Cats might seem like the perfect pet to have at home, but they’re mischievous at heart. They’ve got their own rules and ways of living life to the fullest. But what happens when you come home to find that your feline friend has snatched a little rodent? Should you be upset? Should you be thankful? Why would I want to see a dead mouse anyways? Well, there are a lot of things at play here. Cats do this as a loyalty gesture, but with no doubt, you should apply all cleaning methods afterward. Let’s discuss why your cat has a vendetta against mice and what you should do next!
Click below to jump ahead:
- Why Cats Kill Mice
- What You Should Do After Your Cat Kills a Mouse (Or Mice!)
- Steps to Follow When Your Cat Brings Home a Mouse
- Should I Be Concerned?
Why Cats Kill Mice
The reason why your seemingly innocent cat is chasing after pests in and outside of your home all goes back to their primal instincts. Don’t forget that cats are ruthless killers in the wild. They’re related to mountain lions and tigers, which are some of the most lethal predators on the planet.
When your cat sees the quick movements of a small rodent, it has no choice but to react as if it were prey. Cats kill mice because they want to let loose their natural hunting abilities and successfully bring back a reward for their family. But you might notice that they don’t actually eat the mouse right away. Furthermore, it could still be alive!
Let’s talk about what you should do next.
What You Should Do After Your Cat Kills a Mouse (Or Mice!)
If you’ve come across dead mice in your house or your cat comes to you with a mouse in its bite, don’t panic. Here are a few things that you can do before you even lay your hands on your furry friend.
The 5 Steps to Follow When Your Cat Brings Home a Mouse
1. Steer Clear of the Mouse
One thing you don’t want to do is grab the mouse directly out of your cat’s mouth, or pick it up off of the floor barehanded. Mice can carry deadly diseases—even the plague. Plus, it could be alive (although not common) and it may bite you if it gets the chance. That means you need to take precautions to make sure you don’t get sick.
2. Gather Supplies
You’ll want to grab a handful of cleaning supplies to take care of the pest. Consider a pair of latex gloves or paper towels to pick up the dead mouse off of your floor or out of your cat’s mouth. If it’s alive, set up a trap so that your cat can let it run into a concealed area. Also, take a separate trash bag or poo bag to cover up the critter if it isn’t alive.
3. Take Care of Business
Now bring the said mouse as far away as possible from your home, preferably to a dump (if dead) or the woods. The second option will let nature set its course and is the better way to go if it’s alive. It probably won’t come back because of your feline, but it’s still good to take it far out so that your cat doesn’t snatch it up a second time.
4. Clean Your Cat’s Mouth!
This is a very important thing that is overlooked after cat owners get done with the mouse. Your cat still has lingering scents and bacteria from the rodent, which you DEFINITELY don’t want on your face when you share kisses. You can use enzymatic toothpaste or other forms of cleaning for your cat’s mouth.
5. Clean the Floor
Don’t forget about the place where the mouse got dropped. If it was dead, it could leave some smells and more bacteria on the floor, even spilling a bit of blood. Use some disinfecting spray and wipes to clean up.
Should I Be Concerned?
The sight might seem unnerving but there are actually a few reasons why you should be happy about the situation. Firstly, if your cat brings you a mouse, it’s a form of loyalty and affection, as it shows that they want to treat you with a gift (although it may not be the most pleasing).
Not only that, but it can be a relief to know that you have your own pest-control service right at home.
But there are also some reasons why it might be a bad thing. It could mean that your cat has gone outside to chase critters and bring them back home.
Conclusion
Cats have many ways of expressing their gratitude to their owners, but a mouse at the dinner table isn’t the most pleasing for us. The best thing you can do is stay calm and take safety precautions to ensure you and your cat are safe. But hey, now you know all about why cats kill mice and what you should do if it happens!
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
