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Cats and Rodents – Keep or Immediately Dispose of Their Catch?

Mary Simpson
by Mary Simpson
Published:  January 3rd, 2023

Let’s face it, prey drive in our furry felines runs high. Hence all those squeaky, mouse-shaped playthings we love stashing into their arsenal of toys. I mean, how fun is it to watch your cat chase, pounce, and then carry around her “kill” while making those low, guttural sounds that announce to the world that she’s caught and conquered that annoying fluffy toy?

Sergey Zaykov/Shutterstock

But for those of us with cats that enjoy even a little outdoor time, this game of hunting a make-believe prey can become a little more disturbing when Fifi shows up with an actual dead mouse, bird, or other small creature. The only upside – if you can call it that - is that your pet will typically bring her kill back to her home environment where she feels she can play with or consume it, safely and at her leisure. And that upside we mention is because you can take it away from her.


Yes, while we may think it’s a natural, predatory instinct that’s impossible to discourage in our pets, our well-fed domesticated housecats will do far better health-wise, if they don’t catch and consume rodents. Here’s why.


Parasites and Disease


Mice, rats and other small vermin are renowned carriers of parasites that can be passed along to your cat when they’re allowed to play with or eat their catch. Now, when we say parasites, we’re talking about much more than just fleas. Internal parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms and pinworms can result in vomiting, diarrhea and other serious gastrointestinal issues that won’t resolve themselves. And because mice carry a parasite called Toxoplasma Gondii, your cat can pick up an infection known as Toxoplasmosis that will require your veterinarian’s intervention and some pricey meds.


Toxicity


With today’s composters and bird feeders providing a never-ending source of food for vermin, both rats and mice have now become an issue in both urban and rural areas. Unfortunately, neighbors may choose to use rodenticides to resolve this issue and if your cat happens to consume a live (or already dead) mouse, she too will be exposed to a potentially fatal dose of pesticide. Even slight ingestion of these poisons – such as what she might get from carrying around a dead mouse or rat - can result in seizures, lethargy, loss of coordination and gastrointestinal issues. Plus, a race to emergency for treatment.


Cross Contamination



Because cats will typically bring their kill home, you need to be diligent when it comes to protecting your living space. Even if your cat chooses to play with her dead mouse or rat versus consume it, your floors, carpets and furnishings will now have become exposed to those aforementioned parasites. The moment you notice her playing with something – dead or alive – immediately remove it from your home. Then wash or disinfect any areas known to have been exposed including her bedding, soft furnishings and floors.


And while even domestic cats are fully capable of devouring and digesting an entire mouse, bones and bits can cause choking or blockages that require a visit to your vet.


Steps to Prevent Your Cat from Catching Vermin?


To reduce or eliminate your cat’s tendency to bring home dead rats and mice, the easiest solution is to get rid of the food sources and cozy shelters that are known to attract this type of rodent.


1.    If you compost yard waste and table scraps, be sure to bury any food items well below the top layer of decomposition to help decrease the scent and the understandable draw it can have for vermin. Or, consider using the growing-in-popularity bokashi system that ferments any food scraps to produce an odor that instantly deters rats and mice. Either method can prove effective at keeping rodents at bay.

2.    For those who enjoy a bird feeder, know that rats will eat anything and everything – including the birds. And the spillage and errant seeds from those squirrel- and rodent-proof feeders will still allow vermin to chow down at ground level. So, consider spraying peppermint oil around the base/pole/rim of your feeder. Rats and mice don’t like the smell and it’s about the only scent that will help keep them away. The downside is that it will require diligence and regular treatments.

3.    Another method to discourage rats and mice from raiding compost bins, congregating around bird feeders or seeking shelter in your home or sheds is fox urine. Seriously. I’ve used it to repel red squirrels from using my garden shed as winter storage for their black walnuts. And it works. It’s easy to buy online (though a bit pricey) and it can be sprinkled onto fabric, wood, or other surfaces to warn vermin off and effectively reduce your feline’s ready access to rodents.

4.    Lastly, it may be time to fit a reluctant Fifi with a collar and bell that helps alert critters to her presence. While concerns are often raised about the hazard of a cat becoming snagged or choked when wearing a collar, today’s breakaway collar designs offer a quick-release snap that will release under pressure... which may explain why this type of collar is often sold in six-packs!

