Why do cats catch mice and rats? - briefly
Cats hunt rodents as part of their innate predatory instinct, which supplies essential protein and sharpens their hunting skills. Capturing mice and rats also reduces local pest numbers, benefiting both the cat and its environment.
Why do cats catch mice and rats? - in detail
Cats hunt rodents because the behavior satisfies several biological imperatives.
The primary driver is nutrition. Small mammals provide protein, fat, taurine, and essential micronutrients that support feline growth, maintenance, and reproduction. In the wild, prey constitutes the sole source of calories; domestic cats retain the same metabolic requirements and instinctual need to obtain these nutrients from live food.
A secondary factor is instinctual predatory circuitry. Neural pathways in the cat’s brain, especially within the hypothalamus and amygdala, are hard‑wired to respond to motion, shape, and scent cues typical of mice and rats. When these stimuli are detected, a cascade of hormonal signals—dopamine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin—activates the chase‑and‑capture sequence.
Energy efficiency also plays a role. Rodents are abundant, relatively easy to locate, and require modest effort compared to larger prey. The cost‑benefit ratio of expending energy to catch a mouse yields a net positive caloric gain, reinforcing the behavior through operant conditioning.
Territorial and protective motives contribute as well. By reducing rodent populations, cats diminish competition for resources and lower the risk of disease transmission to themselves and nearby humans. This indirect benefit enhances survival odds for the cat’s own lineage.
Finally, evolutionary history has selected for individuals that successfully captured and consumed small mammals. Over generations, genes associated with acute hearing, night vision, flexible spine, and retractable claws have been reinforced, making rodent predation a defining characteristic of the species.
In summary, cats pursue mice and rats because the prey satisfies dietary needs, triggers innate neural mechanisms, offers high energetic returns, supports territory health, and aligns with evolutionary adaptations that have been continuously reinforced across millennia.