Can Mice Be a Silent Threat to Your Cat's Well - being

Cats are natural hunters, often chasing and catching mice as part of their instinctive behavior. While this may seem harmless—or even beneficial for pest control—interactions between your cat and mice can pose significant health risks. Mice can carry diseases, parasites, and toxins that may harm your feline companion. In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of mice to cats, the illnesses they can transmit, symptoms to watch for, and preventive measures to protect your cat from getting sick.

Can Mice Make Cats Sick?

Yes, mice can make cats sick. When a cat hunts, catches, or consumes a mouse, they are exposed to potential diseases, parasites, and toxins that the mouse may carry. These risks are particularly high for outdoor cats or cats living in rural areas where mice are common.

I. Disease transmission pathways

• Germs and Parasites Carried by Rats

Rats are carriers of a variety of germs and parasites, including plague, leptospirosis, typhus, paratyphus, dysentery, and trichinosis. These germs and parasites may be transmitted to cats through the feces, urine, and saliva of rats. If a cat eats food that has been eaten by rats, then the cat may become infected with these germs and parasites. Symptoms of infection may include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, etc. In severe cases, it may even lead to the death of the cat.

II. Bacterial Infection

• Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a common feline parasitic disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The feline host is the only animal on earth where this parasite can complete its entire life cycle. Cats usually contract the parasite by eating infected rodents. Cats with toxoplasmosis are usually asymptomatic, but in rare cases, cats may exhibit lethargy, gastrointestinal problems, and breathing problems. The most common way humans contract toxoplasmosis from cats is by ingesting the oocysts from contaminated feces, so it is important that we wash our hands after cleaning cat litter. Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans include muscle pain, lethargy, headache and fever.

• Yersinia pestis

Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of bubonic plague, and cats can contract this bacteria by eating infected mice. If cats have fleas on them, then people can also become infected. Symptoms of Yersinia pestis in cats and humans are actually very similar and include vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sore muscles, fever, enlarged lymph glands, oral lesions, weight loss and loss of appetite.

• Rabbit Fever

Rodents can also transmit rabbit fever, which is rare but contagious and potentially fatal. It can be spread through contact, contaminated water and even the air. You don't even have to touch an infected mouse; whereas your cat can be infected just by touching a mouse. Symptoms in humans include chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing, enlarged lymph glands and swollen eyes

III. Parasites from Mice

Mice can also carry parasites that infect cats. These include:

• Fleas and Ticks:Mice are often infested with fleas and ticks. When a cat catches a mouse, these external parasites can easily transfer to the cat. Fleas can cause intense itching in cats, leading to skin problems such as hair loss, scabs, and allergic dermatitis. Ticks, on the other hand, can transmit various diseases, such as Lyme disease (although less common in cats compared to dogs), ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis. Removing ticks from a cat's body can be a challenging task, and if not done properly, the tick's head may remain embedded in the cat's skin, causing further irritation and potential infection.
• Roundworms:Mice can be carriers of roundworms. If a cat eats an infected mouse, it can ingest the roundworm eggs. Once inside the cat's digestive system, the eggs hatch, and the larvae can migrate through the cat's body. In kittens, roundworm infections can be particularly severe, causing stunted growth, a pot - bellied appearance, and poor overall health. In adult cats, roundworm infections may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.
• Intestinal Worms: Such as tapeworms, which cats can contract by eating infected mice.
• Mites: Can lead to skin irritation and infections.

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IV. Cat's immune system

Although cats have a relatively strong immune system, not all germs and parasites can be effectively fought off by a cat's immune system. For example, the bubonic plague bacterium causes bubonic plague, but not every mouse carries the germ. If a cat eats a mouse that does not have the virus, naturally, there will be no problem. If a rat carrying the virus is eaten, domesticated cats and dogs are also highly resistant and hypoallergenic to it, and most of them can be naturally cured after infection, and the body will retain the plague-specific F1 antibody for a long period of time, so they will not be infected with plague if they eat the rat. However, if it is a stray cat, which may have low immunity due to parasites and other factors, then eating mice all the time may cause problems.

