If a cat will kill rats or not depends on the cat. Some house cats will toy around and eventually kill the rats they find, but more often than not they will not work as an effective anti-pest control. On the other hand, feral cats are more likely to deal with rats efficiently.
If you’re thinking about adopting a cat to deal with a rat infestation, it’d be better if you tried other methods. A quick call to pest control can help you fix your issue right away.
Most house cats need (and prefer) a stable environment, one where they don’t have to chase rats to eat. If you’re still dead-set on adopting a cat for that reason, make sure you get the right one. The killer instinct varies from cat to cat.
What is the best cat to kill rats?
There is no cat breed better than others to kill rats. Unlike dogs, there are no hunter cats. All cats have, more-or-less, the same hunting skills and deal with pests the same way. You need to look for the killer instinct on a case-by-case basis.
The only way to know whether a cat will exterminate nearby rats is by playing with it. You need to make it chase toys around and see how it reacts to different stimuli. The more energy and dexterity, the better.
All breeds have lazy cats, the same way they have killer cats. You need to find the right one before you adopt it, regardless of breed.
Is it safe for cats to catch rats?
You shouldn’t rely on a domesticated cat to deal with your rat problem. Most cats can get sick from eating raw rat meat – especially if it’s a rat that used to live in the sewers. It’s not safe for your cat to catch rats.
Pest rats, unlike pet rats, are prone to disease and bacteria, something you want nowhere near your other pets. If your house cat decides to hunt, kill, and eat a pest rat, it could be an issue. Hantavirus, rodenticide, and many other issues are what your cat can get if it goes near a pest rat.
You should also keep in mind rats aren’t as docile as one would think. A cornered rat is rather fierce. Your cat might end up injured after a bout with a rat. Calling pest control is always a better idea.
Would a cat be friendly to a pet rat?
Cats and rats have a bad reputation when it comes to dealing with each other. In reality, they could live together without a problem. The thing is, if there’s a problem, your cat could end up killing or injuring your pet rat – it’s better not to risk it!
If you own both a pet rat and a house cat, it’s better to keep them separate. Let them live in different rooms or in places where they cannot reach one another.
You should also know that rats are, sometimes, terrified of the scent of cats. Putting them together can cause mental issues for your little pet rat.
You can adopt both a rat and a cat, but keep them separated!