How are mice dangerous to cats? - briefly
Mice can transmit parasites—including fleas, ticks, and tapeworms—and bacterial pathogens such as salmonella, leading to infections in felines. Their sharp teeth may also inflict puncture wounds or dental damage during predation.
How are mice dangerous to cats? - in detail
Mice present several health risks to domestic cats.
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Disease vectors: Rodents commonly carry pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Leptospira. When a cat ingests an infected mouse, these bacteria can cause gastrointestinal upset, fever, and kidney damage.
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Parasitic transmission: Fleas, ticks, and mites often reside on mice. Cats that hunt and eat rodents may acquire these ectoparasites, leading to anemia, skin irritation, and secondary infections. Internal parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii and various nematodes, can also be transferred through consumption of raw rodent tissue.
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Rodenticide exposure: In areas where poison bait is used, mice may retain anticoagulant residues in their bodies. A cat that eats such a mouse can suffer from internal bleeding, coagulopathy, and potentially fatal hemorrhage.
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Physical injury: Live mice can bite or scratch during capture. Their sharp incisors may puncture oral tissue, while vigorous struggle can cause bruising or dislocation of a cat’s jaw.
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Choking and obstruction: Small bones or furballs from a whole mouse may become lodged in a cat’s throat or gastrointestinal tract, resulting in choking, vomiting, or intestinal blockage that requires surgical intervention.
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Allergic reactions: Repeated exposure to mouse proteins can sensitize some cats, leading to dermatitis or respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and coughing.
Veterinarians recommend monitoring cats that hunt rodents for signs of illness, including lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or abnormal bleeding. Prompt diagnostic testing and treatment can mitigate many of the hazards associated with rodent predation.