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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Getting a cat

18 replies

Emo76 · 21/01/2011 13:13

I am not sure this strictly falls in to housekeeping but I am being persuaded by DH and DD that getting a cat is a good idea a) to control our mice problem and b) because DH and DD are huge cat lovers and we don't have any pets. I am a bit scared of cats however realise this is a bit of a daft reason not to get one.

Has anyone else found owning a cat to be a successful mouse control solution? In fact can any other cat owners suggest a breed we should particularly aim for - though I am happy to give a home to an unwanted kitten/cat of any breed.

Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask.

OP posts:

cuppateaplease · 21/01/2011 14:26

If you rehome an unwanted cat eg via cats protection, they should be able to tell you about the nature of a cat, so if you are wary of cats they can pick you a more placid one that is also good with children.

We have had 3 cats and all have been excellent mousers. (probably a bit too good as i often find the remains of dead small furry animals in the morning) They were all common mogeys that we have rehomed.

cookingfat · 21/01/2011 14:27

We have two tabby cats - they're about 18months old and have never caught a mouse (they're free to go in and out through the cat flap all day and all night). One did catch a vole once, but just played with it for a while, then released it alive. They're lovely pets, but think mousecatching is a myth, unless we just feed ours too well.

mathanxiety · 21/01/2011 15:57

I definitely recommend a cat for mouse control, in fact, control of any unwanted home invaders. Mine hunts and kills everything that moves, and also eats cobwebs. In her early years, she would pounce on feet or hair or your toes under the bedclothes. I think you have to get a kitten when it's old enough to have been taught by the mother cat to hunt, so maybe one older than twelve weeks would be suitable. Although cats' instinct to hunt is a very strong one, so maybe they can pick it up, depending on their individual nature.

Good article here on kitten development - if you want a friendly and relaxed cat who is also a good mouser you will need one who has been touched by people and well socialised in the first 7 or 8 weeks and also taught by the mother. My own cat didn't have this experience of early socialising and was nervous and inclined to shy away from people for a long time. She still corrects the DCs' behaviour from time to time (ouch!) and helps me out with my 'kittens' by bringing me the odd sad looking and mangled offering to feed my kittens with. She also helps keep DD3 clean by frequent licking (they are both ginger and I think she feels quite motherly towards her). Her one bad habit is peeing on DD3's clothes if she leaves them on the floor - the vet said she may be trying to protect DD3 from predators - but it has had the good effect of keeping the DCs from leaving their clothes lying around. Cats are fun.

Don't forget neutering or spaying. They can reproduce in the first year of life.

HedgeSparrow · 21/01/2011 17:02

As it's important to neuter your cat, you might want to consider getting a female one as they are considered to be better hunters. Certainly if the neutered boys I've owned are anything to go by, getting from the sofa to the food bowl to the patio is about as active as it gets!

aprildays · 21/01/2011 20:02

When I moved into my new house it was overrun with mice
As soon as i got my kitten there was never another live mouse. I have had female cats for years and they are certainly very effective

whomovedmychocolate · 21/01/2011 20:04

Yes. Get a farm cat. Or a black and white one. They are best at hunting I find.

Do not fear the cat, the cat will love you.

He will shed on your sofa and fart at inopportune moments but then, it's just like having a second husband I find

Original poster

Emo76 · 21/01/2011 20:25

Thank you for all your helpful replies. I just need to be sure that we can look after a cat properly (we both work outside the home) before going for it - but DD would LOVE one and I can see the mouse related benefits!

OP posts:

cruelladepoppins · 22/01/2011 20:29

We have 2 cats we got as kittens - sad story, they had been orphaned at 3 weeks. They are excellent hunters all the same, and I think their very presence deters mice - most of what they catch seems to come from outside. Mind you this includes birds and the occasional bat so not great from that point of view.

I know what you mean about being sure you can look after them properly. Life got easier for us after we installed a catflap, now they come and go as they please. Mind you we are half a mile away from the nearest public road so that's one less thing to worry about for us.

ilovemyhens · 22/01/2011 21:58

Neither of my two cats are capable of catching a mouse

They try, but they're just not that efficient in spite of being in good health and not overweight.

I would only get a cat if you want one as a pet really. If you're having problems with mice, then get some traps. Some cats just aren't that good at catching stuff.

Cats also injure fledglings in the spring. I've ended up with a few casualties because of this.

catwhiskers10 · 22/01/2011 22:25

I have 2 cats and while we dint have a mouse problem, a neighbour 3 doors down from us did and we havent had any mice, don't know if this was due to the cats though or just luck!
I wouldn't get a cat for the sole purpose of catching mice unless you were keen to have it as a pet aswell.
From my experience (had quite a few cats) female cats are better hunters and Tom cats make better pets.

CottageFrog · 22/01/2011 22:51

mine caught a rat once and brought it into the house - alive!

whomovedmychocolate · 22/01/2011 22:52

All of my cats have caught mice. But then we live in the countryside. They could probably sit outside the backdoor with their mouths open and catch them as they walked by.

dikkertjedap · 22/01/2011 23:17

Our cat is brilliant at catching mice, then bringing them in through the cat flap and releasing them inside the house. We then have to catch them as she completely loses interest once she has released them ...

whomovedmychocolate · 22/01/2011 23:22

dikkertjedap - our old cat used to do that a lot. New cat has much keener eyesight and just eats the buggers. Normally while you are trying to eat your dinner. Nice

Changeisagoodthing · 22/01/2011 23:22

My big Tom cat catches and kills everything. My female catches but doesn't kill. I have been told this is common but don't knowcas a fact.

So a big Tom- the rescue would be delighted- everyone wants small females.

onceamai · 24/01/2011 21:13

We have a lovely black and white British Short Hair Cross. Haven't had a mouse since he arrived - except for the ones he lines up next to his bowl . He's gorgeous too.

ClaireDeLoon · 24/01/2011 21:18

I never have mice but then huge black cat catches everything. Everything. The list is frightening. He once came home with a chicken leg and I'm not talking drumstick. Claws and feathers, still attached. Bats, rats, house martins, starlings, koi carp, goldfish.

I second changeisagoodthing, get a big tom.

That said fat tabby can't catch butterflies and he's a big tom too.

Stangirl · 25/01/2011 12:29

My 2 cats bring mice they have caught outside into the house as presents for us and then let them go so they run off and die of their wounds in corners. Love my cats - but it is a gross habit.

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