Can Cats Help Get Rid of Rats?
WouterResearchers at Fordham University recently conducted a study to see whether cats can help get rid of rats. During a 79-day study, they monitored the effects of cats on rat populations. They found that cats had little impact on rat populations. However, these results could be misleading. Some observers believe that cats are killing the rats. Instead, cats are simply putting the rats in hiding.
Cats are nocturnal animals and patrol streets at night. Their scent is not particularly noxious to humans, but to rats, it’s potent. Although cats do not like to fight, they’re adept at killing and eating rats. Some cats chase rats for fun or affection.
While cats are renowned as killers of mice and rats, they’re not the best predators. City rats are incredibly large and ferocious. Their average weight is 330 grams, or more than 10 times that of a mouse. Although cats are able to kill them, their advantages and disadvantages are still outweighed by the risks they present to people. However, cats should be trained to avoid interacting with rats or other wildlife.
While cats can kill rats, they can also scare them away by leaving their scent. While this method is not as effective as poisons, it’s still a viable option for people who are trying to eliminate rat problems. The best way to do it is to pair up a cat with other rodent control methods.
