What kind of cat is a "good mouser"

[Cara]

Poison around other animals is a bad idea. Even if they can't get into the bait, they will probably find a poisoned mouse that has wandered off. My husband's dog ate a dead poisoned mouse and was lucky to make it out alive.

 

[rooster0209]

LOL , The hungry cat is the best mouser. What ever type you get need to be fed just enough to keep him health, dont over feed or it will get lazy.

This is not always the case. I feed mine twice a day and they dont get hungry, they still hunt..alot.

I have even heard that neutered males dont hunt...again this is not the case.

BB (aka bossy b****h) is a very good mouser, has one each day. She is just a plain old cat

PC showed up winter before last & is neutered. He cleared the yard of pocket gophers and is a good hunter

Tigger is also a good hunter, if it moves..she can get it

But....
On the other hand, it doesnt have to be a cat. Rat terriors are known for their hunting instincts as well as schnauzers and Doxies. My Pooh has cleared the house of a mouse of two in her 13yrs

My advice, do not buy a cat! Any cat will kill mice. Its just what they do. They like little furry things that squeek when they are squashed and try to get away. My two house cats would catch a mouse and torture it to death. Its just what they do​

 

[seedcorn]

Quote:
Depends on poison, the ones I use are anti-coagulates that have no effect on another animal eating the dead. I never leave poison where other animals can get to it.

You will never clean mice out of a house w/cats only.

 

[Cara]

The majority of rodent posions are anti-coagulants; they cause internal bleeding in mammals, which requires veterinary attention.

 

[kinnip]

All of mine are cute, furry, cuddly killers. Even the one with no claws makes the occasional kill. They're from different situations and are who knows what breed. Some are male, one is female. I feed them twice a day and they're fat, but I think killing is a compulsion for them.

 

[Aneesa's Muse]

Find a local Cat Adoption near you ...and talk to some of the Foster Families ..they will be able to tell you about the cats in their care and whether they think they would be active mousers.

I recently looked into getting another cat ..I think Aneesa sent this cat to me, actually ...and the Foster Mom told me that Teddy would definitely have some issues with my other pets. I still want him ..we'll just have to work out the difference between "killing zone" and "comfort zone" here

Anyhow.. definitely look into a Cat Rescue/Adoption

...and you'd be surprised, but chickens are great mousers, too!!

 

[English Chick]

My advice get feral/farm cats from your local farmer, my two are fantastic and I would not be withut them, but they are not cats for comfort as they dont like to sit on your knee. Good Luck and put mouse traps down in the meantime....I do not like mice!! any neither do my cats.......

 

[BearSwampChick]

I read once that the reason cats leave their little prizes on our doorsteps or pillows or whatnot is that they think we're so gosh-darned dumb we can't find our own food! That cracked me up!

 

[balticbabe]

It's hard to tell which cat will be a good mouser. Best to get a used, proven mouser or a kitten whose parents are known to be good hunters.

Two of my mutt cats are brothers. One prefers mice to kibble. I've seen him eat mice whole. He also leaves hollowed out rats lying around. He even brings in bats. Apparently moles don't taste good, they're left whole. His brother and the other two will kill something if it runs in front of them but they don't go out of their way to hunt.

All of mine are neutered and were raised indoors. If we lived here when they were young I think they would all be more active hunters. They had gotten used to the city life.

 

[silkiechicken]

I feel that a feral cat who had to learn to hunt for a living is your best bet. All the cats I have are feral types. If you live out in the country a bit, may look into contacting your local "feral cat rescue" or "feral cat project" to see if they have some they can bring you. However, they will be skittish outdoor cats which you provide just one can of food a day per group. Ever since out door cats showed up here 16 years ago... not one mouse has been caught in the traps in the walls or in the attic. I often get the feeling many humane societies cringe at the whole you're going to make the cat work.