Has your cat ever caught a mouse or mouse? Cats like to hunt small prey and often bring home what they catch. Sometimes they eat the prey, other times they leave it to you as a «gift». As disturbing as it may be, this is completely normal feline behavior. However, rodents can pose a risk to cats that hunt them.
Why do cats hunt?
Cats survive in the wild by hunting small prey. They have evolved into ideal hunters with agility and keen senses. Despite domestication, most cats still have a strong predatory drive and an instinctive desire to hunt.
Cats often hunt for pleasure. You may find that your cat brings home live prey, plays with it, but never eats it.
Since this survival instinct remains, it is important for cats to have an alternative to this energy. Toys and games can help your cat satisfy his hunting needs without having to catch live prey. However, most cats will continue to chase and catch live prey if given the chance, no matter how well fed they are at home.
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Using cats to get rid of rodents
Throughout history, humans have used cats to keep rodents away. While rodent prevention can be a nice benefit to owning a cat, it should never be the primary reason for having one. Cats are domestic animals that require safe and stable home environments. Unfortunately for cats, rodents can pose significant health risks that affect both cats and humans.
There are several ways your cat can be affected by exposure to rodents. Mice and rats can carry viruses, bacteria, parasites and even toxins that can affect you or your cat.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in cats. This infection is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis can affect many animals, including humans. However, the cat is the ideal host for Toxoplasma gondii, since it is the only animal in which this microscopic parasite can complete its life cycle.
Cats become infected with Toxoplasma gondii by ingesting the cysts of this parasite. Most often this happens when cats eat infected mice or rats. However, they can also ingest it during grooming after coming into contact with infected soil or feces.
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Cats infected with toxoplasmosis often show no symptoms. In rare cases they will develop lethargy, gastrointestinal problems or even respiratory problems, but many cats will remain asymptomatic carriers for life.
Humans can contract toxoplasmosis after handling cat litter containing the parasite and accidentally ingesting microscopic cysts. They can also get sick after eating contaminated meat. Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans include fever, headache, lethargy, and muscle aches. Toxoplasmosis can also be asymptomatic in humans.
WARNING
However, it can cause serious complications in pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
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Intestinal parasites in cats
Many rodents are infected with common intestinal parasites such as roundworms. Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss. Some intestinal parasites can be transmitted to other pets or people.
If your cat goes outdoors or is known to catch rodents, routine fecal testing to check for intestinal parasites is recommended. Your veterinarian may prescribe deworming medications to deworm your cat. Additionally, some monthly heartworm and flea preventatives will deworm your cat with every dose.
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Plague bacterium in cats
Some rodents carry plague, an infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. These are essentially the same bacteria responsible for the infamous «black death» in the Middle Ages. Plague is often transmitted by fleas, but cats can become infected by eating the flesh of infected animals (often small mammals).
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Cats infected with Yersinia pestis may experience lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, muscle pain and fever. The cat may develop swollen lymph nodes, mouth lesions and weight loss.
Treatment involves the use of antibiotics and the provision of supportive care. The earlier treatment can be started, the better the chances of survival.
It is unusual for humans to contract the plague. When they become infected, it is usually through a flea bite. Symptoms and treatment are relatively similar to those in cats.
Leptospirosis in rodents
Some rodents carry a bacterium called Leptospira. Although leptospirosis is rare in cats, humans are quite susceptible to the disease. Your cat can bring in an infected rodent, exposing you and other pets to the disease. Leptospirosis causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to liver disease in dogs and humans.
Hantavirus infections
Several types of rodents are known to carry hantavirus. Cats can be infected with hantavirus, but show no symptoms, so the virus is not dangerous for them. Additionally, cats cannot transmit hantavirus to humans.
However, humans can be exposed through contact with infected rodents. Although serious complications from hantavirus are rare in humans, exposure can lead to a serious condition called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Toxicity of rodenticides
Rodenticides are extremely toxic to cats. Cats can eat rat poison that has been placed in and around the house. Most commonly, cats are exposed after eating all or part of a rodent that has ingested rat poison. There are different types of rat poison, so symptoms and treatments may vary. Rodenticide exposure is very serious even in small quantities.
Rodenticides can cause signs such as lethargy, gastrointestinal distress, pale gums, confusion, seizures and more. If you suspect your cat has been exposed to rat poison, seek veterinary care immediately. Aggressive treatment is often necessary.
How to protect yourself and your cat
If you see your cat with a dead or dying rodent, you don’t need to worry immediately. However, it is best to remove the rodent to prevent the cat from eating it.
WARNING
Always wear gloves when handling rodents. As an added layer of protection against hantavirus, a mask is also recommended.
After exposure to a rodent, it is important to observe the cat carefully for several days. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat shows signs of illness. If your feline is a regular rodent hunter, you may need to visit the vet more frequently to check for diseases and parasites.
All cats should have flea prevention treatment year-round, but this is even more important if your cat is known to prey on prey. Also consider tick prevention.
Avoid using rodenticides in the home. This can reduce the risk of exposure to rat poison.
One of the best things you can do to minimize exposure is to keep your cat indoors. Yes, rodents can enter your home, but there are many more of them outdoors.
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