Cats are fascinating creatures that have co-existed with humans for thousands of years. One of the most common behaviors people observe in cats is their instinct to hunt small prey, especially mice and rats. This leads many cat owners to wonder – what does my cat do with the mice after catching them? Do cats actually eat the mice they catch or is it just for sport? In this article, we will explore the hunting and eating behaviors of cats to find the answer.
Why Do Cats Hunt Mice and Other Small Prey?
Cats are natural born hunters with strong predatory instincts that originate from their wild ancestors. Hunting serves several purposes for cats:
- Food – While domesticated cats don’t need to hunt to survive thanks to being fed by their owners, hunting provides mental stimulation and allows them to indulge their natural instincts. Eating fresh prey provides cats with nutrition from protein, fat, and minerals that may be lacking in commercial cat food. Outdoor and feral cats especially rely on hunting to supplement their diet.
- Instinct – Even if they are not hungry, cats receive psychological satisfaction from stalking, chasing, and catching prey. It allows them to practice skills they would normally need in the wild to survive.
- Entertainment – Catching mice and other small animals provides cats with enrichment, mental stimulation, and physical activity. It relieves boredom and stops curious cats from directing their energy into undesirable or destructive behavior.
So while cats don’t need to hunt mice for survival the way their wild relatives do, the instinct provides natural motivation to engage in the behavior.
Do Cats Eat Mice?
The answer is – sometimes! But cats don’t always consume the mice they catch. Here are some factors that determine what cats do with mice after catching them:
Age of the Cat
Kittens and younger cats are more likely to eat mice than adult cats. Kittens are curious, playful, and developing their hunting skills, so they are inclined to chase, kill, and eat mice. As cats mature, they become more efficient hunters and may be less motivated to eat mice unless they are hungry.
Personality and Prey Drive
Some cats have a stronger natural “prey drive” compared to others. Those with a high prey drive are more likely to hunt frequently and have a strong motivation to catch and kill small prey. These cats are more likely to consume mice than those who rarely hunt or only chase mice occasionally for entertainment.
Hunger Level
A hungry cat is more likely to eat mice than one who has recently eaten. Well-fed house cats who have abundant commercial food available don’t need to eat mice to survive. But feral cats and indoor/outdoor cats with inconsistent food sources are more inclined to consume fresh prey to supplement their diet when hungry.
Taste Preferences
Some cats appear to enjoy consuming mice more than others. After trying it they may develop a taste for mice meat and actively seek to catch and eat mice. Other cats may kill mice but reject them as food, preferring commercial cat food or other types of human food offered by their owners.
Health of the Prey
Cats use their acute sense of smell and taste to determine if prey is safe to eat. Mice may carry parasites, disease, or pesticides which could sicken a cat. Cats tend to avoid eating mice that seem lethargic, ill, or abnormal. A healthy active mouse is more likely to be consumed than one that is obviously diseased.
What Parts of Mice Do Cats Eat?
When cats do eat mice, they don’t consume the entire body. Here are some of the parts cats typically eat:
- Meat – Cats strip the fur off mice and eat the muscle meat which provides protein. Some may eat the ribs as well.
- Organs – Internal organs like the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs are nutrient-dense so cats often consume them.
- Head – The brains provide fat and nutrients. Some cats eat the heads while others leave them behind.
- Stomach – The semi-digested contents of mice stomach’s provide easy access to nutrients. Cats often shake the body to empty the stomach before consuming it.
Cats tend to leave less nutritious parts like the tail, feet, bones, and fur. They may play with these parts for a while before discarding them. Mother cats may bring back partial mice to teach their kittens hunting skills.
Why Do Cats Sometimes Leave Mice Uneaten?
It’s common for owners to find an intact dead mouse their cat caught but didn’t eat. Here are some reasons why cats leave mice behind:
- Not Hungry – Well-fed cats don’t need to eat mice to survive. They may kill them for sport but have no interest in consuming it.
- Spoiled Prey – If the mouse has begun decomposing or smells bad, the cat will reject it.
- Picky Eater – Some cats are finicky and only eat very fresh prey. If the mouse has been dead for a while they may leave it.
- Training – Mother cats bring mice to kittens as practice. The kitten gets to “kill” an already dead mouse and learn hunting skills.
- Gift – Cats consider owners part of their family and share hunting spoils. But owners are unlikely to eat mice!
So while it may seem like a waste, leaving uneaten mice is natural cat behavior. Make sure to promptly dispose of any unwanted gifts to prevent disease and keep your home clean.
Risks of Eating Mice
Although mice provide nutrients, there are some risks cats face from eating wild rodents:
- Parasites – Rodents carry parasitic worms, flukes, and protozoa. Cats can become infested by eating infected mice.
- Diseases – Viruses, bacteria, and fungi in mice can be passed to cats who eat them. Dangers include toxoplasmosis, salmonella, leptospirosis, plague, and more.
- Pesticides – Mice may have consumed poison baits or agricultural chemicals that sicken cats.
- Injuries – Eating mice with sharp bones may cut a cat’s mouth or puncture internal organs.
- Intestinal Blockages – Fur, bones, claws, or teeth can get lodged in a cat’s digestive tract, requiring emergency surgery.
Make sure your cat receives regular deworming and is vaccinated for common diseases spread by mice. See a vet promptly if your cat seems unwell after eating a mouse.
Ways to Reduce Mouse Hunting
If you want to discourage your cat from hunting mice, here are some tips:
- Keep Cats Indoors – Keeping your cat inside eliminates access to prey and protects wildlife.
- Distract with Toys – Provide interactive toys to engage your cat’s hunting instinct without actual mice.
- Feed a Species-Appropriate Diet – A grain-free high protein diet can reduce motivation to hunt.
- Supervise Outdoor Time – Use leashes and outdoor enclosures to restrict unsupervised wandering.
- Limit Access – Block holes where mice enter and use deterrents like cayenne pepper to keep mice away.
- Neuter Your Cat – Unaltered males hunt most frequently. Neutering reduces roaming and aggression.
However, it can be difficult to overcome natural instincts. The most effective strategy is providing acceptable outlets for their hunting needs along with plenty of care and enrichment at home.
Conclusion
Cats do sometimes eat the mice they catch, but there are many factors that determine what they do with their prey. While mice can supplement dietary nutrition, the risks may outweigh benefits for well-fed domesticated cats. Understanding natural hunting behaviors helps owners respond appropriately when cats bring home unwanted “gifts!” With patience and the right techniques, cats can be discouraged from excessive mouse hunting while still enjoying a species-appropriate enriched lifestyle.