Why Cats Hunt
Cats hunt mice and other small prey due to their natural instincts as predators. According to experts at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, cats enjoy stalking and catching mice because it satisfies their predatory drive for chasing moving objects like mice that try to evade them (https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/behavior-appearance/cats-catching-mice). The research indicates that cats receive mental stimulation and enrichment from hunting mice. Katzen World explains that cats crave the feeling of being on the hunt, and mice represent ideal prey in terms of size and speed (https://katzenworld.co.uk/2020/06/22/why-cats-love-catching-mice/). Overall, hunting mice allows cats to act on their instincts as natural rodent catchers.
In addition to mental enrichment, hunting helps cats fulfill their role as proficient natural pest control. Mice can cause damage and spread disease in homes, so cats satisfy an environmental need by catching these rodents. However, owners should provide their cats with sufficient food and enrichment so they do not have to rely solely on hunting mice for stimulation.
Dangers of Mice
Mice can pose several dangers when they enter homes and other buildings. According to Wil-Kil Pest Control, mice “run through kitchen counters, cabinets and pantry’s, carrying dirt and bacteria with them” (https://www.wil-kil.com/blog/are-small-mice-really-that-dangerous-in-homes/). This allows mice to spread diseases like salmonella, which causes severe stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever in humans (https://www.jcehrlich.com/help-and-advice/pest-insights/mice/are-mice-dangerous).
Mice can also damage property by persistently gnawing and chewing. According to WebMD, mice “can damage appliances, furniture, and even cause electrical fires when they gnaw through wires and insulation” (https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/know-about-house-mice). Their constant need to chew can ruin walls, baseboards, insulation, and more.
Finally, mice can attract other unwanted pests into a home. Their feces and urine create strong odors that can draw in roaches, flies, rats, and other vermin. And mice often create entry points that allow these other pests access into the home.
Is It Safe for Cats to Eat Mice?
Eating raw mice can expose cats to some health risks. According to Veterinary Emergency Group (https://veterinaryemergencygroup.com/blog/my-cat-ate-a-mouse/), mice may carry parasites, viruses, and bacteria that can make cats sick. Some examples include toxoplasmosis, tapeworms, and salmonella. Cats have a high risk of contracting these illnesses if they eat mice raw.
However, thoroughly cooked mice meat is generally safe for cats to eat, according to Untamed (https://www.untamedcatfood.com/blogs/nutrition/do-cats-eat-mice). The high temperatures kill any parasites, viruses, or bacteria that may be present. So while raw mouse meat is risky, cooked mouse meat mitigates that risk.
In summary, raw mice expose cats to parasites, viruses, and bacteria. But cooking mice thoroughly eliminates those risks. So only cooked mice are safe for cats to consume.
Preventing the Behavior
There are several ways to discourage your cat from hunting mice and other small animals:
Provide outdoor enrichment like a catio or enclosed porch area where your cat can experience the outdoors safely. Having an designated outdoor space allows cats to get fresh air and sunlight while preventing them from roaming and hunting.
Increase playtime and provide puzzle toys to satisfy your cat’s natural hunting instincts. Interactive toys that make prey-like movements can allow them to practice pouncing and stalking behaviors in a harmless way. Try to play with your cat for at least 15-20 minutes 2-3 times per day.
Use humane deterrents like citrus smells that cats dislike. You can plant orange trees, lemon grass, or citrus peels around areas you want to discourage your cat from frequenting. Natural scents like lavender and peppermint can also help repel mice and deter your cat’s hunting.
Overall, fulfilling your cat’s needs for exercise, environmental enrichment, and mental stimulation can reduce undesirable hunting behaviors.
Reactive Solutions
If your cat has already caught and killed a mouse, here are some steps to take:
First, block off any access points the mouse may have used to get into your home, such as small holes along walls or under doors. You can use steel wool, copper mesh, cement, or other durable materials to seal these entry points and deter future mice.
Check where your cat caught the mouse. Set humane traps in that area and any other spots mice may frequent. This will allow you to catch and release any other mice outdoors, away from your home and pets. Be sure to use traps designed not to harm the mice.
After handling the dead mouse, wash your hands thoroughly. And schedule a vet visit to discuss parasite prevention for your cat. Mice can transmit parasites and illnesses to cats, so your vet may prescribe preventative medication (1).
