Which cats catch mice and rats: heredity and upbringing
Half a century ago, an experiment took place in which cats and kittens were involved. Two “families” were purebred, and two were “noble families” living in rural conditions. The cats were replaced with babies, giving them to simple purebred cats and vice versa. When the kittens were about three weeks old, the village cats began teaching the children how to hunt in practice by bringing them mice they had caught.
The little “nobles”, under the leadership of high-born “mothers” at that time, were simply playing at hunting; they did not have the need, and indeed the opportunity, to kill the victim. As a result, it turned out that which cats catch mice and rats is influenced not only by heredity, but also by upbringing. The living example of a hunting cat, free access to prey, and the need to get food for oneself play no less a role than the genes in which hunting talent is embedded.
So, if you are wondering which cats catch mice, not out of idle curiosity, and you actually need a good mouser or mousetrap, pay attention to kittens born and raised in nature. Perhaps, somewhere in the basement, a cat is already raising for you someone who can easily rid your house of harmful rodents. If it is important for you that your mouse-catching pets have a breed, it is better to take kittens from a country nursery, where the cats have the opportunity to freely enter the area.
How not to harm a cat during castration?
In order for your pet to remain “full” even after castration, you must follow some rules when performing it.
Thus, all experienced veterinarians believe that castration of animals from seven years of age and older is permissible only in case of chronic and cancerous diseases of the reproductive organs. The problem is that when such pets are sterilized, there is a serious hormonal imbalance. This will not improve your pet's health. He may begin to have problems with excess weight, the cat will become apathetic, lethargic, and he will even stop catching mice. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable to sterilize older pets using medication. In this case, the level of hormones will decrease gradually, the animal’s body will have time to adapt to the changes taking place, and therefore serious consequences will be avoided.
It's easiest with kittens. They quickly recover from the operation, and hormones do not have such an effect on them (since they have not yet begun to be produced in the proper volume). It is for this reason that it is recommended to castrate animals at an early age. In this case, the procedure does not change their behavior in any way, and the cat will continue to hunt mice with the same enthusiasm.
Cat or cat: who is the better hunter?
If we talk about the gender of mousecatchers, it still seems more reasonable to give the palm to the cat. In cats, the sexual instinct comes first, and if the animal is not castrated, the mustachioed cat can be distracted by “love” all year round, neglecting his hunting duties. We have all seen how skinny and tattered the tailed gentlemen return from their sexual adventures - it is obvious that they had no time for mice.
In cats, the estrus period is usually not long. And, raising kittens, as we said above, they hunt with double zeal and teach their offspring to do so. That is, they have double motivation. And female creatures usually have more persistence and diligence.
How does castration affect the hunting instinct?
Owners of apartments in urban high-rise buildings are not particularly concerned about the loss of hunting skills in their cat after sterilization. But for owners of private houses this topic is extremely relevant. How does the castration or sterilization procedure affect an animal’s ability to kill rodents?
The decision to neuter a cat will not greatly affect its hunting instincts. Cats before and after castration exterminate rats and mice in the territory entrusted to them with equal eagerness and skill. The exception is castrati who are overweight, which appears due to a sedentary lifestyle and too high-calorie diet. It is difficult for such pets to move, and their hunting skills are gradually reduced to zero.
Since the ability to hunt in cats is inherent at the level of instinct, it is difficult to influence it by sterilization. After the procedure, the animal may become less active and mobile, go out hunting less often, but this will not make the ability to track and catch a mouse disappear.
While cats often become fat and lazy after castration, spayed females, on the contrary, show more interest in hunting. Many cat owners claim that after their pet has become infertile, it goes hunting more often and brings its owners the trophies it catches. In addition, having lost interest in the opposite sex and not spending time and energy on bearing and feeding offspring, the cat directs all its energy to satisfying the hunting instinct.
In general, a tendency towards hunting and active games can be identified in an animal even in childhood. If, as a kitten, the pet is not distinguished by curiosity, nimbleness and activity, it is unlikely that in adulthood, especially after castration, it will be drawn to adventures. Typically, castrated cats become more obedient, calm and balanced.
