How do cats kill rats? - briefly
A cat catches a rat by silently approaching, then seizing it with its forepaws and delivering a swift bite to the neck or spine, causing immediate incapacitation. The kill is completed by crushing the skull or suffocating the prey if the bite does not instantly stop the heart.
How do cats kill rats? - in detail
Cats hunt rats by exploiting a combination of sensory acuity, physical adaptations, and learned tactics.
Sharp vision detects the rodent’s movement even in low light. Whiskers gauge the distance to obstacles and the prey’s body, while acute hearing picks up squeaks and rustling. Once a rat is located, the cat initiates a stealthy approach, lowering its body, tucking its tail, and moving in short, silent steps to stay within the prey’s blind spot.
When the distance is optimal—typically a few body lengths—the cat launches a rapid sprint. The forelimbs extend forward, claws unsheathed, and the jaws clamp onto the neck or spinal region. A bite to the cervical vertebrae severs the spinal cord, causing immediate paralysis. Simultaneously, the claws grip the torso, preventing escape and inflicting severe tissue damage.
If the initial bite misses or the rat evades, the cat may employ a series of repeated attacks:
- Re‑position to a more advantageous angle.
- Deliver a second bite targeting the base of the skull or throat.
- Use the hind legs to push the rodent against a solid surface, increasing crushing force.
The cat’s muscular hindquarters provide the power needed to subdue a rat that can weigh up to twice the cat’s own mass. The flexible spine allows swift changes in direction, enabling the predator to follow erratic movements typical of a fleeing rodent.
After immobilization, the cat may chew the neck to ensure complete severance of vital structures. The remaining body is often carried to a safe location for consumption, where the cat ingests the soft tissues while discarding fur and bones that are difficult to digest.
Overall, the predatory sequence consists of detection, silent approach, explosive acceleration, precise bite placement, and repeated reinforcement until the rat is incapacitated and consumed.