Depends on the cat, Papou. Many years ago, I took my housecat out into the garage to get a field mouse. That cat patted the mouse on the head, the terrified mouse shrugged and ran behind the cat and got away.

This past fall, we had several mice get into the house (EEEK!) and my two (2) almost four-year-old kitties chased them all around the house, carried them around in their mouths, threw them in the air....but...weren't too good at killing them. (Except possibly one that they brought to me dead...but it could have been a heart attack or other possible causes!) LOL!!

I think they have to be pretty hungry if killing them is what you have in mind!

Char (from the frozen tundra of Madison, Wisconsin)

There are much better options IMO. Don't forget, even if the cat does kill all the rodents, you are still stuck with providing the cat with a safe home, medical care and food until it's (hopefully) natural demise.

Alexa

Char, I have had similar experiences...LOL
My neighbor has 5 cats that come around in my gardens almost on a daily basis. I like that...and I hope that the cats are not fed too heavily...otherwise they may carry them in their mouths simply to play with them...

Papou

Cats hunt because of their natural instinct. They seldom kill to eat if it is a beloved pet.

Yesterday I watched my 10 mo. old kitten spend 30 minutes chasing leaves in the wind. I also love when the two kittens double team one of their prey.

My old cat gave up hunting about three years ago and I became infested with shrews and chipmonks without her hunting skills. Yesterday, she had a mouse/shrew in her mouth - put it on the porch in front of my door for me to admire - then proceeded to jump up to her food bowl for a real snack. Who says you can't teach an old cat a new trick, particularly when you are competing for attention from two kittens.

The thing I hate most about hunting cats is they leave me the bodies to dispose of - yuk!

I have heard that the Calico is the all time tops when it comes to hunting, don't know why this is, I have had 2, and they were good mousers, but then I had a 28lb black and white male cat that beat the pants off of anything in the hunting department (hence his size) you could not put this cat on a diet, he would not allow it, he would just go out and get his own dinner.

I count on my cats to help keep the mice and the bunnies in check. Yes, I have to dispose of the "presents" they bring me, but that's a small price to pay for having my plants and shrubs saved from being bunny snacks.

Mine is a good hunter.
Loves to pounce on anything moving...including your feet under the covers.
He's a inside cat most of the times but we do let him out when the weather is nice. He loves to roam (in our yard only) and look for mice. And he leaves his catch at the back door for us to admire also....what a good boy!

I turned a 5-year-old barn cat into a house cat when we moved from the farm. Even after declawing, the cat still managed to catch and eat my son's escaped hamster. (We found "parts" - son was NOT happy!)

Two days in a row my old girl cat has caught a shrew. Yesterday she was marching through the yard with her prey and I went to the deck to try to see what she caught. She saw me and came meowing LOUDLY with her prize. She came up the steps and placed it right at my feet. I kept telling her what a good girl - she was so loud and proud.

I guess the praise the two kitty boys are getting has restored her hunting instincts, thankfully.

When we moved to the country we inherited a big yellow tomcat named "Harvey". He is very stubborn and lazy. He will lay on the stairs on the porch and make you step over him. We are not even sure that he is alive about half of the time. Then one day the most amazing thing happened! A bothersome squirrel had taken over our bird feeder and would do the "squirrel bark" when one would approach it. We were sitting on the porch when suddenly Harvey came to life ! He jump up and tackled that squirrel with the determination of a prizefighter! I ran to get the broom to break up the commotion but when the fur had settled Harvey had already destroyed the enemy. He had a cut on his face and a tear on his ear but he was fine. After the battle he just walked slowly and stiffly away from his victim and resumed his nuisance position on the steps like nothing had ever happened. It was the darndest thing that I have ever seen! It is like it was Harvey's time in the sun or something!!
Denny

Definitely depends on the cat. Mice took over my shed when I started storing alfalfa meal and corn meal in there. I turned my 2 cats loose in there. One of them was not even slightly interested and wanted to go back in the house. The other one was interested, but he was too lazy. Then the dog showed up - a bull terrier/Australian shepherd mix. You want to talk about patience, cunning, agility, and speed! That dog killed 12 mice in one day! She'd give the mouse one chomp that killed it, toss it out in the yard, then go back in the shed for the next victim. She's definitely the mouser of the family!

Deanna

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Speaking of cats killing things, just an hour ago I nearly stepped on this thing. (it was still warm) Not really sure what it is, but we have lots of them. My three cats bring 'em home all the time. I don't know if this is a mole, vole or shrew, or if there's even a difference in the three????
If these are the critters that I hear do harm to hostas and my cats kill them, then I got to say that's the ONLY thing my worthless cats do right.
Here's a list of the wrong things that they do outside:

Lay dead things at the bottom of the step for me to step on.

