Most of the time, possums do not eat cats, and they generally avoid confrontations with adult cats, but in rare situations a possum could injure or potentially kill a cat, especially a kitten, if cornered or competing for food. The bigger everyday risks are disease, parasites, and stress from close contact rather than predation.

Quick Scoop

  • Possums are shy, nocturnal scavengers that prefer easy food like garbage, fruit, insects, and pet food left outside.
  • They are physically capable of hurting a cat (they have many sharp teeth), but they typically flee or “play dead” instead of attacking.
  • Adult, healthy cats are usually more dangerous to possums than the other way around; kittens and frail cats are more at risk.
  • The most common possum–cat issue is possums sneaking in to eat cat food, which can bring disease and parasites into your yard.

Do Possums Eat Cats?

  • Wildlife and pest-control sources say possums are omnivores that focus on easier meals (trash, roadkill, insects, small animals, eggs) and are not “out hunting” cats.
  • They can kill or badly injure a cat if forced into a fight, but this is considered uncommon and not their normal behavior.
  • Online forums where people share backyard experiences report that most possums and cats simply ignore each other or keep their distance.

Are Possums Dangerous To Cats?

  • Physical danger:
    • Rare but possible fights, especially if a possum feels cornered, is protecting young, or is sick.
* Kittens and elderly or ill cats are more vulnerable in any wildlife encounter.
  • Health risks:
    • Possums can carry parasites and some diseases; contact with their feces, urine, or saliva, or sharing food areas, can expose pets.
* Even if they do not attack, their presence around food bowls raises contamination risk.

Why Possums Hang Around Cats

  • Possums are strongly attracted to cat food left outside because it is high in protein, fat, and calories, and easy to steal at night.
  • Once they discover a regular food source (like a porch feeding station), they tend to return, which increases close encounters with outdoor cats.
  • Many reports describe possums and cats eating near each other with no fight, but this can still stress cats and encourage more wildlife visits.

How To Keep Your Cat Safe

  1. Change feeding habits
    • Feed cats in daylight and bring food indoors before dusk so possums are less tempted.
 * Clean up leftovers and spilled kibble promptly to reduce odor trails.
  1. Limit direct contact
    • Keep cats indoors at night where possible; this protects them from possums and many other hazards (cars, dogs, other wildlife).
 * If your cat must go out, supervise yard time or use a secure catio/enclosure.
  1. Secure your yard
    • Block easy den sites (low decks, sheds, brush piles) so possums are less likely to settle in.
 * Use wildlife-safe deterrents (motion lights, sprinklers) around feeding areas rather than traps or poisons.
  1. Watch for warning signs
    • If a possum is stumbling, unusually aggressive, or out in bright daylight and acting oddly, keep pets away and contact local animal control.
 * Have your cat examined by a vet if there are unexplained wounds or sudden behavior changes after outdoor time.

Forum & “Latest News” Angle

  • Recent pet-care and wildlife blogs continue to get traffic from the question “do possums eat cats,” reflecting ongoing concern among owners as outdoor and feral cat populations stay high.
  • Forum discussions on pet and possum subreddits are trending toward the view that possums are mostly harmless, food-motivated visitors, while urging people to keep cats indoors to protect both wildlife and pets.

Bottom line: possums are usually more interested in your cat’s food than in your cat, but good feeding practices and nighttime precautions will keep both animals safer.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.