And if you’re still seeing your cat show up with dead rodents – or you’re finding them around your property – be sure to have her vet-checked and de-wormed regularly. While she may seem hale and hearty, her propensity for picking up (and spreading) these nasty parasites is infinitely increased. So, keep your pet and your household healthy by taking a proactive approach.

WOW
Mary Simpson
Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Study Finds That Pet Owners Experience Slower Cognitive Decline

Studies have shown that owning a pet can promote physical health in older people, but there isn’t enough research on the impact of dogs, cats, and other pets on cognitive function. As people age, their cognitive functions and memory decline. Although all people experience some level of cognitive decline as they age, some individuals can maintain good cognitive function well into advanced age. In contrast, others experience a sharp cognitive decline early on. Researchers have suggested various strategies to slow cognitive decline, from treating sleep apnea to improving diet and increasing exercise. In a new study, a team of researchers has set to discover whether pets, mainly cats and dogs, may help slow down cognitive decline in seniors.Scientists from the University of Maryland wanted to examine the link between pet ownership and changes in cognitive function of community-dwelling seniors. The goal of this study was to determine whether pet owners experience slower cognitive decline. They also wanted to see if there’s any difference if the pet is a dog or a cat, and whether dog walking might reduce the rate of cognitive decline. The team analyzed data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, the longest-running study of aging in the U.S. Using the data from this study, enabled the research team to analyze the cognitive tests of 637 participants ages between 51 and 101.Of the participants, nearly one-third owned pets, with 11% owning cats and 13% owning dogs. Among dog owners, 69% reported walking their dogs regularly. Results revealed that during 10 years, all participants experienced a decline in cognitive functions as they aged. However, decline was slower in pet owners, compared to non-pet owners. Interestingly, the slower decline was more evident in some but not all tests used to determine cognitive function. Additionally, the results also showed some variations between cat and dog owners. For example, researchers noted that dog owners who walked their dogs regularly experienced even slower cognitive decline than cat owners and dog owners who didn’t walk their pets.This finding showcases just how beneficial walking your pooch can be for your overall health. Owning a dog can increase physical activity, as they need to be taken out for regular walks and daily exercise, which is known to be beneficial for health. “Older adult pet owners experienced less decline in cognitive function as they aged, after considering both their pre-existing health and age,” the study authors said.“Memory, executive function, language function, psychomotor speed, and processing speed deteriorated less over 10 years among pet owners than among non-owners and among dog owners than non-owners.”“Cat owners experienced less deterioration in memory and language function. Dog walking was also associated with slower deterioration in cognitive functioning.”Numerous other studies have shown that pets can provide social support and that interacting with a cat or dog can lower heart rate and blood pressure.This study is important for the scientific understanding of factors linked with cognitive decline. However, this study isn’t without limitations. Firstly, the study doesn’t allow any cause-and-effect conclusions to be made. Secondly, the study sample consisted of people with higher socioeconomic status and above-average cognitive abilities for their age. “Policymakers could use these findings to support the inclusion of pets in care plans, designing housing and neighborhoods for seniors that are friendly for dog walking and developing programs to support pet ownership and care for older adults’ pets while they are temporarily unable to do so,” concluded the authors of the study. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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New Study Searches for the Secret Connection Between ‘Gifted’ Dogs

As dog parents, we all want to believe that our dog is the smartest, most incredible, most amazing dog out there. Right? But there is a select group of dogs whose talent and intelligence stand out above the rest. What makes these dogs so bright? That’s what a new study hopes to understand… Known as “Gifted Word Learner” (GWL) Dogs, these dogs display an impressive vocabulary by learning the names of dozens of their toys, with some learning as many as 125 toys by name! Interested in better understanding this phenomenon and what makes these dogs so naturally gifted, researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary set out to identify any commonalities between these pups. Their recent study, published in Scientific Reports on December 14, included 41 GWL dogs from nine countries: the US, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary. They put out a call for ‘gifted’ dogs, asking owners to complete and submit a self-assessment following their detailed instructions and send the results in a video. Dogs that passed that phase were then given an online vocabulary assessment test to better assess their language skills. The owners were also given a questionnaire to provide a better understanding of each dog’s life experience. “In the questionnaire, we asked the owners about their dog’s life experience, their own experience in raising and training dogs, and about the process by which the dog came to learn the names of his/her toys,” explained Dr. Andrea Sommese, study co-author. Researchers discovered some interesting connections between the GWL dogs using all this information.

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