What breed of cat is best at catching mice?

When it comes to catching mice, no innovative device can compare with a smart house cat. Fluffy pets have won the love of humans thanks to their ability to destroy rodents. Today, breeders keep cats for the hobby, so pets usually lead a passive lifestyle. For people living in rural areas and having a subsidiary farm, it is important that the cat knows how to catch mice and rats. Rodents periodically appear in every country house and are capable of destroying food and causing diseases. Which cats are better at catching mice, and which breeds are not suitable for hunting?

The role of living conditions

The hunting instinct is present in cats, regardless of variety and gender. To test your skill, you need to scratch your finger across the floor and observe the pet’s behavior. The faster the animal reacts to the sound, the stronger the hunting instinct is. If the cat immediately rushes to the hand, it will be good at catching mice.

Pets living in an apartment and not walking in the yard can catch a mouse, but they will not kill or eat the pest. Animals with the appropriate instinct feed on mice, which can only be taught to a kitten by a mother mousetrap. Animals that grew up in villages or on the street are better at catching rodents, because from childhood they know what a mouse is and how to behave with it. For outdoor cats, hunting is the main way of obtaining food.

Why does a cat bring prey to its owner?

Many cats bring their trophies to their owner, sometimes even to bed. There is no point in scolding them for this - this is how they express their love and affection. A corpse found on a pillow is not the most pleasant picture, but the pet that brought you the trophy still needs to be praised and rewarded. A negative reaction or lack thereof can discourage hunting.

Regardless of the breed of rat catcher you choose, be sure to vaccinate it against rabies. This will protect it from death if infected.

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The importance of a pet's appearance

Success in catching rodents depends on the conditions in which the kitten grew up and the appearance of the animal. Color plays a significant role, serving as natural camouflage. The most preferred are discreet fur coat colors: gray, black, brown. A cat with a motley or tortoiseshell color will blend into the surrounding landscape. The second significant point is the length of the coat. When wet, the long fur acquires a specific odor, which serves as a signal for rodents that a predator is approaching. Therefore, short-haired cats find it easier to hunt in the rain.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW! When choosing a ratcatcher kitten, you need to pay attention to the whiskers . Thanks to the vibrissae, the pet navigates in the dark, picks up air vibrations, and estimates the distance to the mouse.

By what signs can you recognize a rat catcher?

A mousetrap cat is not a breed, but a rare skill that a pet develops due to the conditions of its keeping and upbringing. The best hunters are considered to be mongrel cats, who have had to hunt mice for food since childhood. Street animals are not spoiled by the attention and care of the owner, so the hunting instinct develops and is preserved for a maximum period.

The following signs will help you recognize a future rat catcher in a kitten:

if one of the parents is good at catching mice, by four months the skill will be transferred to the kitten;
female. Cats catch mice better than cats, which is associated with increased activity and fearlessness. To feed her offspring, the mother cat will get food in any way, so her hunting instinct is heightened;
head shape. Animals with a triangular oriental skull shape have greater potential for catching rats;
activity in the game. If a kitten runs after ribbons, toy mice and catches them with his teeth, he will make a good hunter;
physiological characteristics. The pet must be well built, have developed muscles, strong bones;
high ears with tassels. Allow the pet to track rustles and squeaks, which increases the likelihood of finding a target;
color feature. It is believed that the best hunters are tri-colored, tortoiseshell, and motley cats.

Cat or cat: who is the better hunter?

If we talk about the gender of mousecatchers, it still seems more reasonable to give the palm to the cat. In cats, the sexual instinct comes first, and if the animal is not castrated, the mustachioed cat can be distracted by “love” all year round, neglecting his hunting duties. We have all seen how skinny and tattered the tailed gentlemen return from their sexual adventures - it is obvious that they had no time for mice.

In cats, the estrus period is usually not long. And, raising kittens, as we said above, they hunt with double zeal and teach their offspring to do so. That is, they have double motivation. And female creatures usually have more persistence and diligence.

Can neutered cats catch mice?

