Signs Your Cat May Have Eaten a Mouse
If your cat has eaten a mouse, you may notice some concerning signs in the hours or days after. Here are some of the most common symptoms that could indicate your cat consumed a mouse:
Loss of appetite: After eating a mouse, your cat may lose interest in their normal food. This appetite change could be from an upset stomach or nausea from ingesting the mouse. A decreased appetite can occur shortly after eating the mouse or may be delayed a few days.
Vomiting: It’s common for cats to vomit after eating mice. The bones, fur, and other indigestible parts of a mouse can cause irritation in your cat’s stomach and lead to vomiting. You may see undigested mouse parts in the vomit.
Diarrhea: Some cats develop diarrhea or loose stools after eating mice. This is often from the high bacterial load in the mouse’s body or if the mouse was carrying a disease or parasite.
Lethargy: Lethargy, fatigue or generally seeming unwell can indicate your cat isn’t feeling their best after eating a mouse. The illness, nausea or discomfort can make your cat less energetic.
Stomach pain: Abdominal discomfort, tenderness or sensitivity to touch around the belly may occur after a cat consumes a mouse. Your cat may cry or whine if you touch their stomach. The bones and fur can irritate the digestive tract.
Dangers of Mice to Cats
Unfortunately, while mice and other rodents can seem like a fun play toy to cats, they can pose some serious health risks. According to the Texas A&M University’s Pet Talk, some of the most concerning diseases cats can contract from eating mice include:
- Plague – Caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, plague can be spread to cats through flea bites or direct contact with infected rodents. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Leptospirosis – A bacterial disease that can lead to kidney or liver failure in felines. Rodents are common carriers.
- Hantavirus – Rare but life-threatening viral disease carried by deer mice. Human transmission is also possible.
In addition to transmitting disease, mice may also carry parasites like roundworms, mites, and fleas which can readily spread to cats who eat them, according to the Animal Humane Society. Mice can also bite or scratch while being captured, causing wounds that could potentially become infected.
For all these reasons, it’s best to try and prevent your cats from hunting and consuming wild rodents whenever possible. Be sure to keep your cats up to date on flea/tick and parasite prevention medications. And inspect your cat thoroughly after any potential mouse encounters.
Sources:
Put A “Paws” On Hunting: Keep Your Cat Safe From Rodent-Carried Disease
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/my-cat-just-ate-mouse-should-i-be-worried
Preventing Your Cat from Eating Mice
One of the most effective ways to prevent your cat from eating mice is to keep them indoors, especially overnight when mice are most active. Indoor cats have far less opportunity to hunt and consume prey like mice.
You can also use deterrents around your home to discourage mice from entering in the first place. Motion-activated sprays or ultrasonic devices can scare mice away and make your home less appealing to them. This reduces the chances that your cat will encounter and eat a mouse inside the house.
Limit your cat’s access to areas where mice may be present, like basements, attics, and storage sheds. This can help prevent encounters between your cat and potential prey.
Providing adequate enrichment activities indoors, like puzzle toys and climbing structures, can also help satisfy your cat’s natural hunting urges in safer ways.
While cats have a natural instinct to hunt, keeping them inside and limiting their access to mice and other prey is key to preventing unwanted mouse catching and eating.
What to Do if You Suspect Your Cat Ate a Mouse
If you see your cat with a dead or dying mouse or you find mouse remains that you suspect your cat left behind, the first thing you’ll want to do is call your veterinarian. Even if your cat seems fine, there are some health risks associated with eating mice that warrant a call to the vet.
Be prepared to tell the vet exactly what you saw or found and describe any symptoms you’re noticing in your cat, like vomiting or diarrhea. The vet may recommend bringing your cat in for an exam to check for any signs of illness and to discuss preventative treatment, such as deworming medication.
In the meantime, closely monitor your cat for any signs of illness, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy. If you notice any of these symptoms or anything else unusual, call the vet right away, as illnesses transmitted by mice can progress rapidly in cats.
It’s important not to ignore any potential mouse consumption, even if your cat seems fine. Some symptoms may not manifest right away or could initially be quite subtle. Close monitoring for 48 hours is recommended by veterinarians.
Treating a Cat After Eating a Mouse
If your cat ate a mouse, it’s important to monitor them closely and provide supportive care as needed. There are several things you can do at home to help treat your cat after they’ve consumed a mouse:
Medication – Your vet may prescribe anti-nausea medication like Cerenia to prevent vomiting and help settle your cat’s stomach. Antibiotics may also be prescribed as a precaution against diseases carried by mice.
Fluids – Make sure your cat stays hydrated by giving supplemental fluids at home. Use an oral syringe or mix extra water into wet food. Monitor urine output as well.
Monitoring – Check your cat’s eating, drinking, urinating, and defecating. Note any changes like diarrhea, constipation, or loss of appetite. Also monitor energy levels and watch for signs of pain or discomfort.