Scare away & kill the birds that I buy food, feeders and birdbaths for.

Leave paw prints all up and down my car and hubby's truck.

Hang on the screen doors, ruining every one.

Jump on shelves in garage knocking down glass bottles spreading nails & screws on the floor for the truck tires to find.

Lay down in front of me as I walk and trip me

Potty in my mulch.

Poop in the garage.

Now, for the wrong things that they do inside:

Jump up on table, stove and counter, eating leftovers before I can put them away.

Jump up and sit on table scaring away the very birds that I love to watch out my window.

Quickly run and lay down on the steps as I'm walking downstairs!

Scratch at my carpet, sofa, loveseat and chair.

Jump up on my desk and walk on the keyboard, pressing just the right keys to mess up everything that I was trying to accomplish.

Walk behind our computers, unplugging important wires.

Walk under our computer desks, unplugging important wires.

Pick holes in my pantyhose.

Puke up disgusting hairball things on my new carpet.

Forget about the litter box, thinking that mynew carpet is the garage floor!

Fight with each other, making jungle-like noises in the middle of the night.

ATTACK MY MOVING FEET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!

SO, to keep this a hosta-oriented thread I will say again that if that dead critter is what harms hostas, than my worthless cats do one thing right.

I'd love to find a good loving home(s) for 2 of the 3 cats that I have.
They need to go live somewhere else where they'll be loved by a cat-lover. (Sorry, but I just don't like cats) They are 1 1/2 yrs old. Brother & sister.
Both have been fixed. I am willing to drive 100 miles in any direction from Ashland County Ohio to deliver. Any takers?

And I thought my cats were a pain... If I were you, I'd keep them just for the rodent control. Rodents have ruined more plants in my yard than I care to think about. My cats are indoor cats.

Deanna

Sorry, Sassy, but your cats have done you no favor with in the killing of a shrew! They do not harm hosta, and
in fact may eat the slugs that do and a multitude of insects, as well.

If you do a search for "shrews" on this forum you will no doubt bring up many previous discussions
on the subject of shrews vs. voles!

The good news is that if they catch shrews they probably will do a very good job of killing voles!

So, why DO YOU have 3 animals you obviously can't stand?

janice

Good question, Janice.

I've always had dogs, and for many years raised small exotic animals. I love animals, but after owning a cat I learned that they just don't have any redeeming quality. OF COURSE, THAT's IMHO. I actually thought
I found one good thing that they do do, but now that you say
that they are killing the critters (shrews) that kill the slugs, well, I guess the cats have NO redeeming quality at all.
(Again, IMHO). The reason I have 3 cats?...well, I live in the country and city people dump their pregnant unwanted cats on lonely country roads. The poor hungry cats then find their way up to my house. I made sure that never happened again. All 3 cats then went to the vet. You asked, "So, why DO YOU have 3 animals that I obviously can't stand?" Because I can't find a good home(s) for them. Around here, putting up a sign or ad for free cats does not assure that they'll get a good loving home.
I know of coon hunters that get free cats to train their
coon dogs with. True story. I also know of snake owners that get free kitties for their snakes' lunch. Another true story.
As much as I dislike my distructive cats, I do want them to
be happy in a loving/safe home. Until I find that home(s),
I will continue to feed, house and complain loudly about them.

The other side to the shrew story - yes, they will do damage. They love to tunnel under plants and create air pockets so the roots are not touching the soil and you lose either the whole plant or part of the plant. They tunnel under newly planted things and turn the roots skyward. If you don't catch it fast enough, they lay there and die.

If they continue to tunnel in your yard, it makes the invasion of moles and voles really easy because they have existing tunnels waiting for them. Having a yard and garden with tunnel eruptions all over it can also be dangerous if you step through the tunnel and twist your ankel/knee or just fall.

Yes they eat earthworms but they also eat Japanese beetle larvae. They also eat other soil born larvae before they hatch out to annoy you. They may eat slugs but not enough that I don't still have to use slug bait.

Sassy you are definitely not a cat person. Don't you have any no kill humane type societies in your area. Too bad you don't have any outside areas to make them into outdoor cats. My cats are outside cats and have two different heated, insulated houses plus a heated water bowl. They also have a barn at their disposal. I love my outside kitties, outside.

Well, there you go, there's always a good side/bad side to everything!
I guess you have to make a call on what you are willing to put up with, with anything! LOL

Except with hosta--they're a win/win choice for me in my garden, always!

I applaud your mercy-ethic, sassy! I hope you will find "good" homes for your 2 unwanted kitties.
Unbelievable the stories you have related about the hunters and snake lovers!
It just blows my mind to imagine anyone would be "comfortable" doing such things.

