cats are active carnivores, meaning that in the wild they hunt live prey. their main prey is small mammals (like mice). they will also stalk, and sometimes kill and eat, birds. cats eat a wide variety of prey, including insects such as flies and grasshoppers. their main method of hunting is "stalk and pounce". while dogs have great stamina and will chase prey over long distances, cats are extremely fast, but only over short distances.