If you own a cat, you may have observed your pet engaging in its innate hunting behavior. Since cats are innate hunters, many of them find that catching mice comes naturally to them. Even though this behavior is typical, pet owners may have questions and concerns—especially if they live in an area where mice are prevalent.
Determining the reason behind cats’ mouse-hunting behavior can assist you in controlling it. While some cats may do it for fun, others might see it as a means of supporting their human family. Whatever the cause, you must handle the matter in a way that maintains both the safety of your house and the happiness of your cat.
We’ll look at what to do if your cat catches a mouse in this article. We can help you with anything from controlling your cat’s hunting instincts to making sure your home is safe and healthy for both your pet and any unwanted visitors. Let’s explore the world of our animal companions and discover how to deal calmly with this typical situation.
Why do cats eat mice
In addition to satiating the cat’s natural desire to hunt and consume rodents with tails, this behavior helps to preserve the cat’s health. The truth is that taurine, which is essential for cats, is abundant in the brains of mice. This material is extremely important to the animal.
- regulates the work of the central system;
- forms strong immunity;
- normalizes the process of blood clotting, preventing the opening of internal bleeding and promoting rapid healing of wounds;
- maintains the work of the reproductive system at the proper level;
- is a strong antioxidant that cleanses the body;
- facilitates the contraction of the heart muscle, replenishing the necessary concentration of calcium.
An inadequate diet can cause the body’s taurine levels to drop, which can lead to heart and vascular disorders, neurological abnormalities, and other health problems in the animal. The owner should take note of the cat’s behavior and add taurine-enriched products to the cat’s diet if it starts catching and eating mice out of the blue.
Mouse skin contains additional elements required by cats, known as sulfonic acids, which include cystine, methionine, and cysteine. The normal condition and thickness of cat fur depend on these sulfonic acids. When a cat consumes a mouse in addition to its skin and fur, it indicates that it is lacking in these nutrients.
Satisfaction of the hunting instinct
In the natural world, even the cuddliest and fluffiest kitten had a role as a predator and hunter. The urge to forage for food vanished when people domesticated and tamed cats. But sometimes instinct takes over and demands to be expressed in tamed circumstances.
The cat’s innate need to hunt mice is an uncontrollable reflex, even if its body does not lack any necessary components for health maintenance. Not just the many yard cats catch mice. After they’ve seen a mouse, a lot of purebred kittens kept in greenhouses will chase it. But whether or not they are tormented by hunger will determine whether or not they eat their victim for lunch.
Junk food
Owners of cats, particularly those who live in homes and private estates, are delighted when their pets go on a hunt for mice, which are household pests, and they do not find it alarming that the hunter chose to eat his trophy. While it is true that cats naturally eat mice for lunch or dinner, doing so can cause serious issues for both the animal and frequently the owner.
Dangerous diseases can be carried by rodents, such as mice, and can even spread from pet to human through close contact. A cat may contract any of the following infections after consuming a mouse:
- Rabies is a very serious disease that can be fatal without timely assistance. The danger of this disease is that in the initial stages it does not manifest itself in any way, and at this moment the pet, even during play, can accidentally bite the owner, infecting him. If a domestic cat often hunts mice, the likelihood that it will get rabies is extremely high, which means that such a pet poses a threat to all family members. You can protect your animal and people from rabies by regularly vaccinating.
- Trichinellosis – parasites are caused by nematodes, which can live in the body of a mouse, and when a cat eats its meat, they move on to it. The disease often affects cats that hunt rodents and eat their raw meat. The disease is characterized by damage to muscle fibers. The disease is very difficult to cure, there is no chance of a person becoming infected through contact with a sick animal.
- Toxoplasmosis is a disease that is quite common among felines, which occurs as a result of eating raw mouse meat. The owner can also become infected from the pet. The peculiarity of the disease is that with primary infection it immediately becomes chronic, but without any symptoms. Complications against the background of toxoplasmosis can only occur in people with immunodeficiency states. Toxoplasmosis is especially dangerous for women during pregnancy. The infection leads to the development of defects and anomalies in the fetus that are incompatible with life. If there is a woman expecting a child in the family, it is important to ensure that the domestic cat does not come into contact with street rodents.
