Cats do indeed eat mice, as well as rats, other small mammals, and birds. The act of cats 'playing' with their food is so that they can hone their hunting skills.
Is it safe for a cat to eat a mouse?
Cats are masters at hunting and in the wild they eat their prey to survive. A cat's body is capable of processing meat and bones and often show no ill effects from eating a mouse.
Can a cat get sick from eating a mouse?
It is possible for your cat to contract an illness from eating a mouse. According to the Animal Medical Center, mice can be infected with roundworms, which they can then pass on to your cat. Mice can also carry the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, which can transfer to cats and then transfer to humans via cat poop.
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