Cats are simply hard-wired to pursue things that give good chase. However, cats don't always eat their prey — in fact, this is fairly uncommon for domesticated cats. Rather than for food, the domesticated feline might give chase to rodents for a variety of reasons, including: It's just fun!
Why does my cat catch mice but not kill them?
If your cat caught a mouse but didn't kill it, it means that he is not interested in eating the mouse. A cat's energy levels will be reduced if it spends a lot of time hunting a mouse. Running around attempting to catch the mouse might become a workout for the cat.
Why don't cats eat their prey?
It means your cat cares about your well-being. Studies show cats are responsible for killing billions of animals a year. That's a huge number, but most of those unlucky prey animals are killed out of instinct and not hunger. If your cat doesn't eat their prey, it means you're doing a good job as their caretaker.
Why do cats not eat the whole mouse?
It's unlikely that cats hate whole mice – it's more that they probably never learned how to hunt them or that they don't see the need to eat them. Some cats are also just too lazy to be bothered. (I can't imagine my 15-year-old cat would bother with mice. She doesn't even hunt bugs.
Should I let my cat eat the mouse she caught?
The short answer is yes, and one of the reasons to try and keep your cat from eating mice. Mice can be infected with roundworms, which can in turn infect your cat. Mice also carry Toxoplasma gondii, the agent of Toxoplasmosis.
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