Mary Allen
In the wild, cats are excellent hunters. Although they usually prey on and eat mice, they can occasionally kill rats as well. But what happens when your cat eats a rat? Is it toxic to them or harmless? You’ll find the answer here.
Perhaps you have already discovered a dead rat on your doormat once or twice in a mixture of horror, disgust, and amazement? If you have an outdoor cat who loves to hunt, this can happen from time to time. In principle, you don’t need to worry about that, because cats are good judges of whether or not they are in danger when hunting.
Do Cats Eat Rats or Just Hunt Them?
Cats rarely eat their prey if they are otherwise well-fed. In general, house cats hunt because their instincts dictate it. They train, so to speak, for the worst-case scenario, so that they could be on their own out in the wilderness, even if it never happened. Basically, mice fall victim to your cat’s hunting instinct – but particularly talented hunters also dare to approach larger prey such as rats. However, it cannot be completely ruled out that cats will also eat the mice and rats they have captured. Unlike shrews, rodents are a fundamental part of the natural diet of our velvet paws.
Cat Eats Rat: Possible Dangers
Whether it is dangerous for cats to eat rats depends on several factors. An adult, healthy and strong cat that devours a small rat usually has nothing to fear. However, the rodents can carry toxoplasmosis pathogens or worms bear in themselves. These can be passed on to the cat when eaten. Unlike dogs, velvet paws usually survive a toxoplasmosis infection unscathed. However, they excrete the pathogen anyway. If chronically ill, immunocompromised, or very young cats then come into contact with it – for example via a shared litter box – it can be dangerous for them. Pregnant women and immunocompromised people should also watch out for toxoplasmosis and, for example, leave the cleaning of the litter box to others.
Worms, on the other hand, are a problem for all cats when they contract them. The parasites can lead to anemia, deficiency symptoms, and digestive problems. Prevention is important here. Deworm your outdoor cat at regular intervals to ensure that parasites are not taking up residence in their intestines. Spot-on preparations are a good alternative to tablets or drops because you only have to dab the remedy on the back of your neck. The active ingredient is absorbed through the skin. A very rare, but theoretically possible danger is what is known as secondary poisoning. This can occur when cats eat rats that have previously ingested poison.
Did the Cat Eat a Rat: When to the Vet?
If your cat has eaten a rat, you don’t need to go to the vet right away. Watch her closely to see if she shows any noticeable changes in behavior. Warning signs that indicate an emergency such as secondary poisoning are as follows:
● Weakness
● Cramps and seizures
● Bleeding
● Difficulty breathing
● Unusually pale mucous membranes
● Swelling
If you are unsure and afraid for your pet, we also recommend one vet is also recommended.
Prevent Dangers of Rat Consumption in Cats
It is not possible to completely prevent cats from chasing mice and rats when they are outdoors. It can also happen that they eat their prey. However, they can, for example, reduce the risk of poisoning and secondary poisoning. For example, if you want to fight rats, don’t use rat poison, rather use traps. Also, consider securing your yard with a cat fence. In this way, you can limit the risk of your furry friend catching rats at the neighbors, which may contain poison.