Rather than for food, the domesticated feline might give chase to rodents for a variety of reasons, including: It's just fun! Cats love indulging their hunting instincts on a regular basis. It's good exercise, and it keeps them alert.
Do cats kill mice or just play with them?
To own a cat is to accept feline instinct. As cats are born hunters, they often kill live prey such as mice or birds. Before killing a small animal, a cat will seemingly play with it first. While this looks cruel, the cat is acting in self-preservation rather than malice.
Do cats instinctively kill mice?
In fact, most domesticated cats don't want much to do with mice and rats. They might chase and toy with one until it gets away or dies, but unlike their wild feline cousins, they're not really driven by an instinct to hunt and kill them.
Why do cats kill mice but not eat them?
If they made a successful kill but weren't quite ready to eat, they'd usually hide their kill hoping they could come back to it later. This opportunistic behavior is still present in cats today. The difference is, few house cats get hungry enough to resort to the hard work involved with eating a dead animal.
Will mice Stay away if you have cats?
Will mice stay away if you have cats? If they're smart, yes. Mice know cats are in your home because they can smell their predators. The mere whiff of cat urine and litter is often enough to scare the mice away.
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