What cats catch mice and rats
Many owners living in the private sector are specifically looking for mousecatchers. However, identifying them is not always easy. Some rely on genetics. In other words, if the mother was a mousetrap cat, then the kitten will inherit her gift. Another option is breed.
Mousecats are especially needed in private homes
There is no doubt that certain members of the cat family have a greater propensity for catching rats or mice. However, there are other ways to determine which cats are better at catching rats and mice.
How to identify a rat-catcher cat
The first thing you should pay attention to is the color of the animal. Representatives with gray, black, brown, or red skin blend better with nature and, as a result, are more successful hunters. White, unfortunately, in this case, is the most losing.
The second point is education. It is very important how the kitten behaved in childhood. Outdoor games with a bow, a ball, chasing the light of a laser pointer - all this is the preparation and development of hunting instincts.
For your information! Yard cats and female cats are excellent mousecatchers. The point is also that they develop their instincts from childhood. Hunting for them is a way to survive.
An equally interesting question is whether the rat-catcher cat will continue to hunt after castration. The animal's behavior changes after this operation, but this does not mean that it will lose its innate and developed instincts. The only thing you should be careful of in this situation is overfeeding your pet. Such measures often lead to obesity, and, as a result, hunting skills decrease. Therefore, a neutered cat should be given a special diet, so that he will continue to perform the task assigned to him.
Nutrition
There is no need to change anything in your cat’s diet after castration. Everything that the pet liked to eat before the operation should also be given to him after. There should not be any significant weight gain. However, you should be extremely careful and vigilant, avoiding too much fat accumulation. This can happen because the cat will become less active and all the food eaten will simply be deposited in the animal as additional ballast.
If suddenly the cat begins to gain weight after castration, then you should reconsider its menu. If necessary, you should switch to a special food for castrated cats, which balances all the elements necessary for the animal’s full functioning.
Who is better at catching: a cat or a cat?
Jungle cat: options for breed names and animal sizes
The question of who is better at catching mice and rats, a cat or a cat, also often worries owners who are planning to take an animal into the house. You might think that females are better hunters due to their developed maternal instinct. Indeed, a girl must provide food not only for herself, but also for her kittens. In addition, the cat’s genetics is less about hunting and more about procreation. The male must find and fertilize the female, so the hunter's instinct is slightly less developed in him.
Important! If a rat-catcher cat appears in the house, owners should take one point into account. Felines can deal not only with pests (moles, mice, rats, snakes), but also with some poultry, such as ducklings and chickens. In this case, the animal should be raised correctly.
Masking color
Special test
Testing was organized in the 60s of the last century. Its participants were four cats and their children. Two of them belonged to the category of purebred individuals and lived in apartment conditions all their lives. The other two were from a rural yard. The first cubs were conceived from cats from the same category. The offspring of the latter appeared from the neighbors' yard cats.
When the kittens were first born, they were specially replaced. Pedigree mothers were given rural kittens, and village cats were given purebred kittens. All mothers in this test warmly accepted and then raised their babies.
As a result, urban children grew up very playful, but poorly suited for hunting. And the village cats taught purebred children this craft, and they became excellent at catching mice.
It turns out that those cats are better at catching mice that were raised and lived in a certain environment where catching mice is just an everyday practice.
If you need a cat or cat that is excellent at catching mice, you need to ask around the villagers . You can adopt a kitten born and raised on the street.
Even if street cats became pregnant by domestic cats, their cubs still grew up to be excellent hunters.
And domestic cats, which for some reason ended up on the street and got lost, did not get used to catching mice. They either died or fell into good hands.
The main signs of a rat catcher and a mouse catcher
Should you pay attention to the appearance of the animal? Many people believe that rat-catching cats stand out among their relatives. This is both a true and a false opinion.
Metis cat: main options for variety of crossbreeds
Almost every member of the cat family can be made an excellent hunter if its external characteristics meet the requirements. First of all, you should pay attention to the color of the animal. It shouldn't be too bright. The most suitable colors are black, gray, striped.
It is believed that the most suitable huntresses are females with three colors (black, red and gray). There is also an opinion that a good hunter must have large ears and short hair. The latter is a really well-known fact. Among the long-haired rat-catching cats, the following breeds stand out: Turkish Angora, Norwegian Forest, Siberian, Maine Coon. As a rule, a fluffy coat is more of a hindrance to the hunter.
The shape of the head is another thing to pay attention to. Mousecatchers have a triangular head. It is also believed that large ears, especially with tufts, are another striking sign of a good hunter.
