In Photos: Urban Bobcats Stroll through the American Southwest

Here's my good side

Humans can help prevent problems with their neighborhood urban bobcats by always feeding their pets indoors and never leaving any type of pet food outside. Shrubbery should be trimmed up and grasses cut short to avoid creating shaded areas for a bobcat wanting a midday nap. Outdoor water bowls or any consistent source of fresh water are not a good idea if bobcats become a backyard problem.

Sitting pretty

But if you are going to have a wild neighbor, an urban bobcat may be a pretty good choice. They are seldom heard and only occasionally seen. They have all the unique and fun characteristics of domestic cats as they can be seen sitting on a neighborhood fence cleaning themselves with their large, powerful paws. They certainly add a great touch of natural beauty to any neighborhood in which they decide to share with their human friends. But it must always be remembered that urban bobcats are wild animals and for everyone's safety, direct human contact and interaction should be avoided.