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. Cats play with prey to subdue it before delivering a killing blow, which can be dangerous when hunting rodents.
Why does my cat catch mice but not kill them?
When they do go hunting, many cats don't eat their prey, and sometimes they don't even kill it. Common behavior in indoor-outdoor cats that don't have the opportunity to catch live prey is to torture and play with their catch, trying to prolong the 'event' as much as possible.
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.
Will mice leave if they smell a cat?
Conclusion. Mice can smell cats, but it doesn't mean they'll leave your house once they do. Mice can find other areas to live and breed that your cat doesn't have access to. Cats can't handle a mouse infestation on their own.
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