Would you like to sit back, relax and let the cat do all the pest removal work for you? Do Cats Keep Mice Away?
Are mice really that afraid of cats? How well could a single cat hunt, scare, kill or get rid of a mouse infestation around your property?
In this article, we will explore the options and consider how capable cats are at hunting mice to find out, “Do Cats Keep Mice Away?”
Do Cats Keep Mice Away?
Yes. Cats will be an excellent addition to treating any mice infestation around your home. Cats however, are not the best exterminators of mice. They cannot fit into corners, gaps, voids and crevices where mice are able to sneak through.
This means, you will need other repellents or bait traps set up to eliminate or deter mice from your property. Mice are fearful of cat urine and they will be able to identify the scent of a cat that would scare mice away.
Do Mice Avoid Places With Cats?
Yes. Mice would avoid places where they can identify the odor of a cat. This is because cats can give off chemical aromas that mice are able to detect.
The saliva, urine and fecal matter of a cat can be detected by the sensory organs of mice. They will become fearful and careful of stepping into a territory where these odors have been subtly released.
Are Mice Afraid of Cats?
Cats are able to produce chemical signals that mice are able to detect. Research indicates that mice have the ability to identify specific proteins found in the saliva and urine of cats or rats.
Once they are able to sense that potential threat could be looming nearby, they will look to explore other directions. Mice are afraid of cats and other predators who are usually exploring around their area.
This is why they try to hide or stay active during the night by choosing to avoid crowded spaces where there is activity from humans or other animals.
Should I Get a Cat for Mice?
The smell of cats alone can deter or repel mice. Relying on a cat to control a mouse problem might not be the best solution. This is because mice are able to nest and remain active in locations that a cat cannot reach.
Cats are natural predators to mice and have incredible instincts to be able to find them. Unfortunately, mice can become a bigger problem than you assume.
This is because they can create food storage caches inside cavity walls and throughout your home that your cat may not be able to find. Those foods can rot or decay which invites plenty of bacteria or other insects in these areas.
Mice can also carry:
- fleas
- bedbugs
- ticks
- potentially the hantavirus
You will not want your favorite pets to make contact with such potentially dirty or dangerous pests.
Do Cats Repel Mice?
Cats will repel mice and keep them in hidden locations instead of out in the open. A mouse will feel threatened by sensing the saliva, urine or natural odors of a cat. They will seek to hide in:
- basements
- attics
- inside walls
They can remain hidden and travel through the walls to prevent a cat from catching it. This is why a cat is not the best method to employ for the extermination or prevention of rodents such as mice or rats.
On top of that, these rodents carry parasites, bacteria or illnesses that you would not want your cat to make contact with.
Do Cats Hunt Mice?
Not every cat in your home wants to hunt a mouse. They get used to domesticated life where food is readily available and hunting is of no need. Some cats are even afraid of rodents. Others just don’t care.
Adopting a cat is not your best bet for controlling an infestation of rodents or other types of pests including mice. If you have a cat that loves to hunt, you are able to enjoy the comfort of knowing that certain pests like mice would like to keep their distance.
Unfortunately, your favorite feline friend may bring you a present from time to time. We hope that you can stomach the sight of a dirty, dead mouse in the mouth of your cat and the potential health risks that come with that.
Why Cats Can’t Keep Mice Away
Your cat might be able to hunt down a mouse every season, but how can you be sure that may have caught them all?. Mice can hide in cavity walls and reproduce at rapid rates.
Every 3 to 4 weeks a female mouse can deliver another 4 to 10 mice. These babies can reproduce on their own in 6 weeks after they are born. It will be hard for your cat to keep up with the massive reproduction of mice.
How to Keep Mice Away
If you wish to keep mice away, you will need to make more effort than simply expecting your cat to do all the work for you. You should:
- Seal Cracks & Holes
- Remove Clutter
- Use Noise and Odor repellents
- Professional Extermination
Mice will find their way through openings that are the size of a dime or the thickness of a pencil. They can squeeze and flatten their rib cages to fit in the tiniest openings.
You will have to make sure all cracks and holes are sealed. Containers that contain food should also be tightly sealed and put away. Any clutter provides excellent hiding spaces for a mouse to hide inside or underneath.
If the mouse problem persists, you may end up with a colony that continues to reproduce in massive numbers that you will not be able to eliminate. This is why an inspection from a professional might be in store for you at this point.
Do Cats Hunt Mice at Night?
Yes. While you are comfortably sleeping in your bedroom, your cat can continue to roam around at night and hunt for any rodents such as mice. Cats can remain nocturnal and active throughout the night.
An indoor cat during the nocturnal activity habits of mice around the perimeter of your home cannot help you unless they have a way of accessing the exterior property.
Otherwise, your indoor cat will try to hunt in areas that he or she can reach, but keep in mind, mice are excellent at remaining hidden in spaces that cats cannot reach.
Can a Cat Hear a Mouse?
Cats are adept at being able to hear many types of exterior stimuli. They can hear a mouse squeaking under the ground or a cockroach darting from one side of the room to the other.
Cats have incredible ears. They can locate their next kill with sounds. Cats are playful, cute and intelligent but with sufficient auditory stimulation, you can be assured that they will respond accordingly.
Cats can be trained with sound and will be naturally able to hunt better due to their incredible hearing ability.
What Cat Breed is The Best Mouser?
Certain breeds of cats are better at catching mice than others. We have set up a list below of popular cat varieties that are more than capable of hunting mice:
- The American Shorthair
- Persian
- Siamese
- Manx
- Burmese
- Turkish Angora
- Chartreux
- Siberian
- Maine Coon
- Japanese Bobtail
Keep in mind, certain types of cats lose the killer instinct after they have become very comfortable in your home and are often satiated enough with your daily provided meals.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Does used cat litter keep mice away?
Yes. Using the smell of just your kitty litter alone can become a natural defense mechanism against repelling mice. If you would like, you could borrow some of the kitty litter from your neighbors or friends and spread it around the exterior of your home to see if it will work for you.
2. Does cat pee attract mice?
Yes. The smell of feline urine can keep mice away. There are new studies showing that some rodents are actually drawn to the smell of urine. If a mouse can clearly identify that this urine is coming from a larger predator, it will keep a safe distance from it.
3. How do I make my cat a mouser?
If your cat brings home a dead mouse, you can reward him or her with a treat. You can show more affection to your cat and allow your favorite feline to sit on your lap for about 10 to 15 minutes. Encourage this behavior by giving your cat loving attention along with favorite treats.
4. Do dogs keep mice away?
As an added bonus, we would like to also address whether or not dogs can keep mice away. It is not guaranteed that a dog will be able to hunt or repel mice. Some breeds are able to catch mice while others may not be interested in such a task. Mice will do their best to avoid larger animals, creatures, pets and humans.
Thanks for visiting ThePestManagement.com for the best information to help you to make the pest control process easy, safe & affordable.
