Could I request a non hunting cat from a rescue?

[JKLMNO]

I desperately want a pet and have done for years. The thing is I know I couldn’t cope with a cat bringing rodents in the house or anything else dead or alive. I would plan to get an adult cat from a rescue. Is it possible that they could tell which cats are less likely to be hunters having got to know them?

@RachelHasThoseInBurgundy all I could think was that some neighbour somewhere is wondering how his mousetrap disappeared!!

Next door neighbours said cat had to keep having a rest one his way home across the back car park it was obviously heavy!

He somehow got a massive alive pigeon through the cat flap one day. He was also pretty dim and clumsy so we never quite could believe he coughs anything - perhaps instinct took over?

He just plays dim and clumsy- you know that right?

Get a Persian, they couldn't catch a cold. The rescue I got mine from
Has just had an influx of cats. I have a massive phobia of rodents.

Hmmm the meowing when he got stuck with back legs on the cat tree front paws on the windowsill 🤦🏼‍♀️ falling off the sofa whilst getting belly strokes numerous times, he also loved the rain came in shouted to be towel dried then when straight back out. Never realised that meat or fish was edible? Took him until he was 13 to realise he could push an open door so he could he through. His sister definitely got the brains in the litter!

Hunting is the main reason we don't have a cat flap! So we can monitor what they bring in - harder in summer! We have 9-year-old brother and sister (since birth, their mum died this year) - the girl is a rabid hunter but the boy is fat and lazy

@RandomMess

Hmmm the meowing when he got stuck with back legs on the cat tree front paws on the windowsill 🤦🏼‍♀️ falling off the sofa whilst getting belly strokes numerous times, he also loved the rain came in shouted to be towel dried then when straight back out. Never realised that meat or fish was edible? Took him until he was 13 to realise he could push an open door so he could he through. His sister definitely got the brains in the litter!

he sounds brilliant craic! Our boy cat is similarly daft.

I think you can’t tell which cat won’t hunt but you can tell which one will be less successful. Get an older, lazier and fattier cat.

bell and sparkly collar

Sometimes rescues have cats on a waiting list or being advertised but still living in their old home, where the owner knows they want to rehome but it's not urgent, and can give the full lowdown.

Get a Persian, they couldn't catch a cold

Good call, I've had 2 Chinchilla Persians & the first one was actually seen running out of our garage with a dormouse running after him. He'd run & hide from birds too. 2nd one didn't ever catch anything either, but he was a real Diva of a cat & could be a real pain at times ... like peeing in my bothers suitcase, because he didn't give him his KFC straight away

I have two cats. Female moggie is v lazy but still hunts occasionally. Ragdoll male a very successful and regular hunter and not stopped by bells of any size or quantity. Neither fats enough to catch squirrels though. Mice, shrews, voles and birds fair game though.

A previous cat once "hunted" neighbours bbq leftovers and brought me spare rib bones and charred aubergine slices!

Other cats have been pacifists. I'm not convinced you can tell either way and suspect indoor cats are the only way to be 100% sure you won't get presents.

*cats... although fats is fairly accurate

My rescue boy does not hunt. He also does not catch spiders, flies or well, anything useful
He likes to occasionally bring me a leaf
I'm not even really joking when I say if he brought me a mouse I would be booking him a vet appointment

My DMs cat is the laziest creature you could ever meet. She's definitely one that you would think would not be a hunter. She has still on occasion got lucky and caught the odd bird or mouse and brought it in.

Oh and he does only have one tooth now!

All cats are hunters, it's instinct. I'm on cat number 10 and some are lazier than others.

You do understand what cats are, don’t you? They are, by their nature, territorial predators like all felines. Hunting and killing is what they do. It’s how they feed themselves and their young, and it is as natural to them as grazing is to a sheep.

If you don’t want to share you home with a predator, might I suggest getting a rabbit?

My cat hunts outside. He doesn't bring prey home. However, he is a former stray so might be keener to keep it for himself. Anyway, he hasn't brought anything in! Early in our relationship he brought me a massive dead rat which he left outside the back door. Now I'm feeding him, he hasn't brought anything home.

A few may remember Ned the gentle giant. He's doing so well. He's still giant and a bit mad but now sleeps indoors and is a proper part of the family.

I did suggest once he could catch some spiders and he did this "why when I can cuddle human?"

Unless you have a cat which never goes outside they all hunt.

In my experience older cats are far less likely to hunt (too slow, too lazy, just can't be bothered maybe?). I have 4 cats. The 10 year olds (who were both killers in their youth) never catch anything now, my 3 year old cats are prolific hunters.
It's obviously no guarantee but I suspect an 8 or 9 yesr old would be a better bet for you than a kitten.

We have a brother and sister, since 10 weeks. Now 3 1/2. The boy cat never catches anything, girl does occasionally but then just leaves on the grass. I think even girl cat has got lazier recently as I haven’t seen anything left for months

You can't tell. I've only ever had one mouse brought into the house though. The same cat used to play with the birds and they all used to walk around her pecking her fur. It was lovely to watch then jumping over her paws while she just laid there. I've never had a cat who killed birds but my next door neighbour's cat was a bastard for it.

My current cat is an indoor only and we've just discovered we have bloody mice in the house. Cat is completely oblivious and is doing sod all to assist. Useless.

Get a cat and stick a huge bell on it.

I have to agree with Persians too they are a very docile breed. Get in touch with Persian Welfare and Rescue I'm sure they'll have a number of adults looking for a new home.