While most domestic cats rarely stray more than a few meters from their homes, some can travel distances of more than two kilometers —especially younger cats and those living near natural environments. These are the findings of a new study from the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence. The research represents the first systematic analysis conducted on the Iberian Peninsula of how far domestic cats penetrate natural habitats and interact with priority conservation species such as the wildcat (Felis silvestris).

To carry out the study, the research team tracked the movements of 64 domestic cats using GPS collars.The sample included both owned and stray cats of different ages and both sexes, living in a range of environments.

“Citizen participation was essential. The people who allowed their cats to be tracked made this study possible,” explained Francisco Palomares, a researcher at the Doñana Biological Station – CSIC.

On average, cats were located about 88 meters from their homes, and in 42% of cases they stayed within 50 meters. However, some individuals ventured more than a kilometer away, and in a few instances traveled over two kilometers. Younger, sterelized and owned cats tended to have larger home ranges and covered greater distances.

The results showed that factors such as age, surrounding environment, and time of year influence the size of cats’ core activity areas—the zones they use most frequently. Younger cats, those living in rural or natural areas, and those in breeding season were found to roam farther.

Impact on wildlife

“Although cats usually remain close to where they live or are fed, the fact that domestic cats frequently travel more than 500 meters from their homes means they have significant potential to affect wildlife,” said Palomares.

The ecological consequences in the Iberian Peninsula are not negligible, and in some natural areas their effects are already visible. In both the Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park and the Montaña Palentina Natural Park, researchers have documented frequent encounters between domestic and wildcats occurring less than 100 meters from inhabited houses. These interactions can lead to competition for food and even hybridization between the two species.

Reducing cat’s impact on wildlife

To minimize potential ecological impacts, the team stresses the importance of controlling domestic cats’ access to the outdoors. “The most effective conservation approach would be to restrict domestic cats from roaming beyond their home boundaries,” Palomares said.

Public education campaigns promoting responsible pet ownership could also play a key role—encouraging people to keep their cats indoors and to supervise their outdoor time. “Adopting these practices could significantly reduce the overall environmental impact of domestic cats,” the researcher noted.

At a regulatory level, several measures could be considered, such as creating exclusion or buffer zones around protected or sensitive areas. Other steps might include banning the feeding of cats outdoors in these zones, expanding sterilization programs, and establishing local regulations for free-ranging pets.

“Prioritizing the implementation of these actions in areas of high ecological value, and during biologically sensitive periods, could substantially mitigate the risks domestic cats pose to native wildlife,” Palomares concluded.

The project was carried out with the permission and ethical approval of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of Andalusia, the Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park, and the Directorate General of Agricultural and Livestock Production of the Andalusian Government. The cooperation of cat owners who volunteered their pets was also essential to the success of the study.

Palomares, F. & Sanglas, A. (2025). Domestic cat penetrability into rural and natural habitats of the Iberian Peninsula. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 6:e70114. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70114