’s if possums coming back for more cat food every night? Possums are cute animals which do not easily get angry. But come between them and their food then you will easily become dead meat! Facing these hungry possums, the natural instincts of cats when it comes to keeping their food safe is nothing. There’s potential for conflict between your family pet and a pretty tame looking possum.

That’s why you should know “How to keep possums away from cat food?” and that’s why we’re here to help.

Check us out for detailed healthy cats guide!

How To Keep Possums Away From Cat Food?

Possums are a beneficial critter but is it wise to have them around?

If it is possible to bring your cat food indoors

As possums are mostly nocturnal, leaving your cats food at night is synonymous with wanting and getting them around. The much you want to leave your cat's food and water bowls outdoors, the bigger problem you will get into. A simple way to avoid it? To prevent possums from stealing your cat food, take your cat food bowl in or try to put some cinnamon sticks at the spot in which your cat food dishes were placed.

If you have no choice but keep your cat food out at night

If you have to keep your cat food out at night, how to keep possums away from cat food? Place it at a place that the possums cannot get to. For example, an outside table - a metal patio table!

It is clear that possums active mainly when the night falls. But does it mean that you have to be outdoors all day long to watch out for possums? If you are about to feed your furry friends with dry food and are not home and, thus, are not able to treat them with breakfast and lunch, my recommendation is to put out enough for him/her to nibble on for the whole day. And, when there is only about an hour of daylight left, it’s time to give him/her the last meal of a day. Feeding the feral cats by day means that you can remove all food before the possums’ most active time of a day. Also, feeding your cats plenty during the day is not a bad idea. Therefore, you do not need to put out much food for their dinner.

Keep Possums Away From Cat Food

How to keep possums away from cat food?

In case you actually want to take steps to kill possums or remove them, make sure that they are really dead prior to picking one up! Do you know that possums are well known for having a small mouth yet packed with approximately 50 very sharp/pointy teeth? Of all kinds of mammals, possums have the largest number of teeth. Even though teeth are a tool for taking on possums’ enemies (in fact they are just a visual threat), being careful is never exaggerating.

Possum Rescue Organizations Throughout The US

There are various possum rescue organizations throughout America and in order to locate someone near you that can come and get yours, all you need is a real quick search on Google.

Austin Pets Alive – No 1156 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703, U.S;
Best Friends Animal Society - 15321 Brand Boulevard, Mission Hills, CA 91345; 307 West Broadway, New York City, NY 10013; 2005 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84106; etc.
Kansas City Pet Project - 4400 Raytown Rd, Kansas City, MO 64129;
The Humane Society of the United States - 1255 23rd Street NW, Suite 450 Washington, D.C., U.S.;
Alley Cat Allies - 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-2525;
Underdog Rescue - 5238 E State Road 64, Bradenton, FL 34208;
Animal Friends of the Valleys - 33751 Mission Trail, Wildomar, CA 92595;
The Animal Foundation - 655 N. Mojave Road, Las Vegas;

Do you want your cats to have a hard time fighting for his dinner or your possums to suffer from obesity? Even though it is possible for them to get along with each other, there’s potential for conflict between your family pet and a pretty tame looking possum. That’s why you’d better know how to keep possums away from cat food and we’re here to help!

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