What are the Best Cat Breeds for Catching Mice?

Humans have been relying on cats for pest control for thousands of years.  They were a favorite of the Egyptians because of their reliable methods for removing unwanted bugs and mice.

We all bring cats into our lives for different reasons, for but some of us, a big reason is to keep those tiny critters at bay.

Which Breeds Catch the Most Mice?

Finding the right cat to perform this handy maintenance may seem daunting – after all, there are countless breeds of cat. Though some breeds tend to be more aligned with their hunting instincts, there’s no breed that’s completely great for catching mice, no easy answer to this question.

The Solution

The best thing to do is to look for signs that the cat you’re bringing into your home will have a feeling for finding and catching mice.

Some sure signs include:

• Gender – Female cats tend to hunt more consistently and more reliably than male cats. Many experts believe this is because in the wild, females are in charge of teaching younger cats to hunt.  Many female cats will bring their owners presents of dead birds and mice as a means of making sure they’re “fed” and to show their owners how to hunt as if they were kittens.  Making sure to reward your cat for any gifts she may bring will also ensure that she continues to hunt on your behalf.
• Curiosity – A curious cat will want to continue exploring the world around them, and this includes encounters with mice. The more curious a cat is, the more likely they will be to explore sounds, smells and other animals.  This makes them the perfect cat to deal with any small critters that may be lurking around.
• Playfulness – A cat that plays will be more likely to seek out further entertainment. This could translate into finding and catching mice that may be present around the home.  Though seemingly cruel, cats won’t always catch mice for food.  A smart, playful cat will ensure that the job gets done even if eating the mouse isn’t exactly something they’re looking forward to. Read about buying cheap cat toys here.
• Appetite – Logic would say that feeding your cat less will make it more likely to hunt mice for food, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Hungry cats tend to be worse at hunting than cats that are well fed.  If you want to make sure that your cat stays inquisitive and ready to pounce on any vermin, keep it on a healthy diet.  Happy cats will bring you treats they hunt, whereas hungry cats are too stressed to worry about that mouse walking across your living room.
• Age – Older cats are known to be significantly better hunters than kittens. Unless a kitten has an older cat around to teach it how to hunt, younger felines won’t do much good for your rodent issue.  Hunting is a learned trait, so if you know someone who has a cat with a gift for catching mice, consider having that cat teach a younger kitten to continue the behavior.

See how this wily old cat uses his sense of smell to hunt out a very well hidden mouse:

The tips above cover small, indoor areas.  If the area you’re hoping a cat will patrol is large or outdoors, experts suggest seeking out a feral or mostly-feral cat to keep outdoors.  These cats are more likely to have honed their hunting skills, and keeping an outdoor cat outdoors will allow you to avoid the harmful diseases that could plague an indoor cat that’s sent outside.