Cats deterring mice: An authority shares the truth behind this claim

In a bid to keep mice at bay, it's essential to maintain cleanliness in your home, especially when it comes to food storage. Store all human and pet food in airtight containers made of glass or metal, regularly clean up crumbs and spills, and keep your home tidy. This simple routine can discourage mice from entering your home.

Mice aren't just a nuisance; they can pose a threat to your feline friends. Rodents can host intestinal worms, mites, ticks, and fleas that can infest cats. Worse still, many diseases and parasites transmitted from mice to cats are zoonotic, meaning they can also be passed from cats to humans.

Cats, being obligate carnivores, have a strong ethological need to hunt small prey, including mice. However, the desire to hunt can vary greatly between individuals. Factors such as genetics, environment, and early socialization play a significant role in shaping a cat's predatory drive. Some breeds like Maine Coons and Bengals are renowned for their high predatory drive and exceptional hunting skills.

On the other hand, indoor cats may develop weaker hunting instincts compared to those raised in environments where they are encouraged to hunt, like barns, farms, and stables. Cats will normally hunt many times throughout the day, though less than 50% of their hunts are likely to be successful.

Well-fed house cats may pursue mice for fun rather than because they're hungry. This behaviour can put them at risk of ingesting toxins, pesticides, or rodent poisons. To mitigate this risk, it's important to keep up-to-date with routine antiparasitic treatments for cats, especially if they are keen hunters.

Kittens, elderly cats, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to severe problems from rodent-borne diseases or parasites. Mice can transmit diseases to cats, including salmonella, cowpox, toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis, tularemia, yersinia pestis, and hantavirus.

Debbie Bryon, a certified clinical animal behaviorist, animal training instructor, and registered vet nurse with over 20 years of experience working with cats and various other species, offers some practical advice. Sealing cracks, holes, and gaps in foundations, walls, roof, and around doorways and windows with steel wool, copper mesh, caulk, or expanding foam insulation can deter mice from entering homes.

Growing marigolds and petunias near entry points can help keep mice at bay. The strong scents of certain herbs and spices, such as cedarwood essential oil, can act as a natural rodent deterrent. Interestingly, mice have an inherent aversion to the smell of cat urine, which can deter them from some areas of a home.

African wildcats, the ancestors of domestic cats, were attracted to early farming settlements due to large numbers of mice. Today, while every cat is unique, and while they exhibit innate predatory behavior, they don't all have a strong inclination to hunt mice. It's crucial to remember that a rodent-free home is not just beneficial for your cat but also for your health.