It is believed that spaying and castration does not affect the hunting skill of a pet. In practice, things are different. Such operations often have a negative impact on the animal’s behavior and physiological state. If you castrate a cat, the animal becomes lazy and passive, sleeps for a long time, not interested in what is happening around. Also, after castration, cats gain excess weight, which interferes with successful hunting. To ensure that the rat catcher does not lose his skills, after the operation the animal must be fed with suitable dietary food and stimulated to be active.

Is it true that castrated animals hunt worse?

Castration changes natural hormonal levels. Along with the loss of reproductive function, the animal is deprived of its usual activity. Metabolism slows down, and eating the usual amounts of food leads to sudden weight gain and obesity.

Along with extra pounds comes laziness and passivity. It becomes very difficult for a fat cat to move, so along with the love of games, the passion for hunting fades away.

Thus, castration does affect the hunting instinct, but not directly, but through excess weight. As long as you maintain your original fitness level, monitor your daily calorie intake, and encourage physical activity, your ability to hunt rodents will continue.

Nutrition question

An animal that regularly hunts mice needs to be properly fed. The physical condition, strength, and endurance of the pet depend on the nutritional characteristics. Domestic cats rarely eat prey; more often they simply strangle the mouse. Only a street or hungry cat can eat a rodent.

The animal can be fed natural food or industrial feed. The main thing is that the pet eats suitable and healthy food that suppresses hunger, saturates the body with vitamins and minerals, and strengthens the animal’s immune system.

ON A NOTE! Most domestic cats catch mice for fun, but do not eat rodents.

Heredity and upbringing

Numerous studies prove that a kitten's hunting abilities are influenced not only by heredity, but also by upbringing. If the baby had free access to prey, and his mother taught him to catch mice, then he will become a good hunter, regardless of breed or lack thereof. Of course, if you add to this the need to get your own food, your abilities will develop even better.

Good heredity

And yet heredity is very important in the formation of real mousecatchers. If all ancestors caught mice, then most likely this skill will pass on to kittens. But the most important role is played by the mother, she is the one who helps babies develop the hunting instinct, turning it into a skill. The mousetrap cat begins to train kittens from an early age, and they adopt all her experience by about 4-5 months. So before this age you should not take the baby away from its mother.

How to raise and teach a cat to catch mice?

The future mouse catcher's hunting skills need to be developed from early childhood. Usually the mother does this. It all starts with the cat catching a live mouse and bringing it to the kids. Later, the kittens begin to hunt on their own, first under the supervision of their mother, then alone.

But you can try to teach your kitten to catch mice yourself. To do this, use active games, special toys, or another effective option - walks, during which the kitten can catch frogs, beetles or butterflies. Every time the baby catches prey, he should be praised.

It is very important to remember that you cannot force a cat to catch mice by starving it. The animal will weaken, become lethargic and will no longer have the time to hunt. There is a high probability that the cat will begin to climb through garbage dumps in search of food. But it is important not to overfeed the cat so that he remains active.

Production

If a cat has the makings, and the training has borne fruit, then pretty soon you can see your pet eating its first mouse.

Why do cats bring caught mice to their owners?

An interesting point is that a cat does not always eat caught mice. For many mustachios, the hunting process is much more important and interesting, and they prefer to eat their usual food. Quite often, strangled or slightly chewed rodents end up on the windowsill, on the threshold, or even by the bed of their beloved owners. There are several explanations for the fact that the cat did not eat the mouse, but brought it to the person:

Many cats perceive people as clumsy creatures who lack even the most necessary skills. By bringing us prey, the pet shows concern so that its human does not die of hunger.
The cat is proud of itself, hopes for recognition and praise, or wants to please its owner.
The animal stores food for the future and believes that food will be safer in the house.

In any case, the appearance of a dead mouse in the house should be taken calmly, and the cat should be praised and thanked. You can throw away a gift only when the pet does not see it, otherwise resentment on his part cannot be avoided.

Who is better at catching mice - a cat or a cat?

Both male and female cats catch and eat mice. But females are considered the best hunters. They have a more developed hunting instinct, while males are more focused on finding a partner and procreation. A cat needs to provide food not only for itself, but also for its offspring.