Which cat catches mice better: beauty matters
The appearance of the mousetrap, if you think about it, also matters. After all, the hunter’s color is his camouflage, which should help the animal remain invisible for as long as possible. For our nature, a discreet fur coat would be preferable - gray, black, brown with stripes or spots, or motley, which will easily blend into any landscape.
It is worth paying attention to the length of the fur - long, when wet, its strong smell can “inform” the prey that a predator is approaching. Therefore, it is easier for short-haired cats to hunt in the rain.
And, of course, you need to pay attention to the whiskers, because these are, so to speak, the second eyes for the cat. Thanks to them, she navigates in the dark, estimates the distance to the target, and catches the slightest vibrations in the air. So, in the past, kittens were chosen based on their rich whiskers for good reason - this is both benefit and beauty in one bottle.
Recommendations
A hunting cat spends a lot of time outdoors, in contact with other animals, which increases the likelihood of infection and the development of diseases. To protect your pet from diseases, you need to remember the following rules:
the cat must be periodically vaccinated against potential diseases; the pet needs to be fully fed and fortified with vitamin supplements, which will strengthen the immune system; every 5 months, clean your pet of worms for the purpose of prevention; the animal needs to buy a flea collar that prevents the spread of parasites; in early spring, before a walk, it is recommended to treat your pet’s fur with protective sprays, since in May the likelihood of insect attacks increases.
For preventative purposes, you can take your cat to the veterinarian for examination once every six months.
What breed of cat catches mice and rats?
The fame of outbred cats as the terror of rats and mice is well founded. After all, for them hunting is not just entertainment, but a way of survival. Healthy genes, not spoiled by close ties, ensure not only the transmission of hunting talent, but also physical endurance - a mandatory guarantee of victory over the enemy.
If we talk about purebred animals, then when discussing which breeds of cats catch mice, first of all we need to talk about the so-called aboriginal breeds. They naturally formed in a particular territory without the intervention of breeders, that is, they were bred by nature itself with all the ensuing advantages.
Among the “Russians” these are Siberian cats, Russian Blues, and Kuril Bobtails. Of those that have foreign roots, it is worth noting the giants Maine Coons, Orientals, Bengals, Abyssinians, Ocicats, Thais and Siamese, Chartreux, European and British Shorthairs - these cat breeds are also very, very deft at catching mice.
Tailed liberators of Leningrad
When all the cats in the besieged city were eaten in 1943, rats began to multiply at a catastrophic rate. They ran through the streets like a businessman in search of corpses, climbed into apartments, destroyed furniture and the last supplies.
The rodents were shot by special brigades and crushed by tanks, but the “rat troops” did not retreat. The city was saved by rat-catching cats of Russian and Siberian breeds. They were brought in trains from all over the country after the blockade was broken.
Today, two sculptures remind us of the four-legged liberators. One depicts the cat Vasilisa standing on the ledge, the second depicts the cat Elisha sitting opposite. St. Petersburg residents believe that whoever throws a coin on a cat pedestal will be lucky.
Breed of cats that catch mice: fact or fiction?
However, it still seems not entirely correct to discuss what breed of cats catch mice. A cat is a cat, and the hunting instinct lives in each of them. Everything else is extremely individual. Some street cats will prefer to rummage through the trash without straining themselves, while a pet that has grown up “in silks and velvet” and is hung with awards will eagerly catch every midge that may be lying around.
By the way, hunger, contrary to popular belief, is not a hunter’s best companion. A hungry animal is more impatient and makes mistakes more often than one that has no need to rush.
In short, there is no ideal cat breed for catching mice, just as there is no one that does not catch mice. There is a cat or cat - a hunter of rats and mice, and the breed has nothing to do with it. If you are lucky enough to meet one, take care of him, regardless of whether he has a pedigree or not. It is, without exaggeration, vital to vaccinate, treat for fleas and deworm such a treasure in a timely manner.
When contacting rodents, the risk of infection is very high. In addition, “city” mice and rats can be poisoned with poisons, and this can lead to poisoning of the cat. So the well-being of your pet hunter needs to be kept under special control.