The dietary habits of cats may also affect their health. For example, domestic cats are now unable to hunt mice normally and cannot supplement taurine from outside. If the domestic cat wants to be healthy, it will have to rely on the pooper scooper to feed food containing taurine. In addition to taurine, lysine is also an indispensable nutrient for cats, which can enhance their immunity. If you can supplement taurine and lysine, you get two birds with one stone.

Symptoms to Watch For if Your Cat Catches a Mouse

If your cat has interacted with or eaten a mouse, monitor them closely for signs of illness. Common symptoms include:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Lethargy or weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Visible parasites (fleas or worms)

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Related: How to Know If a Cat Has a Fever

What to Do if Your Cat Eats a Mouse?

I. Observe the state of the cat

• Mental state

Carefully observe whether the cat is depressed. Normal cats should be lively and active. If the cat becomes listless after eating the mouse, always lying down, and lacks response to the surroundings and things it is usually interested in, this may be a sign of physical problems.
Pay attention to whether the cat's eyes are dull, under normal circumstances the cat's eyes should be bright and alert.

• Diet and water intake

Observe whether the cat is eating and drinking normally. If the cat shows obvious resistance to food and water, such as sniffing and walking away, or eating very small amounts, this may mean that it is not feeling well.
Also look for abnormal drinking behavior, such as excessive drinking or not drinking at all.

• Physical Reactions

Look for signs of vomiting or diarrhea in your cat. The nature of the vomit and feces is also important. If there is undigested food, blood or bile in the vomit, or if the feces are watery, bloody or other abnormalities, attention needs to be paid.
Check whether the cat's body temperature is normal, normal cat's body temperature is between 38 - 39.2 ℃, you can use a pet thermometer to measure.

II. Handling according to different situations

• No abnormal situation

If there is no abnormality in the cat's spirit, diet and body reaction after eating the mouse, no special treatment is usually needed. The cat's digestive system is able to handle prey like mice to a certain extent. However, it is still necessary to continue to observe the cat for 24 - 48 hours to ensure that the cat has remained healthy.

• Minor discomfort

If your cat is only slightly vomiting or having diarrhea, it may be because some component of the mouse has caused a temporary upset in the cat's stomach. You can start by fasting the cat for 4 - 6 hours to allow the stomach and intestines to rest.
At the end of the fasting period, provide the cat with a small amount of light food, such as boiled chicken (skinless), rice and other easily digestible food. At the same time, you can feed your cat some pet-specific probiotics to help regulate the gastrointestinal flora and improve digestion.

• Severe symptoms

If the cat has severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, extreme depression, abnormal body temperature, convulsions, etc., this may be a sign that the mouse is carrying harmful substances such as germs, parasites or poisons that cause the cat to be poisoned or sick.
In this case, the cat should be taken to the pet hospital immediately. On the way to the hospital, you can try to collect samples of the cat's vomit and feces so that the veterinarian can conduct tests to determine the cause of the illness more quickly and provide targeted treatment. If poisoning is suspected and within a short period of time after the cat has eaten the mouse (usually within 2 hours), you can try to induce vomiting after consulting the veterinarian, but the operation of inducing vomiting needs to be done carefully to avoid hurting the cat.

How to Protect Your Cat from Mice-Related Illnesses

I. Keep the indoor environment clean

• Clean the cat's living area

Clean the litter box regularly, at least once a day. A dirty litter box is prone to harboring bacteria, which may attract mice to feed on it and also increase the risk of your cat contracting germs. Wash your cat's food and water bowls and replace them with fresh water daily. Food scraps spoil easily and become a target for mice, and bacteria from spoiled food may be transmitted to your cat. Regularly clean your cat's resting area, such as the litter box and cat bedding. Replace soiled bedding and keep the environment dry and tidy to reduce the number of places where mice may hide.

• Manage household clutter

Organize piles of clutter in your home, such as cardboard boxes and old clothes. Mice like to nest in cluttered areas, and clearing this clutter reduces the habitat for mice, which in turn reduces the chances of your cat coming into contact with them.
Store food properly, especially grains and cat food. Use sealed containers to store food to avoid food odors attracting mice.

