Do cats catch mice? Of course, yes, although they are domesticated, they are still predators, and they have the hunter’s instinct. And, despite the variety of traps and devices for catching mice, the cat is still the leader among them.
It is because of this that our ancestors began to domesticate it, and that is why it became a favorite of people. Now the cat is a member of the family. However, the problem of mice infestation in homes is still relevant today. And which breed is best suited for this task, you will learn from this article.
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.
Russian blue cats
These beautiful cats with soft, thick gray fur with blue tints have won the hearts of many people not only with their beauty, but also with their ability to catch mice.
Russian blue cats are strong, hardy, ready to attack even large rodents, not to mention ordinary mice, which, having smelled the scent of a predator, try with all their might to avoid meeting it. Sometimes even big rats are afraid to come out of their holes, so as not to run into this beautiful huntress.
Unlike their expensive cousins, Russian blue cats are quite inexpensive and, in principle, affordable for the middle class, which is why they can be easily purchased to protect your home from all kinds of rodents.
Russian blue cats are excellent hunters
What breed of cat catches mice and rats?
The fame of outbred cats as the terror of rats and mice is well founded. After all, for them hunting is not just entertainment, but a way of survival. Healthy genes, not spoiled by close ties, ensure not only the transmission of hunting talent, but also physical endurance - a mandatory guarantee of victory over the enemy.
If we talk about purebred animals, then when discussing which breeds of cats catch mice, first of all we need to talk about the so-called aboriginal breeds. They naturally formed in a particular territory without the intervention of breeders, that is, they were bred by nature itself with all the ensuing advantages.
Among the “Russians” these are Siberian cats, Russian Blues, and Kuril Bobtails. Of those that have foreign roots, it is worth noting the giants Maine Coons, Orientals, Bengals, Abyssinians, Ocicats, Thais and Siamese, Chartreux, European and British Shorthairs - these cat breeds are also very, very deft at catching mice.
Maine Coons
This cat breed is famous for its huge size and heavy weight. And this is true, because male Maine Coons can weigh up to twenty kilograms and be the size of a small dog.
The age at which kittens begin to hunt depends on the breed. Maine Coon kittens go hunting at the age of six months or more, and throughout their rather long lives they do not forget their duties. Despite their truly royal size, Maine Coons are quite dexterous and agile and are excellent at catching mice. Surely such a giant could catch a rat without any problems. It doesn’t matter to them where you live: in an apartment or in a country house, they will be able to perform their direct duties anywhere.
The only disadvantage of this breed may be the price. Maine Coons are expensive cats, so not everyone can afford one.
Representatives of the Maine Coon breed cope well with the role of hunter
Which cat catches mice better: beauty matters
The appearance of the mousetrap, if you think about it, also matters. After all, the hunter’s color is his camouflage, which should help the animal remain invisible for as long as possible. For our nature, a discreet fur coat would be preferable - gray, black, brown with stripes or spots, or motley, which will easily blend into any landscape.
It is worth paying attention to the length of the fur - long, when wet, its strong smell can “inform” the prey that a predator is approaching. Therefore, it is easier for short-haired cats to hunt in the rain.
And, of course, you need to pay attention to the whiskers, because these are, so to speak, the second eyes for the cat. Thanks to them, she navigates in the dark, estimates the distance to the target, and catches the slightest vibrations in the air. So, in the past, kittens were chosen based on their rich whiskers for good reason - this is both benefit and beauty in one bottle.
Sphinxes
Sphynxes, like Scottish Folds, are completely unsuited to catching mice. This is explained by many aspects of a cat's life.
- Firstly, everyone knows that sphinxes have no fur, they are completely naked. And because of this, many owners do not let their pets go outside or even under the sofa, because it is easy for them to get hurt or damage their skin by picking up some kind of infection.
- Secondly, nutrition plays the most important role in the life of the Sphinx. It should be balanced and healthy. Cats by nature want to eat a mouse, since it is fair-caught prey, but a sphinx is strictly forbidden to eat such a thing. The mouse could be sick or old, and if you eat one, you can get poisoned.
- Thirdly, the environment in which the cat is located is also important for this breed. In cold weather, it is better for sphinxes not to sit on the floor, as they may catch a cold. And hunting involves long-term surveillance of your prey and sitting in ambush. In hot weather, on the contrary, the Sphynx may get sunburned or simply become ill from overheating.
