How many mice does a cat catch per day? - briefly
Domestic cats usually capture no more than one or two mice per day, often none when food is provided by owners. Feral or outdoor cats may catch up to three mice daily, depending on prey abundance.
How many mice does a cat catch per day? - in detail
Cats capture a variable number of rodents each day, typically ranging from zero to several individuals. Field observations of outdoor and feral felines report an average of 0.5 – 2.5 catches per animal per 24 hours, while well‑fed domestic cats often record fewer than one capture daily.
Key determinants of daily catch rates include:
- Habitat: Open fields, barns, and grain stores provide higher prey densities than suburban gardens.
- Cat type: Ferals and barn cats exhibit stronger hunting instincts than indoor‑only pets.
- Hunger level: Food restriction increases motivation, leading to more frequent attacks.
- Prey availability: Seasonal fluctuations in mouse populations directly affect capture numbers.
- Age and health: Younger, healthier cats hunt more actively; older or infirm individuals show reduced success.
Empirical studies support these figures. A 2012 longitudinal survey of 150 barn cats across the United States documented 1,230 mouse kills over a 12‑month period, averaging 0.28 kills per cat per day. In contrast, a 2017 controlled experiment with indoor domestic cats provided ad libitum food and recorded a mean of 0.03 kills per day, confirming that supplemental feeding suppresses hunting output.
Comparisons reveal distinct patterns:
- Outdoor/feral cats: 0.7 – 3.0 captures per day, depending on local rodent density.
- Barn cats (partially fed): 0.3 – 1.5 captures per day.
- Indoor cats (well fed): 0 – 0.1 captures per day, often reflecting opportunistic play rather than true predation.
Understanding these metrics assists wildlife managers and pet owners in estimating the ecological impact of feline predation and in designing effective rodent‑control strategies.