How does a cat fight with a rat?

Question

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How does a cat fight with a rat? - briefly
A cat stalks the rodent, then launches a rapid pounce, gripping with its claws and delivering a bite to immobilize the prey.

How does a cat fight with a rat? - in detail
Cats rely on acute vision, hearing, and whisker sensitivity to locate a rodent. When a potential prey appears, the feline initiates a sequence of actions that can be broken down into distinct phases.

Detection

Light‑sensitive retinal cells capture the rapid movements of the rat.
Pinpointed sounds of squeaking or scurrying trigger the auditory cortex.
Vibrations transmitted through the floor are sensed by the cat’s vibrissae.

Stalking

The cat lowers its body, aligns the spine, and tightens the hind limbs.
Muscles contract in short, silent bursts, advancing the predator a few inches at a time.
The tail may flick to maintain balance while the eyes maintain fixation on the target.

Pounce

Hind legs generate explosive force, propelling the cat forward and upward.
Front paws extend, claws unsheathed, aiming for the rat’s torso or neck.
The body rotates slightly to align the bite with the prey’s spinal column.

Capture

Claws grip the rodent’s fur and skin, immobilizing limbs.
The mouth clamps onto the neck, applying pressure to the trachea and carotid arteries.
Bite force, measured in dozens of newtons, quickly disrupts blood flow.

Kill and Secure

The cat may deliver a series of rapid bites to ensure fatal injury.
After the rat ceases movement, the feline often drags the carcass to a safe spot for consumption or storage.
If the cat is not hungry, it may release the prey after confirming death.

Throughout the encounter, the cat continuously monitors the rat’s escape attempts. Reflexive adjustments—such as a sudden pivot or a re‑strike—are executed within milliseconds. The combination of sensory precision, muscular coordination, and predatory instinct enables the cat to subdue a rat efficiently.