We all know that cats and rats don’t get along. So, if cats hate rats, that should solve a rodent problem quickly, right? They were the reason cats became domesticated in the first place, so it should be a flawless plan!
While studies have shown us that cats have played a big part in population declines and, in some cases, extinctions of certain bird species, and we know that cats are good at catching prey, some research also reveals that cats aren’t as good at catching rats as we assume they would be. Read on to learn why!
Do Cats Instinctively Hunt Rats?
Cats are born with hunting instincts. We know this thanks to studies revealing the decline of rodent and bird populations because of feral and domesticated cats, with cats allegedly killing billions of small animals annually in the United States alone.1 However, their prey drive has not been eliminated by domestication. Cats that hunt today typically do so because of their natural predatory behavior, even when they are not hungry. Many cats don’t even eat their prey after catching it. Playing with captured prey is a common predatory behavior observed in some cats.
Cat mothers in the wild teach their offspring how to eat their food by bringing home their prey that is either injured or dead. This instinct also remains in domesticated cats, but because our pet cats are spayed or neutered and are often raised indoors, their opportunities to learn or practice hunting from their mother may be limited. With that being said, hunting success varies considerably among individual cats, though adult female cats raising kittens are often highly motivated hunters. Experience can also influence hunting proficiency.
Most experts agree that breed, age, sex, temperament, and upbringing all play a role in determining whether a cat is suited for killing rodents.
Cats Actually Aren’t Very Good at Catching Rats
Fordham University conducted a study on rat pheromones in 2017.2 60 rats living in a Brooklyn, New York, recycling center were microchipped and monitored. The experiment caught the attention of the local feral cats, which was unintended, but the team decided to include them in their experiment to see how cats interacted with a known rat colony. They were curious to see if the cats would outright destroy the rat population or if it would be a long-standing game between the two species. The researchers watched and recorded the interaction for 79 days, which provided some illuminating results.
During the 79-day experiment, the rats were mostly ignored by the cats. The researchers recorded only 20 stalking attempts, three kill attempts, and only two successful kills by the cats! These results are pretty surprising and reveal that cats may be less effective at controlling established populations of large rats than many people assume. The researchers noticed that for every additional cat sighting, a rat was 1.19 times more likely to seek refuge, and this could be the reason that cats can help with rat populations.
But why were the cats uninterested in the rats? This contradicts everything humans believe about cats and their role in environmental damage. It’s most likely a matter of size. Rats are significantly bigger than mice, weighing approximately 300–500 grams, whereas a mouse can weigh up to 30 grams. Your poor cat would be in for quite a shock if it were looking for a mouse and came across a rat. The size of a rat is one factor that may discourage some cats from attempting to hunt it. As for feral cats, they are more experienced and have many encounters with animals larger than them, so they understand the challenges of taking on a fight.
Will Rats Stay Away if There Is a Cat Nearby?
Because cats are born with natural hunting instincts, many homeowners use them to catch rodents in their homes and property. However, this can be ineffective for many reasons and may not eliminate a rat infestation. A domesticated feline companion that is well-fed will have very little incentive to hunt and kill a rat.
However, they may deter the rats. Cats mark their territory by rubbing up against something and leaving their scent. Their scent alone may cause some rats to avoid the area, but it is not enough to make all rats disperse and stay away. This also encourages rats to have hiding spots and nesting areas, which cats can’t get into. These spots are usually in the wall of your home, under cupboards or floorboards, or on the roof.
Even if your cat appears to be an avid hunter, it doesn’t mean your home will be rat-free. Rodents are known to reproduce incessantly. A female can have up to seven litters of 5–12 pups per year! As a result, your cat’s one or two successful captures will be ineffective in reducing the rat population.
How to Keep Your Cat Safe While Getting Rid of Rodents
Poisons, chemicals, and traps used in pest control can harm your cat, and pets cannot distinguish between poison and food. Rodent bait is especially dangerous to pets because many rodenticides act as anticoagulants. These products will thin the blood of the rat, causing internal bleeding, and it will affect your cat in the same way.
It’s important to prevent your cats from catching rats and keep them safe while you try to sort out the rodent problem yourself.
- Add a bell to your cat’s collar. The jingle will warn the prey and give it a chance to escape.
- You can keep your cat indoors at night, limiting the opportunity to hunt.
- Do not use rodenticides where your cat may have access to them or to poisoned rodents.
- Avoid using second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as brodifacoum, difethialone, and bromadiolone because of the risk of primary and secondary poisoning in pets and wildlife.
- You can use chemicals like brodifacoum, difethialone, and bromadialone.
- Avoid leaving bait traps out in the open. Find a spot where rats enter your home, and your cat can’t reach.
- Check your bait traps frequently and remove the dead rat immediately.
- Store bait and poison in a locked cupboard.
Conclusion
While we know that felines are talented hunters that frequently take down birds and smaller rodents, some research reveals that cats aren’t as good at catching rats as we assume they would be. Experts suggest that many cats actually avoid hunting these larger rodents, as rats can be quite formidable and capable of causing serious injury. Although your cat’s scent may cause some rats to avoid the area or seek refuge, it is highly unlikely to eliminate a rat infestation on its own. If you have a rodent problem, depending on a feline companion is rarely a flawless plan, and integrated management is usually required to ensure a rat-free home while keeping your pet safe.
See Also:
- Is It Safe to Keep a Pet Rat and a Cat? Facts & Care Tips
- Will Rat Poison Kill My Cat? Vet Approved Safety Guide
Featured Image Credit: JumpStory
Do Cats Instinctively Hunt Rats?