A fairly popular question is which cats are better at catching mice - neutered or not. Castration does not affect the hunting instinct in any way, but as practice shows, it often affects the animal’s lifestyle. The cat becomes lazy and avoids any active actions, which naturally negatively affects his hunting abilities. Interestingly, the habits of a sterilized female usually do not change.

Suitable breeds

The best mousecatchers are native cat breeds that appeared naturally and have not undergone significant transformation. Compared to artificially bred ones, hunting skills in such breeds have been developed over centuries, which has given the corresponding result.

Maine Coon

Maine Coon

Maine Coon cats are the best hunters of mice and rats. Maine Coons are distinguished by their large size and strength, which does not prevent them from gracefully jumping and chasing prey in hard-to-reach places. Maine Coons are gambling animals. A cat can chase a rat for hours, ignoring heat, cold, and rain. Thanks to its thick coat, the animal feels comfortable in the cold and can spend a long time outdoors. Large body sizes make it possible to destroy large rodents, which repel smaller rat catchers. Maine Coons prefer to spend time in the yard; country life is an ideal option for them.

Russian blue

Due to its compact size and aristocratic appearance, village house owners doubt the hunting skills of the Russian Blue cat. The lack of heavy weight is compensated by a quick reaction and the ability to move quietly around the yard. The Russian Blue cat tracks rodents of any size, which serves as the main entertainment for the pet. The cat's movements are graceful and precise, the speed of movement is amazing. The owners of Russian blue cats confirm that they hear any rustle and leave no chance for the mice to survive.

How to get rid of mice and rats? 8 breeds of rat-catching cats that will find and neutralize rodents

For most of us, cats are the embodiment of home comfort, tranquility and laziness. Few people would think that these charming couch potatoes can bring tangible benefits. And yet it is so. Today we will talk about rat-catching cats that can clean the house and surrounding area from mice and rats

Despite the fact that all cats are predators, not everyone can become a good rat catcher. The rodent hunter must have strong bones, well-developed muscles, long, dexterous paws and (optional) striped or tri-colored coloring that will provide good camouflage.

Gender matters too. Ratcatching cats are very rare; cats usually hunt rodents. They are driven by maternal instinct, or more precisely, by the need to feed and protect their offspring.

If a cat actively catches mice and rats, she will teach her cubs to do the same. Therefore, they should not be separated from their mother earlier than 4-5 months after birth.

Since domestic cats have been living with humans for hundreds of years, they have no urgent need to get their own food. Therefore, in many ornamental varieties, hunting instincts have been lost. On the other hand, there are many breeds that were and remain excellent predators and in which the hunter gene is highly developed.

European shorthair cat

Small smooth-haired animals of gray striped, spotted or marbled color are considered to be outbred. But these “plebeians” caught rats and mice back in Ancient Rome. The European Shorthair cat is a strong, agile and intelligent animal. She loves and knows how to hunt, and at the same time has good contact with people. However, if you pick up a mongrel kitten on the street, you shouldn’t hope that it will start exterminating rats left and right. As a rule, private breeders or nurseries are engaged in breeding really high-quality rat-catcher cats, and often there is a queue for offspring almost a year in advance. If you want such a cat, look for trusted breeders with recommendations, but remember that it takes 4-5 months for a mother to teach her cub predator skills, so you should give preference to older kittens.

Ratcatcher cats can catch rats, mice, snakes and moles equally well, but they will also calmly deal with domestic animals - ducklings or chickens. Therefore, it is important to raise the animal correctly from the very beginning.

Siamese cat

Another hunting breed with a long history. The first mentions of blue-eyed beauties date back to the 13th century. They come from the kingdom of Siam. Smooth-haired, lean animals are distinguished by excellent reactions and the ability to show aggression when necessary. Siamese get along well with people, but have a rather independent disposition. Their small size does not allow these cats to hunt rats effectively, but they do an excellent job with mice. The instinct is transmitted at the genetic level and strengthened in kittens by their mother.

The rat is a fairly large rodent, and therefore the hunter should not be small. It is necessary that she has well-developed muscles, skeleton and jaws, and a stable psyche. If she hides or runs away from any loud sound, the cat will no longer be able to become a good rat catcher.

