Which Cats Are Best at Catching Rats?
WouterA study in Baltimore found that cats are not very good at catching rats. The reason is that the rats are much larger than the mice. In fact, some cats may actually be afraid of them. These cats also may lack the killing instincts necessary to hunt mice. Moreover, if the cats are too spoiled and accustomed to living indoors, they may not see the point in catching mice. This is why the upbringing of cats is more important than their breed.
Fortunately, some breeds of cats are good at catching mice. The Japanese Bobtail and the Persian are two breeds that are excellent mousers. In their native land, the Japanese Bobtail was used to trap rats in silk factories. They are also among the oldest cat breeds and are revered as a sacred cat.
Besides killing rats, cats can help humans by keeping rodents in check. The Prime Minister’s Office in London adopted a tabby cat from a dog and cat home, which is now considered to be one of the best rat-catchers. The tabby cat, who lived in the prime minister’s office, killed more than two thousand mice in 23 years. In London, the “world champion” ratter caught 12,480 rats in six years.
Despite the study, scientists have not yet figured out the exact mechanisms by which cats catch rats. The researchers analyzed more than 300 videos filmed during the interactions between cats and rat colonies. The results are surprising. While a cat may be the best at catching a rat, it may not be the best choice to protect your home.
