How many mice does a cat need per day? - briefly
A typical adult cat needs roughly one to two small mice each day to satisfy its protein and caloric requirements, though exact amounts depend on the animal’s size, activity level, and health condition. Larger or more active felines may require additional prey, while indoor cats usually obtain nutrition from commercial food rather than live capture.
How many mice does a cat need per day? - in detail
Cats require a specific amount of calories each day, and the number of rodents that satisfy this requirement depends on the mouse’s size and the cat’s physiology. An average adult domestic cat needs roughly 200–250 kcal per day to maintain weight. A typical house mouse (Mus musculus) provides about 20–25 kcal, while a larger field mouse can supply up to 30 kcal.
Based on these values, a cat of average size would need:
- 8–10 small mice (≈20 kcal each)
- 7–9 medium mice (≈25 kcal each)
- 6–8 larger mice (≈30 kcal each)
Factors that modify the count include:
- Body weight – heavier cats (6 kg or more) may require 300 kcal, raising the estimate to 12–15 small mice.
- Activity level – highly active or hunting cats can need up to 350 kcal, increasing the daily intake proportionally.
- Age and health – kittens, pregnant or lactating females, and cats recovering from illness have higher metabolic demands and may need 25–30 % more calories.
- Mouse size variation – wild rodents differ widely; a 30‑gram mouse supplies more energy than a 15‑gram laboratory mouse.
If a feline is fed exclusively on live or pre‑killed rodents, the diet must also meet essential nutrients such as taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A, and adequate protein. A single mouse typically supplies sufficient protein (≈5 g) but may lack certain vitamins, requiring supplementation or a mixed diet to avoid deficiencies.
In practice, most cat owners provide commercial food that is nutritionally balanced, using rodents only as occasional enrichment. When rodents constitute the primary source, careful calculation of caloric intake and nutrient supplementation is essential to sustain health.