What do cats do with rats? - briefly
Cats usually capture rodents, kill them, and either eat the prey or leave the carcass. Occasionally they may bring the dead animal to humans as a sign of hunting success.
What do cats do with rats? - in detail
Felines encounter rats primarily as prey, and their response follows a sequence of instinctive actions. First, a cat detects the rodent through sight, hearing, or scent, triggering a focused pursuit. During the chase, the cat employs rapid acceleration, sharp turns, and low‑to‑the‑ground posture to close the distance while maintaining balance.
Upon capture, the cat typically employs one of two handling methods:
- Killing bite – a swift bite to the neck or base of the skull, delivering a crushing force that severs the spinal cord or disrupts vital structures, resulting in immediate death.
- Stabbing bite – repeated, short bites to the torso or limbs, causing hemorrhage and incapacitation before the final fatal bite.
After the kill, the cat may:
- Consume the carcass – ingesting muscle tissue, organs, and bone fragments, which provide protein and essential nutrients.
- Cache the prey – transporting the dead rodent to a concealed location (under foliage, inside a hidden nook) for later consumption, a behavior observed in both domestic and feral cats.
- Leave the remains – discarding the body if satiated, if the prey is too small, or if the cat perceives a threat from larger predators.
Secondary behaviors sometimes accompany the primary predatory act:
- Playful batting – using paws to toss the rat, testing its vitality and honing motor skills.
- Cleaning – licking the mouth and paws after handling, which reduces bacterial exposure and removes scent markers.
Physiological mechanisms underpinning these actions include heightened visual acuity for low‑light detection, acute auditory sensitivity to rustling, and a muscular skeletal system optimized for explosive bursts. Neurochemical responses—elevated adrenaline and dopamine—enhance focus and reward during the hunt.
Overall, the cat’s interaction with rats combines precise sensory detection, efficient killing techniques, optional consumption or storage, and post‑capture grooming, all driven by innate predatory instincts.