- Tularemia – a disease transmitted by mice. A cat can become infected by eating their meat, and a person who comes into contact with an infected representative of the feline world.
- Salmonellosis – an intestinal infection with an acute course and pronounced symptoms. The owner can become infected from an infected pet who ate a mouse infected with salmonella.
- Leptospirosis – cats get this infection from rodents. The disease manifests itself with acute fever.
Apart from the hazardous illnesses mentioned earlier, a cat may contract helminths, lichen, and other disagreeable infections from a rodent. These infections are curable but can cause serious harm to a pet’s health.
Many reviews from owners of summer cottages attest to the fact that their cats hunt mice for years, eat their flesh, and never become ill. Maybe the idea is that because yard cats are accustomed to hunting mice, they have a more robust immune system. Because they have had many years of selective breeding, their immunity is slightly compromised, making them less susceptible to infection from rodents than representatives of other breeds.
Cats that hunt mice and then consume them are also at risk. It’s poison for rodents. People frequently use toxic chemicals intended to kill rodents in their private homes. If a mouse consumes poison and subsequently falls prey to a cat, the poison will enter the animal’s body through the mouse meat and result in a severe state of intoxication. A fatal outcome is not ruled out if the poison was potent or present in large quantities.
How to help an animal with poisoning
Give a petetz a pharmacy sorbent, such as dissolving activated carbon in water and pouring the cat into its mouth, if the cat has consumed a poisoned mouse and exhibits only mild signs of intoxication.
You are unable to assist the animal on your own if the intoxication is severe, symptoms are observed, including frequent vomiting, diarrhea with blood stains in the feces, and indications of liver or kidney failure. In this situation, it is advised that you give a veterinarian an urgent call or bring the cat to a clinic as soon as you can.
Safety rules
You have to take precautions if your pet lives in a private home with mice and a high risk of rodents consuming food. This relates, first and foremost, to vaccinate your pet against a range of infectious diseases that rodents carry. Getting vaccinated ought to be a continuous process. It’s crucial to adhere to the vaccination schedule and take your cat to the vet on a regular basis if you want to protect it.
The use of different chemicals to control mice is covered by the second safety rule. As was already mentioned, a cat can become fatally ill from eating poisoned mouse meat.
It is not permitted to use poison with strong chemical components if a cat actively displays its hunting instinct towards rodents. Setting mousetraps is preferable. You don’t have to worry about your pet’s life or health when using mousetraps, even though they might not be as effective as dispersed poison.
| Observation | Action |
| Your cat catches a mouse | Check for any signs of illness |
| Cat seems interested in hunting | Provide toys to satisfy their hunting instinct |
| Mice are a frequent problem | Consider pest control solutions |
It can be unexpected and even frightening when a cat brings a mouse inside. But this is an instinctive behavior. Since cats are innate hunters, catching mice is one of their basic needs. Even though we might not enjoy it, we must recognize that this is a typical aspect of being a cat.
There are several actions you can take if you’re worried about your cat’s hunting habits. To help your cat fulfill their hunting instincts, make sure they have an abundance of toys and activities. Playing with interactive toys can divert their attention from actually catching mice.
In the end, keep in mind that your cat’s hunting behavior is a natural part of them, even though it’s vital to control it. Your feline friend can remain content and happy without unpleasant surprises around the house if you give them stimulation and respect their instincts.
If your cat has developed a rodent obsession, it’s critical to comprehend the underlying biological drives as well as any possible health hazards. Cats naturally hunt, but even though this is their behavior, it’s important to monitor their health, give them a healthy diet, and think of humane ways to deal with any rodent problems to ensure their safety and well-being. In order to help you keep a healthy balance in your home, this article will walk you through the necessary actions to take when your feline friend brings a mouse home.
