What To Do If Your Cat Catches a Mouse
Staying calm is important if you discover your cat has caught a mouse in your home. While catching mice may seem like a natural behavior for cats, it can be startling and distressing for owners. Here are some tips on what to do next:
If your cat lets go of the mouse and the mouse appears injured but still alive, you may be able to remove it safely using thick gloves or a towel. Be cautious, as mice can still bite when injured. Place it in a box with air holes and contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center or veterinarian for guidance. They can assess the mouse and may be able to treat it or humanely euthanize it if needed (Source).
If the mouse appears to have died, remove it carefully using gloves or a plastic bag over your hand. Seal the dead mouse in a plastic bag and dispose of it securely in an outdoor garbage can. Then thoroughly clean the area where the mouse was caught with dish soap and water to remove all traces such as droppings or blood (Source).
Monitor your cat closely over the next few days for any signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite or vomiting. Contact your veterinarian if you notice anything abnormal. Consuming mice can potentially expose cats to parasites, viruses or toxins.
Why Cats Catch Mice
Cats often catch mice due to their natural hunting instincts. As predators, cats are wired to hunt small prey like mice and derive satisfaction from the process. According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, cats enjoy stalking their prey, wearing them down, and pouncing. A mouse’s erratic, darting movements can trigger a cat’s predatory drive.
Boredom and desire for play may also motivate cats to go after mice. Chasing and catching mice provides mental stimulation and allows cats to indulge their prey drive even when well-fed. Cats seem to take pleasure in the hunt itself more than the end result of catching the mouse.
While cats don’t always eat the mice they catch, the prospect of food can entice them to hunt. Cats are opportunistic hunters and will take advantage of readily available prey like mice in their surroundings. However, food is rarely the primary motivation.
Risks of Mice to Your Cat’s Health
Mice can carry a number of diseases and parasites that may be harmful to cats who hunt and eat them. Some of the main health risks include:
Toxoplasmosis – This parasite can infect cats who eat infected mice. It may cause flu-like symptoms, eye problems, breathing issues, and neurologic problems (Source).
Tapeworms – Cats can get tapeworm by eating mice infected with tapeworm larvae. This may cause digestive issues and visible worm segments around the cat’s anus (Source).
Fleas – Mice may carry fleas which can jump onto cats during hunting and feeding. Flea infestations cause intense itching and skin irritation.
Rat-bite fever – This bacterial disease is rare but can spread through mouse bites and scratches. It causes fever, vomiting, arthritis, and rashes in cats (Source).
The dangers depend on the type of parasite or disease present in the rodent population in your area. It’s a good idea to regularly deworm and vaccinate cats that hunt mice and to contact your vet if they show any symptoms after eating mice.
Risks of Mice to Your Health
Mice can carry and transmit many harmful diseases to humans, even deadly ones like hantavirus, so it’s important to take proper precautions when a mouse infestation occurs in your home. According to the CDC, rats and mice are known carriers of hantavirus, Leptospirosis, salmonella, and other serious diseases https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/wildlife/rodent-control.html. These diseases can spread by direct contact with mice, their droppings, urine, saliva, or bites. Diseases can also be spread indirectly, such as contaiminated surfaces that haven’t been properly disinfected.
One of the most dangerous mouse-related diseases is hantavirus, which has a mortality rate of 38% according to the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/pdf/hps_brochure.pdf. The early symptoms of hantavirus resemble the flu, including fever, muscle aches, headaches, and dizziness. Hantavirus can quickly progress to coughing and shortness of breath as fluid builds up in the lungs. Seeking medical attention immediately is crucial. Leptospirosis is another serious bacterial disease that mice can transmit through urine and contaminated water or soil. Its symptoms include fever, chills, vomiting, and muscle pain. Without treatment it can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure and respiratory distress.
To avoid getting sick, it’s critical to avoid direct contact with mice and to thoroughly sanitize any areas or surfaces potentially contaminated by mice or their droppings using disinfectants or bleach solutions. Calling a professional pest control expert is highly recommended if you have an active mouse problem in your home. With proper precautions, you can protect yourself and your family from the health hazards mice can carry.
Signs of a Mouse Infestation
There are several key signs that indicate a mouse infestation in your home. These include droppings, gnaw marks, nests, strange smells, and sightings.
Mouse droppings are one of the most obvious signs. They are small, pellet-like, and pointed on the ends. You may find them along baseboards, under cabinets, and in drawers or closets where mice are active. According to Orkin, the presence of fresh droppings indicates an active infestation.
You may also notice gnaw marks or teeth tracks on food packaging, furniture, woodwork, drywall, wiring, and other materials. Mice need to constantly gnaw to wear down their continuously growing teeth. The marks may be small scratches or larger holes chewed through materials.
Nests made from shredded paper, fabrics, or other fibrous materials are another sign of mice moving in. You may find these nests built inside walls, under floors, in attics, or in other secluded spots.