II. Carry out preventive vaccinations and regular medical check-ups

• Inoculate with relevant vaccines

Consult your veterinarian to vaccinate your cat against diseases that may be transmitted by rats, such as the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccine. Although it is not directly against all diseases transmitted by rats, it can enhance the overall immunity of the cat and reduce the risk of infection.
For cats living in areas with high rat populations, toxoplasmosis vaccination may be considered (if available, as the effectiveness of toxoplasmosis vaccine is somewhat controversial but still has some preventive effect).

• Regular Health Checks

Take your cat for a full physical examination on a regular basis as recommended by your veterinarian, such as at least once a year. The veterinarian can find out whether the cat is infected with rodent-borne diseases or parasites at an early stage by means of examination and blood tests.
During the physical examination, the veterinarian can check whether the cat has signs of parasitic infection, such as intestinal parasites, and carry out deworming treatment in a timely manner.

III. Preventing cats from contacting mice

• Keeping cats indoors

The indoor environment is relatively controllable and can reduce the chances of cats coming into contact with rats. At the same time, indoors can provide a safe, warm and clean living space for cats.
Provide indoor cats with enough toys and activity space, such as cat climbing frames and cat toys, to meet the cat's exercise and entertainment needs and reduce the cat's desire to go out and look for prey due to boredom.

• Setting up protective barriers

If your home has an outdoor area such as a yard or garden, you can install a protective net or fence to prevent mice from entering the house while avoiding contact between cats and mice outdoors.
Seal up holes and crevices in your home, such as holes in corners and gaps in doors and windows. These places may be the channels for rats to enter the interior, and sealing them can effectively reduce the invasion of rats, thus protecting the cat.

IV. Use of deworming and preventive medication

• Regular deworming

According to the cat's age, living environment and other factors, deworm the cat regularly in vivo and in vitro. Common internal deworming drugs can prevent and treat parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms that may be transmitted by mice.
In vitro dewormers can prevent and kill parasites such as fleas and ticks, which can be carried by mice and transmitted to cats.

• Preventive medication

In areas with high rat activity, preventive medications such as those against toxoplasmosis infection can be used under the guidance of your veterinarian (if the right product is available and is compatible with your cat's health condition). These medications can reduce the risk of cats contracting rodent-related diseases to a certain extent.

FAQs

Should I take my cat to the vet after catching a mouse?

If the cat appears healthy and does not show any unusual signs, such as no vomiting, diarrhea, depression, loss of appetite, etc., there is usually no need to take it to the veterinarian immediately. Because it is in a cat's nature to catch mice, under normal circumstances, healthy cats are capable of handling the potential risks associated with contact with mice.

If a cat catches a mouse that may have been poisoned, such as catching a mouse in an environment where rodenticides are used, or if the mouse shows obvious signs of poisoning (e.g., convulsions, etc.), then the cat should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if the cat does not show any symptoms for the time being, it needs to be closely monitored as there may be an incubation period for rat poisonings.
If the cat's own immunity is low, such as young cats, older cats or cats with diseases of their own, after catching the rat, you may also consider taking it to the veterinarian for a checkup to prevent the possible spread of disease.

Do I need to clean my cat after it kills a mouse?

Yes, cats need to be cleaned after killing a mouse. Mice can carry all sorts of bacteria, parasites or dirty substances that can get on your cat's fur. You can use a wet paper towel for pets to gently wipe your cat's mouth, paws and body parts touched by the mouse to remove dirt and odor.

If the cat's fur is stained with more dirt, you can also bathe the cat with a pet-specific shampoo, but be careful that the water is at the right temperature (about 38 - 40°C) and that the water does not get into the cat's ears and eyes.

When the cat bites and kills the mouse, the mouse's blood and hair may enter the cat's mouth. You can try to provide the cat with some clean water for it to drink and rinse its mouth. If the cat is more cooperative, you can also use pet-specific oral cleaning products, such as pet oral spray or oral wipes, to gently wipe the cat's teeth and gums to reduce the chance of bacteria growth.

What are the symptoms of mouse poisoning in cats?

Conclusion

While mice may seem like harmless prey for your cat, they can carry a host of diseases, parasites, and toxins that pose serious health risks. As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to monitor your cat’s interactions with rodents, recognize the signs of illness, and take preventive measures to keep your feline companion safe.

By providing a safe environment, regular veterinary care, and minimizing exposure to rodents, you can help your cat stay healthy and happy—no matter their hunting instincts.