Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Cat Prints in the Snow, Big and Small
We’ve had snowy conditions for more than a week, and early on, I let Benji outside to check it out.
He didn’t stay long, but long enough for me to get a picture of his tiny paw prints in the snow.
As the weather has remained cold his time outside dwindled, which turned out to be a good thing.
Because last Monday, we had a visitor to our backyard. Bob saw him watching our sleeping Tiger through the window and ran to get the pellet gun to scare him off. By the time I responded to Benji’s deep-throated cry, the large cat had retreated further into the backyard. He was at least twice the size of Tiger, with a large round face. He sat looking at us, while I flailed my arms through the window, and tried my best to look menacing. When he turned and fled, I saw his thick, stump of a tail, and knew it was a bobcat.
I was so thankful that Benji and Tiger had been inside!
After posting on Facebook, I learned that friends have also seen bobcats in the greater Seattle area. I guess it’s not surprising they’re around, given the woods and other wildlife nearby (rabbits, raccoons, deer.)
Neither Benji nor Tiger have been outside since.
A few days later, we saw some large prints in front of the neighbor’s house, which we assume are from the wild cat.
Needless to say, it’s been unsettling and we’re keeping the cats inside until we have some assurance the bobcat is no longer nearby.
That’s not an issue for Tiger who’s almost 17 years old and perfectly content to remain inside.
It’s much more difficult for Benji, who prior to his injury last year, was in and out, day and night, whenever he pleased. (Yes, we were enablers.) More recently he was outside at least an hour or two a day.
I’m doing my best to keep him happy with new toys, fresh catnip and delicious treats.
And I’ve promised that when spring arrives, he can help me outside in the garden, just like in the old days, when he had all four.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Wow…we ahd a Bobcat scamper across our hillside two years ago but nothing around so moved on…we also have a Coyote once in a wile as well….
It was unsettling since we normally let Benji out during the day.. hopefully it will move on..
Yes it puts a lot of stresss on you as you never know where it may be
Wow, I’m glad your cats are safe from the Bobcat! Benji’s paw prints are so cute! 🥰😻
Thanks, John. I was so happy they were inside when the bobcat showed up!
Me too, Susanne, your fur babies must be safe! ❤️😊
I always let the dogs out before the cats, trusting that the dogs will chase any predators off. It seems to be working so far. We’ve seen coyotes in the yard (inside the fence, no less) but mostly it’s just opossums and raccoons and the occasional mouse or rat.
Sounds like a plan! A good-sized dog would come in handy right now. It was such a shock to see that bobcat up against our sliding glass door, fearless!
So glad the pets are safe. Had no idea bobcats would come around inhabited areas — it must mean their normal hunting range has been impacted somehow. On our Canadian prairies they stay most often in deeply forested areas.
Thank you. It was such a shock to have that bobcat in the backyard! There are a lot of woods nearby so maybe the snow drove this one out looking for food. Hopefully, we won’t see him again.
🙏♥️🙏
I’ve never seen a bobcat but from all you say it sounds like it would definitely be best to keep the boys inside for now! I hope you can keep Benji happy and occupied 🙂
It was quite a shock to see one in our backyard! Hopefully, he has moved on, and as the weather improves, we’ll be able to let Benji go outside with supervision.
Stay safe little guy
Yes, indeed! Thank you. 🙂
It is understandably worrying to find evidence of the Bobcat still being around. I think the pellet gun is a good idea and might well scare it away.
Best wishes, Pete.
If it shows up again, hopefully Bob will have time to get a few shots off… best case is that it leaves the area.. maybe the bad weather brought it out of the woods.. We’ve kept the cats in the past week, hopefully can let them out when the weather gets better, with supervision..
We have more problems with coyotes where I live, but since they started showing up in town, Pete and I keep our cats inside. They don’t seem to mind.
I knew there were coyotes around (though I’ve only seen one once, years ago) but the bobcat was a complete surprise. Tiger doesn’t mind staying in but Benji loves the outdoors so it’s harder for him. As long it stays cold, it’s easy to keep him in, but when it warms up it will be much more challenging; we may let him out with supervision if there are no more bobcat sightings.