A musky “mouse urine” odor is a common indicator of an infestation. Mice urine and oils rub off on surfaces they run across. The smell is unpleasant and can be difficult to eliminate.
Of course, actually sighting mice scurrying by is a sure sign your home has been invaded. They are active at night, so you may see them dart across floors when turning on lights at night.
Mouse Prevention Tips
Here are some tips for preventing mice from entering and inhabiting your home:
Seal any holes or cracks in your home’s foundation, walls, floors, ceilings, and around pipes and wires with caulk, steel wool, copper mesh, or cement. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as 1/4 inch, so be thorough. Inspect inside and outside your home for gaps and fill them.
Keep food sources tidy and sealed. Store any food, including pet food, in airtight containers made of glass, metal, or plastic. Clean up any crumbs or spills right away. Compost food waste securely in covered bins kept away from the house.
Use deterrents such as peppermint oil, regular mouse traps, or electronic ultrasonic repellents. According to The Spruce, mothballs contain naphthalene which deters mice in large quantities but isn’t powerful enough alone.
Safe Mouse Traps and Baits
When dealing with a mouse problem, you’ll want to use humane traps and baits that are safe for pets and children. Humane mouse traps like the Tomahawk Live Mouse Trap capture mice alive so you can release them outside unharmed. Bait stations like the Protecta LP Bait Station also keep bait enclosed and inaccessible to kids and pets.
Look for child and pet-safe baits like natural repellents made from essential oils, dried peppermint, or garlic. Use bait stations and place traps in areas kids and pets can’t access. Check traps frequently so you can release any captured rodents quickly. With the right humane traps and natural bait, you can effectively and safely evict mice without harming your family or pets.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
At some point in dealing with a mouse problem, you may need to call in professional reinforcements. An experienced pest control professional can help in situations where:
- The infestation is severe and mice continue to appear despite your prevention and trapping efforts. A large-scale infestation often requires stronger chemicals and more strategic baiting than a homeowner can provide. Pest control pros have commercial-grade products to eliminate a significant mouse problem.
- Your prevention and trapping efforts have failed. If you’ve sealed up entry points, set out traps, cleaned up food sources, and taken other prevention steps but mice keep appearing, a professional may be needed to fully eradicate the pests.
- You need help locating how and where mice are entering your home. An exterminator will inspect your home to find and seal up all tiny gaps and holes where mice can sneak in. This expertise in locating entry points can be extremely helpful in blocking off access.
Dealing with a mouse invasion on your own can be extremely frustrating and difficult. If you’ve made efforts to no avail, turning to a professional pest control service can provide the reinforcements needed to eliminate mice from your house once and for all. (Source)
How to Sanitize After Mice
Getting rid of mice is only half the battle – you’ll also need to thoroughly sanitize your home to remove any diseases or bacteria they may have spread. Here’s how to clean up after a mouse infestation:
First, put on gloves and protective clothing to avoid touching any mouse feces or urine directly. Then, use a disinfectant or bleach solution to soak any droppings before cleaning. The CDC recommends mixing 1.5 cups bleach in 1 gallon of water [1]. Let the disinfectant sit for 5 minutes before wiping up.
Sweep floors and wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant. Pay special attention to kitchen counters and anywhere food is prepared or stored. Mop tile, vinyl, and wood floors with disinfectant. For carpet, sprinkle baking soda before vacuuming up [2].
Wash any linens, towels, or clothing that may have been exposed to mice in hot water. Take any pots, pans, dishes, or utensils that were potentially contaminated and run them through the dishwasher.
Once everything is clean, thoroughly air out the house to remove any lingering odors from mice. Opening windows works best. You may also set out bowls of vinegar around infested rooms to help absorb odors.
Following proper sanitation procedures after a mouse problem can help protect you and your family from potential diseases carried by mice.
Keeping Your Cat Entertained
Cats are natural hunters, so it’s important to provide mental stimulation and entertainment for them, especially indoor cats. There are several ways to keep your cat engaged and prevent boredom.
Puzzle feeders that make cats “hunt” for their food are a great option. These feeders such as balls, mazes, or boxes provide mental exercise along with delivering food. Rotating different puzzle feeders keeps things interesting for your cat.
Providing scratching posts and surfaces around your home allows cats to exhibit natural scratching behaviors. Scratching also helps cats stretch and mark their territory. Vertical scratching posts as well as horizontal scratching pads give cats options.
Interactive cat toys add physical activity into their day. Wands and fishing pole style toys allow you to play with and stimulate your cat. Automatic toys like balls in tracks or treat dispensers engage cats when you’re not able to directly play with them.
Dedicate at least 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day for active playtime with your cat. Use interactive toys to mimic hunting behaviors and get your cat moving around. This physical and mental stimulation goes a long way in preventing boredom.
By incorporating puzzle feeders, scratching surfaces, interactive toys, and regular playtime, you can keep your indoor cat stimulated and entertained.