Such cats are needed for beauty and home comfort, but not for catching mice.
Sphinxes are completely unsuited to catching mice
Kurilian Bobtail
Domestic Kuril Bobtails can sometimes surpass even a dog in their hunting and guarding skills. Although these small cats with small fluffy tails are not as massive as May Coons, they are very strong and brave.
This breed catches mice very well; even a kitten in the house will be enough to drive away all the unwanted little pests. Yes, and if another cat suddenly wanders into your area, the Kurilian Bobtail will drive him away.
But, as in the case of fold ears and Maine Coons, bobtails of any breed, be it Japanese, American, or Kuril, are very expensive, and not everyone can have one. Moreover, he needs care appropriate to his breed.
The Kurilian Bobtail is good at catching rodents
Appearance of the ratcatcher cat
It is believed that a mousecatcher cat must have a special appearance. Which pet rat catchers catch mice better than others can be determined by their appearance.
Such pets should have long whiskers. The best hunters have a special camouflage color - black, gray, red, with faint stripes or spots. White animals will be more noticeable, which means their camouflage may fail them at the most crucial moment. It has long been believed that the tricolored female is the ideal rat catcher. Cats with this color simply do not exist.
The coat should be short. It is believed that short-haired animals are the best rat catchers. Of the long-haired breeds, only a few breeds are distinguished, for example, the Turkish Angora or the Norwegian Forest breed. Long hair interferes with successful hunting. However, you can find an excellent rat catcher among long-haired purebred animals.
The rat catcher has a triangular shaped head. You can tell that a cat is a rat catcher by pressing its ears to the base of its skull. It is also noted that the presence of large ears, especially with tassels, is an important sign of a rat catcher.
There are no perfect rodent hunters, just as there are no cats that do not hunt at all. All cats are rat catchers and catch rodents. It is worth noting that some representatives of the breed can exterminate mice better than others.
Nibelung
Cats with blue blood. A rare species of domestic cat with a difficult character. The Nibelungs are proud and capricious; they will not allow a person to approach them until they can be sure of him, and even if they give the go-ahead, it will be forever.
Despite their royal English origin, Nibelungs do an excellent job of acting as mousetraps and catching rodents that have entered the house.
However, such cats require proper care, because their fur is thick and long, which means it needs to be combed constantly. And if you let such a cat go, she will definitely never forget it and may even leave such an ungrateful and lazy owner. It is very risky to have one at home, but if you decide to do it, then its hunting skills will more than cover its character.
Be sure to get rid of rodents, as they can infect you with dangerous diseases.
Nibelungs also readily catch mice
Exotic cat. Character of an exotic cat
The appearance of these animals is in harmony with their character. Friendliness, playfulness and curiosity are their hallmarks. Exotics are suitable for both families with small children and single people. They become strongly attached to their owner, but show love delicately, so they cannot be called intrusive. The pet will wait until you are free, settle on your lap and dissolve in your arms.
Exotic cat red marble
The exotic cat has good adaptive qualities. In a new place, the kitten gets used to it in a couple of days. The main thing is to let him look around, smell everything and show the new family member that he is welcome here. These animals subtly sense a person’s mood. If it's a difficult day, the cat will try to relieve stress, calm and cheer up the owner. Let her lie next to you for a while and you will feel relieved.
Despite their apparent clumsiness, exotics are very mobile. They love to run after a ball, hunt for an interactive mouse, or catch a paper ball in flight. One of their favorite pastimes is playing with their tail. You can often catch your pet looking at himself in the mirror. Touching your reflection with your paw and leaning your nose against it gives exotics great pleasure.
Attention! Exotic cats have a well-developed hunting instinct. It is not recommended to keep them together with small rodents or birds.
Exotics get along well with small children; aggression is not typical for them. If the baby accidentally hurts the pet, he is not in any danger - the cat will retire to a safe place. Animals behave cautiously around strangers. The degree of their trust in new faces grows gradually. Let the guests who came to the house for the first time not be offended that the cat did not allow himself to be petted. Perhaps during the next visit they will be allowed to do so.
Black marble color
An exotic is a cat that becomes strongly attached to a person. She cannot be left alone for long. Separation from family members can result in illness. When going on a trip, take your pet with you. Snub-nosed beauties easily get along with dogs, but sometimes they get jealous if they lack attention.