Recommendations
A hunting cat spends a lot of time outdoors, in contact with other animals, which increases the likelihood of infection and the development of diseases. To protect your pet from diseases, you need to remember the following rules:
- the cat must be periodically vaccinated against potential diseases;
- the pet needs to be fully fed and fortified with vitamin supplements, which will strengthen the immune system;
- every 5 months, clean your pet of worms for the purpose of prevention;
- the animal needs to buy a flea collar that prevents the spread of parasites;
- in early spring, before a walk, it is recommended to treat your pet’s fur with protective sprays, since in May the likelihood of insect attacks increases.
For preventative purposes, you can take your cat to the veterinarian for examination once every six months.
Sources
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- https://xklop.ru/myshi-i-krysy/kakaya-poroda-koshek-luchshe-vsego-lovit-myshej.html
- https://apest.ru/myshi/vse-o-myshah/edyat-li-myshej-koshki/
- https://VashiKoshki.ru/porody/krysolov
- https://gafki.ru/koshki/krysolovy.html
- https://aquatech-spb.ru/koshki-porody/lovyat-li-koty-myshej.html
- https://www.zaggo.ru/article/vokrug_doma/obshee4/kak_izbavit_sya_ot_myshej_i_krys_8_porod_koshek_krysolovov_kotorye_najdut_i_obezvredyat_gryzunov.html
Kurilian Bobtail
The breeds of cats that are good rat catchers also include the Kurilian Bobtail. The bobtail cat first appeared in Russia in the 20th century, when it was brought from the Kuril Islands. These animals are distinguished by their loyal nature to humans. In some ways they even resemble dogs in character.
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Kurilian bobtail kittens immediately become attached to a person and try in every possible way to protect him from all sorts of troubles. The latter include rodents. By the way, in addition to mice and rats, bobtails are capable of driving away small dogs that have encroached on their territory.
The breed is distinguished by a small tail, the maximum size of which is only 8 cm. In body structure, these animals resemble a lynx: they have long and powerful hind limbs, allowing them to make excellent jumps. Kurilian bobtails are capable of running at high speed and crushing mice and rats.
The weight of these animals is up to 6 kg in females and up to 10 kg in males. Whatever the hole is - a mouse or a rat, the Kurilian Bobtail can cope with it; it is not without reason that they are often found on farms and in houses where rodent pests predominate.
But, as in the case of fold ears and Maine Coons, bobtails of any breed, be it Japanese, American, or Kuril, are very expensive, and not everyone can have one. Moreover, he needs care appropriate to his breed.
The Kurilian Bobtail is good at catching rodents
Behavior change
There are often cases when cats behave quite aggressively towards household members and guests. Pets are capable of not only scratching furniture, but also attacking. The animal experiences a kind of stress (usually due to dissatisfaction). This behavior goes from episodic to permanent status, since the pet considers it the norm.
The problem can be solved if the animal is sterilized in a timely manner. The cat becomes more accommodating as the source of “indignation” ceases to be relevant
If even several months after the operation the cat still continues to be mischievous, then the cause should be sought in other factors (constant stress, illness, lack of attention, etc.). In the first days after the operation, the animal may behave too calmly
It will seem that in such a short period of time the pet's activity will decrease significantly. But actually it is not. The rehabilitation period for each individual is different. For some, a couple of days are enough to recover, while for others it takes up to several weeks or even months.
How to care?
The grooming procedures that cats need include bathing, hygiene procedures and preventive veterinary examinations.
So, the cat should be washed as it gets dirty, but not less than once every 2 weeks (the timing may vary depending on the breed). In this case, it is allowed to use only those detergents that are intended for animals. Also included in the category of hygiene procedures is regular cleaning of the ears and eyes (this should be done with cotton swabs and pads).
Once every few months, the cat should be taken to the veterinarian. Do not forget to carry out systematic procedures to get rid of worms and fleas. If you notice that your rat catcher has been injured by a rodent, rush to the veterinary clinic, as rats and mice are carriers of a large number of dangerous diseases that can be transmitted to your pet, and even cause death.
In the next video you can watch how the cat deftly caught a mouse that ran into the house.
Cats and cats are different and perform a wide variety of functions. However, one of their key duties is to catch rodents. This question is especially relevant if a person lives in a private house. But you should choose your pet carefully. Not every breed is suitable for the role of a hunter, so not every cat will be able to cope with the responsibilities assigned to it.