Emergency care – Seek emergency vet care immediately if your cat shows signs of rodenticide poisoning like bleeding or bruising. Also go to emergency if your cat stops eating, vomiting persists, or lethargy increases.
With prompt supportive care at home and veterinary treatment if needed, most cats recover fully after eating mice. However, continue monitoring your cat closely for several days after the incident.
Dietary Changes After Eating a Mouse
After your cat eats a mouse, it’s a good idea to make some dietary changes to help soothe their digestive system. Here are some tips:
Give bland food. After eating a mouse, switch your cat to a bland diet for a few days. Boiled chicken or lean white fish are good options. Avoid fatty meats which may be too rich. Feed smaller, more frequent meals rather than large meals.
Avoid fatty foods. Fatty foods like tuna packed in oil can further upset your cat’s stomach after a mouse. Stick to low-fat proteins until their digestion improves.
Ensure hydration. Make sure your cat has constant access to fresh, clean water. Dehydration can occur after vomiting or diarrhea which may follow eating a mouse. Cats with finicky appetites may drink chicken or fish broth.
Gradually reintroduce normal diet. After a few days on a bland diet, slowly mix in your cat’s regular food. Monitor for any digestive upset. Once their stool returns to normal, you can discontinue the bland diet.
Avoid dairy. Dairy products can sometimes cause stomach upset in cats, so avoid milk or cream after a mouse episode.
Follow up with your vet for guidance on any necessary supplements or probiotics to help your cat recover after eating a mouse.
When to Seek Emergency Care
While eating a mouse may not cause immediate harm in most cases, there are certain signs that indicate your cat requires emergency veterinary care. According to the Animal Humane Society, you should seek emergency care if your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms after eating a mouse:
Prolonged vomiting – Vomiting more than 2-3 times after eating a mouse signals a potential obstruction or toxicity issue that requires rapid treatment.
Lethargy or weakness – Being extremely lethargic and weak is a red flag for rodenticide poisoning or infection.
Bloody stool – Blood in the stool could indicate internal lacerations or a tear in the digestive tract that needs emergency surgery.
Difficulty breathing – Labored breathing after eating a mouse may be a sign of lung inflammation or pneumonia from aspiration.
Swelling or hives – Allergic reactions to the mouse manifesting as facial swelling or hives warrants urgent medical care.
Seizures – Seizures after eating a mouse indicate poisoning and the need for immediate decontamination and treatment.
According to the Veterinary Emergency Group, take your cat to emergency vet services immediately if any concerning symptoms develop after eating a mouse. Early treatment for potential toxicity, obstructions, or other complications can be lifesaving.
Preventing Future Mouse Eating
One of the most effective ways to prevent your cat from eating mice in the future is to limit their outdoor access, especially at night when mice are most active. Keeping your cat indoors prevents them from hunting and consuming wild rodents.
You can also use deterrents to help keep mice away from your home and discourage your cat’s predatory instincts. Place natural repellents like peppermint oil, dried peppermint leaves, or mothballs around possible entry points. Traps are another option for controlling the mouse population around your home.
Make sure to provide plenty of stimulation and entertainment for your indoor cat as well. Rotate their toys to spark their interest. Provide scratching posts, cat trees, and window perches for climbing and watching birds. Play interactive games like chasing a laser pointer or fishing rod toy. A mentally and physically engaged cat will be less driven to hunt.
With prevention and deterrents, you can curb your cat’s desire to hunt, while still providing a stimulating indoor environment. Limiting their outdoor access is the most reliable way to stop mice eating in the future.
Understanding Your Cat’s Natural Instincts
Cats are natural-born hunters with strong predatory instincts. Despite being domesticated as pets, they still retain their hunting behaviors and desire to chase prey (Purina). For cats, hunting and killing prey like mice is completely normal.
In the wild, cats are solitary hunters that survive by catching small animals like rodents. They are designed by nature to hunt – with excellent vision, stealth movements, and lightning speed. Their natural instinct is to chase down fast moving prey like mice (Hill’s Pet Nutrition).
So when a cat catches a mouse in the home, it is simply following its innate predatory drives. While concerning for owners, from the cat’s perspective, it has fulfilled its natural role as an effective hunter.
Providing a Healthy Diet for Your Cat
Cats require a well-balanced diet to stay healthy. The best diet for most cats is a high-quality commercial cat food that provides all their nutritional needs. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, cat food should contain high amounts of protein from quality animal sources, moderate fat, and minimal carbohydrates [1]. Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs provide the protein and fat cats need.
While commercial cat food provides balanced nutrition, you can enrich your cat’s diet with small amounts of vegetables and fruits. The PDSA recommends trying cucumber, pumpkin, carrots, broccoli, bananas, strawberries, and melon in moderation [2]. Always introduce new foods slowly.
Avoid overfeeding treats and table scraps. Stick to a regular feeding schedule and pay attention to your cat’s body condition. An active, healthy cat should have a visible waist when viewed from above. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your cat’s diet or health.
