How to stop my cat from hunting tiny rats and eating them?

1. 58

   K Kissposted 12 years ago

   How to stop my cat from hunting tiny rats and eating them?
   
   We live on the ground floor with lots of land both at the front and the back of the house. After the sun sets in the evening, the rats get out. Now that my cat is a mother to 3 kittens, she has become rather protective. So lately she started hunting these rats down. Today was the second time this happened. I can't get rid of the rats entirely from my land but I do want my cat to stop eating these rats.

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2. 0

   icountthetimesposted 12 years ago

   It's very difficult to curb an animals natural instant to hunt, other than by keeping them in the house more often. My cat occasionally catches burds and mice, and although I don't like it, I've come to accept it as something that will happen from time to time.

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3. 0

   khmohsinposted 12 years ago

   Its so difficult because its natural with cat to hunt tiny rats and eat as is similar with dogs to run after cats and also same with man to run after woman.In my point of view only tough training keeps them away.

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4. 89

   SallyTXposted 12 years ago

   Well, it sounds like these "tiny rats" are probably mice or maybe even shrews. No matter what they are, she is probably catching them because she has babies. Mother cats eat more meat, and they bring live food to their babies to teach them how to hunt. My mama cat used to bring home rabbits!
   
   I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. You won't be able to stop her, so don't stress and cause her stress. After those babies grow up, have her spayed, and you probably won't have much problem with it any more.

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5. 59

   Island Hopperposted 12 years ago

   Either keep them in the house or get something like this.
   
   http://www.catfence.com/
   http://www.catfencein.com/
   http://www.purrfectfence.com/
   
   The little monsters will stop at nothing. Mine will catch them even with bells on their collars. 2 of my cats will tear off any collar in no time, whether or not it's breakaway. One tore it a chunk of fur off his own neck to get it off. Hopeless unless they're confined somehow.

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6. 82

   DougBerryposted 12 years ago

   Buy the rats little motor scooters.  I like Honda myself; mainly because Devo told me to buy them.  Anyway, once all the rats have their little scooters and helmets, set up a little gas station so they can refuel.  Keep raising the prices.  Pretty soon the rats will move to where gas prices are more reasonable.  Problem solved.

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7. 59

   sterykerposted 12 years ago

   I do believe that hunting mice and other rodents is a natural instinct so it will be hard to stop it from doing it.

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8. 77

   Adventure Coloradposted 12 years ago

   Your cat is just following it's natural instincts.  That is why many farms will have either pet cats, or stray cats that catch the mice in the barns and fields.  Other than worrying about the partially eaten mouse or rat pieces around the house, there is nothing wrong with your cat catching it's own dinner.

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