Maine Coon

These luxurious, large (weighing up to 15 kg) cats come from America, more precisely the state of Maine. They were specially bred to exterminate mice and rats on farms and ships. Despite their impressive size, Maine Coons are agile and agile. Large ears provide them with excellent hearing, and strong paws provide them with a good grip.

Thick, long hair allows the Maine Coon to live in harsh climates. But it also creates problems for the owners. The fact is that these cats need to be brushed regularly. If you leave the animal to its own devices, the magnificent fur will quickly become tangled and no longer protect against the cold.

The disadvantages of Maine Coons include gluttony (which should not be surprising, given their size) and independent character. These natural hunters are not particularly interested in constant human contact. They shy away from petting that they consider inappropriate, and if the owner is too intrusive, they can get angry and bite.

Ratcatcher cats need regular, long walks to stay in good physical shape.

Russian blue cat

This is a real aristocrat among rat catchers. Russian blue cats were kept at court by many royals, for example, Peter I and Catherine II. Centuries later, these graceful, smooth-haired animals remain excellent hunters. They can handle not only mice, but also rats weighing up to 0.5 kg!

It is worth noting that Russian Blue cats do not get along well with representatives of other breeds, but get along well with their own. Like many other predators, they are not particularly susceptible to affection, but at the same time they treat people with sympathy and rarely show aggression.

Please note - a lazy, barely mobile cat cannot become a good rat catcher.

Kurilian Bobtail

Bobtails are quite large animals, capable of rivaling Maine Coons in size. The weight of a cat can reach 10 kg, and that of a cat - 6 kg. The homeland of this breed is the Kuril Islands. Difficult living conditions raised them to be brave and strong hunters. They have a short tail and strong legs, providing excellent jumping ability. Bobtails cope with both mice and large rats.

Among other breeds, the bobtail is distinguished by its sociability and easy-going character. They readily make contact with humans, are easy to train and get along well with other animals, including large dogs. This makes them similar to another “tailless” cat - the Manx cat

, which also has a friendly disposition combined with excellent hunting skills.

Kurilian Bobtail

Manx cat

Cymric

These are medium-sized cats, also without a tail. They have long, tenacious legs that allow them to catch up with prey and grab it with a death grip. They have a strong skeleton with athletically developed muscles. Cymrics are sociable and active, and it is very important for them to spend a lot of time outdoors. It is not worth keeping such a mobile animal in an apartment - during games it will destroy everything around. Experienced breeders recommend keeping these cats in country houses.

Siberian cat

Siberian cat
This breed appeared in Siberia several centuries ago. Harsh winters forced these large cats, weighing up to 9 kg, to grow thick, long hair and learn to get enough food for themselves to survive. The Siberian cat is an excellent hunter, killing both mice and rats. She easily and quickly overtakes her prey, and her long claws do not allow her to escape. Cats are patient and can stalk their prey for hours, waiting for the best moment. The animal loves to spend time outdoors, so it is better in the house than in the apartment. It is not aggressive, but it treats people rather indifferently. Siberian is a cat that walks on its own.

British shorthair cat

British cats combine developed hunting instincts, friendliness and calmness. The weight of the animal rarely exceeds 4 kg, so it is difficult for it to fight with a rat. But the British do an excellent job with mice. And they often bring them home as a gift to the owner. You shouldn’t be angry about this, because this is how the cat shows care. From her point of view, a person is a helpless creature, unable to provide food for himself.

Of course, choosing a kitten from this list does not mean that an excellent rat catcher will appear in the house. Heredity is of great importance. Let's repeat - if a mother cat is a good hunter, most likely her kittens will be the same. A clue as to whether a kitten will catch mice and rats can be its behavior. If during play he grabs the “prey” with his teeth, and not just grabs it with his paws, most likely he has a tendency to hunt.

You need to play active games with the growing animal, let it go for walks around the area as often as possible and reward it for every prey, even if it is not a mouse or rat, but an insect. At the same time, it is impossible to starve an animal by pushing it to obtain food on its own. The cat will look for food, scouring garbage dumps, or even leave altogether in search of a better life. You need to feed the rat catcher 4-6 times a day, in small portions.

