Why do cats eat rats and mice?

Answer 1

Long answer:

I've seen so many posts on this, and they all seem to get only halfway. Many of them say it's the taste, but that's only really half right. Cats (and most other mammals for that matter) do not have very sensitive pallets or taste buds, but like so many other mammals, they have a very keen sense of smell. Fish tends to have a very strong smell compared to other types of meats and foods, and their senses tell them that it is a strong source of protein, which cats find particularly appetizing. Not all cats are fish maniacs, however. While cats need protein to survive, felines have a tendency to be finicky eaters, and some cats just don't appreciate the smell (taste) of fish.

So really, it's the scent that attracts them. Just like when you pass by a restaurant that's serving some good-smelling grub- the stronger the odor, the more you want to eat. And so cats tend to like fish for the same reason. Fish isn't the only type of meat they like, however. Cats will eat a variety of proteins if they have a strong smell. My own cat goes nuts when I open a package of beef jerky (by the way, beef jerky is notrecommended for cats). The smell of it lures him to it- even if he doesn't know what it really is, he can smell that protein!

Another factor that may affect weather or not a cat will like fish is the diet it has maintained. As a cat gets more used to certain types of foods, they come to expect it in their diets, sometimes resulting in a "finicky cat" behavior if their food is changed or is served in a different manner. Since they have been scavengers and pets for thousands years, they are hardwired to return to the same place for the same thing day after day (conjecture), like pigeons do at an outdoor cafe or a public park.

For whatever reason, some cats just don't care for fish, but if your cat likes it, it's okay to feed it every once in a while, maybe a meal once a week tops (especially for adult cats), or just whenever you open a can of tuna, give your kitty a little sample if you like.

Answer 2

Because it is a natural thing for a cat to do. Cats, even our pet cats, are perfectly capable of safely eating a mouse as that is what they have evolved to eat, amongst other small animals and birds. Such small animals are easy to hunt and catch, and due to the size of the prey, the bones are easy to crunch up.

Cats are strict carnivores and predators, and will eat everything of their prey. The organs of the prey are full of essential fatty acids (Taurine, for example) and other nutrients that a cat needs. Even bones provide the cat with calcium and are easily broken down and digested in the cat's stomach.

Answer 3

Yes, cats like meat. Cats are called obligate carnivores which means they must eat meat to survive, as meat and other aspects of prey (such as organs and bone) supply all the nutrients and moisture a cat needs. Cats cannot synthesise several ammino acids, one being Taurine, so get these from fresh raw meat and organs.

Cooked meat, in comparison, has little to no nutrients in it as all the nutrients are easily destroyed when the meat is cooked or even heated for a short period of time.

A cat that doesn't get any of these essential nutrients will develop many health problems. Less meat means more "filler" in commercial pet foods, which offer little nutrition to the cat, despite adding the food with extra minerals and vitamins. The more meat the cat has in its diet, the better.

If you wish to feed meat as an occasional treat outside its regular diet, whether it gets raw or cooked doesn't matter too much. Raw meat offers teeth-cleaning benefits as the cat has to chew the meat in order to eat it, which removes any plaque present.

Answer 4

Cats, wild and domestic, are carnivores - meat eaters. Cats derive all their nutrients from prey; muscle, organs and even bone are digested and provide everything a cat needs. A cat will quickly become malnourished if its diet does not contain enough meat.

Answer 5

Actually cats aren't omnivores. They're carnivores. Their ideal diet is a high protein meat diet, and the small amounts of other nutrients they require are theoretically provided by the diet that their prey has eaten. I say 'theoretically' because most domestic cats don't eat prey, of course. So if you look on a bag of cat food you'll see it contains mostly meat with some supplements in it.

Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores. They can survive on all kinds of foods in addition to meat, including grains, vegetables, fruits, etc. They don't do well on high protein diets for prolonged periods, which is why it's not a good idea to allow your dog to eat your cat's food. :-)

Answer 6

Cats eat and hunt rats and mice because before cats were domesticated that was their natural prey and even in modern cats the instinct to hunt lives on!

Answer 7

their organs can not digest plants