Do Cats Eat Mice?: Is It Safe For Cats To Eat Mice?

do cats eat mice?

It is a well known stereotype that all cats love mice, and chasing them around all day when they are lucky enough to spot them.

But, do cats actually eat mice and is this really true of all cats?

They do love to chase them for sure, thanks to their hunting instincts and it is a fun activity in their mind to do so.

They do love to eat their catch after they have caught their mouse victim, or at least parts of them.

If your cat has ever brought you a half eaten mouse before, proudly as a tribute, then you will be well aware of how they cat eat whole parts of the mouse while leaving others half eaten and behind.

Poor little mice.

Why Do Cats Like Eating Mice?

There is a very good reason why cats love to chase mice and eat them.

It is hard-wired into them and they are excellent hunters and predators from natures hand. It is who they are and their hunting instincts and predatory nature is very much still present even if they are considered to be domesticated animals.

Even if they look cute and fluffy, they are very capable hunters and can kill small animals by the dozens if nobody is there to stop them.

No more than maybe a century ago, felines were mostly outdoor animals and they were kept around for pest control, since they were so talented at catching small rodents and mice.

It really was a mutually beneficial relationship they developed with humans, who fed them and gave them shelter in return for them keeping rodents and mice at bay.

Cats caught the mice around human settlements, protecting our food, and they then ate the mice they caught.

The whole purpose of hunting the mice was for food, after all.

So, cats like catching mice because of their hunting nature, and they are carnivores and hunters from natures hand.

They catch mice because in the wild they do so to survive, and it was a part of their diet to catch and kill these small animals for food.

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is it safe for cats to eat mice?

Do Cats Eat The Whole Mouse?

Now you may wonder if these dexterous and swift felines actually eat the whole mouse, or leave some parts behind on purpose.

It depends.

They can eat the mouse whole and the entire thing, and especially so if there are any other cats around that may want to steal their food.

If a wild cat caught a mouse, it would make sense for it to try to finish it as quickly as possible to prevent it being stolen from them as food can be hard to come by in the wild.

Domesticated cats, and house cats especially do not always eat a mouse after catching or killing it.

It depends on each cat, their personality and mood, and how hungry they are at the given moment.

A cat may kill a mouse just for sport, and out of instinct without actually intending to eat it afterwards.

Their hunting instinct is so strong that they will feel almost compelled to immediately bolt after a mouse, if they see one running around!

They also seem to just enjoy it in many cases, and do it for fun, even going so far as to play with their food before putting an end to the small life.

It is inevitable for a cat to hunt mice really, and you should not punish him for doing so as it is in his nature and he is not trying to be bad.

Cat’s like to give the “catch” to their humans and caretakers to show their love and appreciation, and they mean no ill intent when they do this, even if you may not really want what they have to offer…

But cats can eat the whole mouse, or leave parts of it behind depending on the circumstances.

Also read: Why do cats knock things over?

Do cats eat mice bones?

Yes they do, and they are very capable of digesting an entire mouse in all it’s glory.

Cats often begin their feast on the mouse’s head and slowly crunch the bones in their jaws.

Just some extra nutrition for them, and they are carnivores which means they need a lot of meat in their diet and a high amount of protein.

black and white cat with mouse. cat with mouse in grass.

Can Cats Get Sick From Eating Rats Or Mice?

Is it safe for cats to eat mice really?

It is best if you try to prevent your cat from eating mice as they can carry many risks within them.

Most cats do eat mice occasionally, and they are fine most of the time but it can be dangerous for them and it is best if cats avoid it all together.

So, while it may not immediately harm your cat, eating mice may give them worms or parasites, and mice also can give felines a “Toxoplasma gondii” infection.

Wild mice can be infected with roundworms and pass them onto your cat easily if they eat them.

You never really know where a mouse has been after all, so it is best if a cat does not eat them.

Cats can get roundworms just from biting into a mouse or eating small parts of it. It does not have to eat the whole mouse or finish it up, it can already be too late and infected with worms just from nibbling at a mouse.

This is the biggest reason to try to keep mice away from a cat’s menu.

Worms and parasites can be very hard to get rid of when a cat has become infected with them.

Mice can also be infected with what is known as “Toxoplasmosis”.

It is a nasty infection that can actually be passed onto humans so you could get sick if your cat has it.

That is a huge risk factor when it comes to wild mice, and any mouse may be infected with it.

There is also the possibility of a cat getting ill from secondary rat poisoning or harmful chemicals that were intended for rodents and mice in the first place.

If a mouse ate something bad or some poison, and then your kitty eats it, it is not a good combination at all.

Mice really have been all over the place, so it is definitely not the best idea for a cat to eat them, even if they do love to catch and play with them.

If you can prevent your cat from eating a mouse, then don’t let them eat it, no matter how proud they look at having caught it.

It is for their own good if you prevent them from eating mice or rats.

You may also enjoy reading: Best window perch for cats.

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Author: Cathour

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