It is extremely important to regularly give your cat all necessary vaccinations, and first of all - against rabies. After all, during a hunt, a pet can pick up a dangerous infection from a rodent. And of course, if traces of scratches or bites are found on your pet’s body, you should immediately contact a veterinarian

Other breeds

As a hunter for a private home, you can purchase the following breed of cats:

European Shorthair. Smart, active and inquisitive pets, distinguished by courage and bravery. The European Shorthair cat adapts to any weather conditions and is distinguished by its affectionate behavior. In the fight against rodents, animals have proven themselves to be ruthless killers.
European tabby. The color of the animal is similar to that of a tiger. Tabbies are distinguished by their strong structure and muscularity, have a strong, large head, sharp teeth and claws. The hunting instinct is inherent from birth, so they grow up to be excellent mousecatchers.
Turkish Angora. Cats of this breed have snow-white fur and blue eyes. Despite its defenseless appearance, the Turkish Angora tends to live in the yard and lead an active life. Thanks to fearlessness and curiosity, the pet effectively catches mice.

Scottish Fold

These beautiful cats are very beautiful, with an ash color and short, flat ears. However, no matter how sad it may sound, these animals are completely unsuited to catching mice.

And the point is not that they are lazy, they just have a very poorly developed hunter instinct . The Scottish Fold is not a cheap breed, and wealthy people can afford it. And it’s unlikely that they buy a cat for a lot of money purely for catching. She is treated like a member of the family.

The question of whether cats catch mice better than cats does not apply to Scottish Folds either. They are equally unwilling to do this, and rarely can this breed afford to get up from its bed and go hunting.

Scottish Fold cats don't like to catch mice.

How to teach a cat to catch mice?

Mousecatchers are found among purebred and outbred cats. In order not to make a mistake, it is recommended to figure out in advance what criteria to choose a kitten by. Attention is paid not to the physical structure, color or breed, but to the parents. If the father or mother is good at catching mice, they will teach the kitten the skill. Therefore, you should first ask the owners how good hunters the parents were. A reasonable option is to go to the nearest village to pick up the kitten. Animals growing outside chase flies, butterflies and other insects, which develops the hunting instinct.

It is difficult to teach a domestic cat to hunt; the instinct must be developed from childhood. The owner needs to purchase appropriate toys, lined with fur, and constantly tease the kitten so that he runs after them. You should develop your pet's agility, reaction speed, coordination and endurance. To attract your pet's attention, the toy can be soaked in a decoction of catnip. As an alternative, you can catch the mouse and show the rodent to your pet. The kitten will interest her. You can only remove a mouse when the animal has had enough of playing with the pest and strangled it.

FACT! To teach a domestic cat to hunt, many owners limit their diet, which serves as an incentive to catch mice.

Hunting instinct in cats

All representatives of the cat family are predators. This applies not only to tigers, lions and pumas, but also to cute pets. For the distant ancestors of modern cats, hunting rodents and small birds was the main way to get food for themselves and their cubs. Over the course of many centuries, the predatory habits of cats have been improved, and a hunting instinct has formed.

Hunting instinct

It is he who guides domestic or yard cats when they catch rats and mice. Of course, in pampered pets, provided with the best food, the hunting instinct has somewhat dulled, unlike cats living on the street and forced to get their own food, but still it is the hunting instinct that makes a small kitten catch a bow or run after a toy.

Recommendations

A hunting cat spends a lot of time outdoors, in contact with other animals, which increases the likelihood of infection and the development of diseases. To protect your pet from diseases, you need to remember the following rules:

the cat must be periodically vaccinated against potential diseases;
the pet needs to be fully fed and fortified with vitamin supplements, which will strengthen the immune system;
every 5 months, clean your pet of worms for the purpose of prevention;
the animal needs to buy a flea collar that prevents the spread of parasites;
in early spring, before a walk, it is recommended to treat your pet’s fur with protective sprays, since in May the likelihood of insect attacks increases.

For preventative purposes, you can take your cat to the veterinarian for examination once every six months.