 Free @-@ fed feral cats and house cats tend to consume many small meals in a single day , although the frequency and size of meals varies between individuals . Cats use two hunting strategies , either stalking prey actively , or waiting in ambush until an animal comes close enough to be captured . Although it is not certain , the strategy used may depend on the prey species in the area , with cats waiting in ambush outside burrows , but tending to actively stalk birds . 