A few tips regarding selection, what you should pay attention to when choosing a kitten for hunting rats and mice:
- First of all, it should be remembered that the rat is a very large animal, therefore the hunter himself must be of rather large size. He must have well-developed muscles and skeleton. Powerful jaws are also very important. It should also be remembered that a lazy, immobile cat cannot perform the function of a hunter;
- The breed of rat-catcher cats is of great importance. In this matter, you cannot choose artificially bred representatives. Such selection negatively affects skills and dulls natural instincts;
- picking up an animal from the street does not mean you are guaranteed to get a rat catcher. Most street purrs are abandoned pets. Therefore, no one will give any guarantees;
- The best chance of getting a good hunter is to take a grown baby (3-4 months) from a rat-catcher mother. It's not just a matter of genetic predisposition. In the first months of life, the mother teaches her babies all the necessary skills, coupled with natural instincts. This is why you should give preference to already grown kittens;
- The cat's head should be a triangle. To accurately check, you need to press the animal's ears. Why is this worth paying attention to? This is how the hunter gene manifests itself in nature.
Important! You should remember to take care of your pet hunter. If an animal has been bitten by a rat, it must be taken to a veterinarian to be tested and given injections in case of rabies infection.
What does a triangular muzzle mean?
Popular rat catcher breeds
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As already mentioned, in the matter of choosing an animal for catching rodents, the breed is not the least important. There are a number of felines that are endowed with a strong hunter gene. If we consider purely physical data, they will differ in the above characteristics.
Russian blue
One of the most prominent representatives. The Russian Blue is not one of those who will sit in ambush for hours and watch its prey. She attacks quickly and swiftly, almost always overtaking her target.
Do not be deceived by their affectionate and gentle nature. Representatives of this breed are really gentle towards their owners, they can run after them around the house, tolerate them and even play with children. All this is a manifestation of an aristocratic nature. They are really very affectionate and sociable, they love to make new acquaintances. However, the animal is very capricious. It will not allow itself to be stroked if it does not want to.
Russian Blue has a good upbringing. A cat will rarely allow itself to scratch furniture and wallpaper, or stir up flowers. Representatives of this breed have a good memory. Having learned to hunt once, they will do it constantly.
Russian blue
Siberian rattrap
The rat-catcher cat of the Siberian breed can reach a weight of 9 kg. Females grow up to 6-7 kg. The breed is literally designed to destroy large pests.
Siberian cats have good health, well-developed muscles, powerful paws and an elongated neck. Their thick, long fur has a dark, striped color. These are one of the few long-haired representatives that are excellent hunters.
Siberian cats easily and quickly overtake their prey, and their long claws do not allow it to escape. They are very patient and can stalk their prey for hours, waiting for the best moment.
In relationships with people they prefer to maintain a distance. They are not as trusting and attached to humans as other breeds. The Siberian cat easily gets used to any change of environment, therefore, even if the pet is moved to a private house, it will quickly get used to it there.
Important! The Siberian breed does not require special care. A distinctive feature is that they need regular walks in the fresh air (even in winter).
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a breed that was originally bred to control rodents and other pests. The main advantage is their size. Such dimensions help to fight even the largest enemy. They are fluffy and come in a wide variety of colors. A characteristic feature of this breed are medium-sized straight ears with a tassel at the tip.
Maine Coons have a good memory and are quite intelligent. They willingly make contact with people and are amenable to training. They are not bothered by the presence of a child or other animal in the house.
For your information! The most interesting thing is that Maine Coons can get along with domestic rodents (like hamsters), but at the same time catch pests.
Maine Coons do not like confined spaces; they need freedom, a place to play and run. Therefore, it is best to keep such large animals in a private home. It is also worth remembering the special care that representatives of this breed require.
Awesome Maine Coon cat
Short-tailed Cymric
Cymric is not known for its large size. The main difference is that they almost completely lack a tail. This feature resulted from incest. However, such moments do not prevent Cymrik cats from being the best hunters. Experienced breeders recommend keeping representatives of this breed in spacious premises. This is exactly what a private home is, where they can fully realize their potential and splash out their energy.
Despite the lack of a tail, the Cymrik is distinguished by a very agile body and long llamas. The hunter quickly and easily overtakes his prey.
Note! Cymrik has been a rat catcher since birth.
Cymric
European Shorthair
Representatives of this breed are often confused with yard murziks. According to historical data, the European Shorthair comes from Ancient Rome and even then established itself as an excellent hunter.
Representatives of this type of cat are individual, have aristocratic features and a very independent disposition. They live with people as neighbors and really don’t like it when someone violates their personal space.
The color is silver marbled or gray. They love a lot of space, but can live in a city apartment. Quite unpretentious in care.
Important! They prefer to keep their distance from other animals and children.
Kurilian Bobtail
Representatives of this breed appeared in Russia relatively recently (at the beginning of the 20th century). These animals were brought from the Kuril Islands. Very affectionate and devoted to people. Their character traits are reminiscent of dogs.
Why are they good hunters? Precisely because of his affection. Even as a kitten, the Kurilian Bobtail tries in every possible way to please its beloved owner. Therefore, it is worth preparing for the fact that all the caught prey will be brought home and demonstratively eaten.
The breed is distinguished by a small tail and body, similar in structure to a lynx. The hind legs are longer and more powerful, which allows them to quickly gain speed when chasing prey.
Note! Adults are far from small in size. Males weigh up to 10 kg, and females 6-7 kg. However, the large dimensions will not prevent the hunter from getting prey even from the smallest hole.
Kurilian Bobtail
