Why Do Cats Kill Rats?
WouterWhile cats are known to hunt rats, they are often unable to defend themselves. The threat of being bitten by a cat or pecked by a cat can result in permanent damage. Additionally, cats are not as likely to kill larger prey such as mice or rats. Moreover, cats may be fearful of the presence of rats, which may make them less likely to attack them. However, this may not always be the case.
In one study, researchers installed infrared cameras at an industrial waste recycling facility in Brooklyn, New York. They monitored the activities of 150 feral rats living there. They found that while the cats tried to kill three of the rats, they only succeeded in killing two. This suggests that cats are ineffective in controlling the rat population.
In addition to preventing the proliferation of rat colonies, cat owners release feral cats to combat the problem. These cats are not good predators of rats, but they do manage to keep them at bay. In a recent study, a Brooklyn recycling plant reported two successful kills over a five-month period. During this time, the recycling facility was estimated to have 150 rats. Over the five months of the study, the cats also made twenty stalking attempts, including one that failed.
Although cats are capable of hunting rats without chewing their fur, the bones and flesh of these rodents are too tough for them. In addition, cats also have special teeth designed for catching prey and piercing flesh and chewing tough meat. The chewing requirement varies according to the region in which they live.