One of the latest disconcerting things I've heard is that there are "those" who are using cats
and dogs for animal furs in coat designs! Good grief! And I thought "dog and cat/rat" soup was
just way over the top, for me. If we were starving, with no other source of protein,
of course you'd have to, but not on our side of the world, in most cases anyway!!

hostared, do your cats stay in your yard because you have a fenced yard? I ask because I want cats so badly, but am afraid they will not come in when called. I mean, I want them to stay in my yard and I don't think that is possible, no?
Pat

No Pat, they won't stay in your yard, not even with a fence. Cats love to wander and explore.

Deanna

I have three cats and of the three, the little Calico is the most deadly hunter. The other two will hunt, too, but she's more avid about it. :) I'm quite fond of my kitties.

Diann

Pat, make them indoor cats then take them out only when you're with them and I bet they'll hang with you!

Most cats always come when called and they do always return, if they can, once they've bonded with you.

Generally speaking, most female cats are the best hunters, since instinctively they are wired to hunt for more
than just to feed themselves,i.e. kittens! That's why the reports about the calicos, since calicos are always
female. Now if you happen to find one that's a calico and male--you have a very valuable animal!!!

Good to see you're still out there, Pat!! :O)

janice

Calicos are good hunters because genetically they are usually females. Females tend to be better hunters because they have to feed their young.

My Gwynne was an awesome hunter. She would bring back rabbits bigger than her. It was comical to see her stumble along with a biggie. She was a fearless cat and would tackle anything. I half way expected to see one of the neighbor's cows in her jaws sometime. . lol

However, she just couldn't get along with the rest of the barn cats. . she ran them all off!

Mask was a nicer cat but had a nasty habit of crawling up dad's bird feeding station and waiting for a bird. I think he expected one to just fly into his mouth. . .dad found him another home. Good thing . . he got a bit rough with my hostas while birding my gardens.

We only have one cat now. . . Mephibosheth. He wouldn't eat a dirty mouse if his life depended on it. . .it's like.. . Hey lady! What's wrong with the can opener?? And couldja please heat the victuals up a bit this time? The only things he attacks are my feet and hands in the hosta patch. . .scares the bejeebers outta me sometimes. . . . I'll be on my knees weeding. .just day dreaming about my T-Rex reaching full maturity and . . BAM. . the next thing I know I am wondering if T-Rex has just jumped on my hand!. . lol

I have had great luck using the PVC pipe bait stations that someone mentioned on the forum a couple years back. Worked great on my rodent problem!

Sidney

I'm really loving all these "cat stories"! Keep 'em coming!

janice

Papou, I would say yes, most cats are good hunters. But like most here, I wouldn't suggest getting them for this purpose. These days, vets recommend keeping cats indoors unless leashed. I never had much luck with teaching cats to walk on a leash and how could they hunt?

Interesting perspective on the calicos. I had several as a child as my preference was for female kitties and with the three colors. My calicos were not good hunters, perhaps because they were spoiled rotten with the indoor good life. The best hunter was a huge red tabby tom. He was the first cat I remember and was mostly an outdoor cat. I mostly remember the "presents" he left on the doormat-- many of the presents were as big as he. His night wanderings/hunting excursions were probably the reason for his disappearance.

My favorite cats were the most dog-like-- people-friendly and playful. If you want this personality in a kitty, look at the personality of the mother. In my adult life I've become more of a "dog person." But interestingly, my favorite dogs have cat-like attributes-- independent and co-incidently, they are hunters!

M-A

Janice, janice, Janice: Thank you for the good tip about bonding with them before taking them out. May I assume you actually take your Ragdoll outside then?

Deanna, thank you for your response.

Well, now Pat--I have to confess I don't often take my "Raggie" outside because of my intense fear of losing him.
He is so beautiful (to me) that I fear he would be grabbed up and kept by anyone who loves cats
and may not have the integrity and mindset to be concerned about where the cat came from.

Their natures arw so wonderful and dog-like and fearless that they do not know when to run
from someone or an animal such as a cat-hating dog--another reason I fear taking him out.

I have done that a couple of times, taken him out, but he has to stay on my lap or a leash. I have had other cats,
though, that I did do that with! It works--they may wander from home sometimes, but they always return,
as I've said, as long as they "can", not being harmed or taken in and kept inside by someone else!!!

If you get a "Raggie" keep it an in-door kitty and especially if you have to pay full-price for one! If you do, you will "no doubt"
not want to risk losing him and your "investment". I didn't have to pay "market-price" for mine and I can't believe the way the
prices are sky-rocketing now! Good grief--we need to "get a grip" about setting those kinds of "prices" on our pets!!!
I love my "Raggie" but I would not pay what they are asking these days to have another one!