Signs of Illness
If your cat eats a mouse, watch for concerning signs of illness in the 24-48 hours after the event. Lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea are common symptoms. According to the Veterinary Emergency Group, you should contact your veterinarian if you notice any signs of distress after your cat eats a mouse. This includes lethargy, pale or white gums, vomiting, diarrhea, or other concerning symptoms.
Vomiting and diarrhea can potentially lead to dehydration, so make sure your cat is drinking water. Look closely at any vomit or stool, as you may see mouse parts or worms passed through. Worms visible in vomit or stool can indicate a parasitic infection was transmitted from the mouse. According to the Animal Humane Society, roundworms are commonly spread to cats via rodents.
Seeking Veterinary Care
If your cat ate a mouse, it’s important to have your veterinarian examine them as soon as possible. The vet will likely do a fecal test to check for any parasites that your cat may have contracted from ingesting the mouse, such as tapeworms or toxoplasmosis [1]. Tapeworm eggs and toxoplasmosis oocysts can be shed in the feces of infected animals, so a fecal test allows the vet to diagnose and treat any parasitic infections.
Your vet may also prescribe preventative deworming medication as a precaution even if the fecal test is negative. Dewormers containing praziquantel are effective at killing tapeworms. The medication typically only needs to be given once, but your vet may recommend follow up doses. It’s important to properly deworm your cat after eating prey to prevent reinfection [2].
In addition, your vet will monitor your cat closely for any signs of secondary rodenticide poisoning, which can occur if the mouse had ingested poison bait. Symptoms generally appear within 3-5 days and include lethargy, loss of appetite, and bruising or bleeding [3]. Your vet can provide treatment to counteract the poisoning if detected early.
Mice-Proofing Your Home
One of the most effective ways to prevent mice from entering your home is to seal any potential entry points. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime, so pay close attention to gaps around pipes, vents, windows and doors. Use steel wool, caulk or expanding foam to plug these openings. You can also install wire mesh over vents and drains to block access.
Make sure you store any pet food or human food in sealed, airtight containers. Mice can chew through plastic bags and cardboard boxes with ease. Transferring items to glass, metal or hard plastic containers will prevent mice from accessing and contaminating your food.
As a last resort, you can set snap traps in areas where you’ve spotted mouse activity. Place traps along baseboards, behind appliances and in dark corners. Use peanut butter as bait to lure mice into the traps for a quick, humane elimination. Just be sure to dispose of the traps promptly once a mouse is caught.
With some diligence in sealing up your home and managing food sources, you can deter mice from taking up residence in your space. Implement preventative measures before you have an established infestation.
Enriching Your Cat’s Environment
Cats are natural hunters, so it’s important to provide enrichment in their environment to engage their prey drive and innate behaviors. Here are some tips for enriching your cat’s indoor space:
Provide climbing spaces like cat trees, shelves, and wall-mounted platforms. Cats love to perch up high and observe their domain. Be sure to place climbing spaces near windows for birdwatching. Adding scratching posts and pads appeals to their scratching instinct. Rotate novel toys like balls, feather wands, treat puzzles, and automated toys to prevent boredom. Hide treats or food around the house for them to “hunt.” Consider adopting a second cat for play and companionship. Cats thrive when they have a feline playmate to interact with (Source). Make time for active play sessions with wand toys or lasers to get your cat running and jumping.
With a stimulating, enriched environment, your cat can exhibit natural behaviors and stay happily occupied inside. This will reduce stress and destructive behaviors like furniture scratching. Don’t underestimate simple, inexpensive solutions like cardboard boxes, paper bags, and ping pong balls when looking for engagement. Work enrichment activities into your cat’s regular routine for optimal benefits.
When to Worry
You should watch your cat closely after they’ve hunted or eaten a mouse. While the occasional mouse is generally not cause for alarm, there are certain signs that indicate the need for veterinary attention:
Loss of appetite or lethargy for over 24 hours could signal gastrointestinal obstruction or toxin ingestion. Cats who aren’t feeling well tend to hide these symptoms, so any noticeable changes in energy level warrant a call to the vet.
No bowel movement for over 48 hours may indicate an intestinal blockage. Mice bones are small but sharp and can pierce or get lodged in the digestive tract. Constipation and straining while trying to defecate are also problematic.
Repeated instances of hunting mice means your cat has easy access. Try mouse-proofing your home and providing enrichment so your cat can satisfy their hunting instinct without putting themselves at risk of parasites or injury.
If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms after eating a mouse, seek veterinary care right away. The sooner the issue is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.
