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Do cats really eat mice, or is it just a tale as old as time, from Tom and Jerry to Lucifer to Disney’s Jaq and Gus? Cinderella. But are these fictional representations realistic? It depends on the cat.

We spoke to feline behaviorist Ro Delrose from fabulous feline in Chicago to learn about the real relationship between cats and mice, whether cats really hunt and eat small rodents, and whether having a cat will solve the mouse problem in your home or business.

What is a mouse?

Have you ever heard the term “mousetrap”? A “mousecatcher” is simply an affectionate nickname for cats that hunt mice and rats. Pretty simple. The term is more appropriate for cats adopted specifically to hunt mice in environments such as barns and farms, such as Delrose’s childhood farm.

“A big part of the reason I understand cats so well is because I grew up on a farm near Morris, Illinois,” Delrose says. “We had a corn farm, so we had a lot of voles and over 20 barn cats in our heyday. I spent a lot of time with those cats hunting them, watching them hunt and interacting with each other.”

There is no special course that cats must complete for the nickname “mouser” to ring true. If your cat has hunted and caught even one mouse, you have a mouse catcher.

Why do cats hunt?

Every cat has hunting instincts, whether indoors or outdoors. For them, hunting is a game, one of their favorite pastimes.

“From the cat’s perspective, (hunting) is mostly about fun,” Delrose says. “The interesting thing is that cats don’t necessarily have the instinct to kill; they have the instinct to catch. They probably don’t kill (a mouse) on purpose.”

What happens if my cat eats a mouse?

However, sometimes a cat willpower Kill and eat a mouse, especially if it used to be an outdoor cat that had to hunt for its own food, Delrose adds. If your cat ingests a mouse, keep a close eye on it.

“While it’s completely normal for cats to eat mice and other rodents, it’s not without risk,” says Jenna Stregowski, RVT, pet behavior and health editor at Daily Paws. “Potential dangers include pathogens (such as bacteria), parasitespesticides and injuries from eating bones and large pieces of cartilage.

If you suspect your cat has eaten a mouse, be on the lookout for:

Plus, you never know what that mouse was carrying before your cat got to it.

“All cats need routine parasite prevention, but this is especially important for cats that eat prey,” says Stregowski.

Will mice stay away if I have cats?

many people say adopt a cat It is the key to solving a mouse infestation. But is this true? Delrose says yes, having a feline friend or two can deter mice from hanging around your house.

“In Chicago, when the winter is really bad, mice are willing to take a chance and wait until a cat sleeps,” Delrose says. “However, I think it’s less likely. In my current apartment, where I have three cats, the exterminator spent about three minutes looking for mice before spotting my cats and leaving.”

But even if you don’t have mice for your cat to chase away (which hopefully is all of us), it’s vital that you satisfy your cat’s need to hunt.

“It’s very important to address the hunting instinct in cats,” says Delrose. “If you don’t give them enough hunting, they will hunt their friends.”

How to stop unwanted hunting

According to Delrose, whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, one truth is universal.

“There are a million naughty behaviors that arise when cats are bored,” says Delrose. “If they are bored and don’t have enough time to hunt, they could hunt a dog or you.” If you are having problems with your cat biting you or seemingly attacking you out of nowhere, it is likely that his hunting instinct is not being adequately satisfied.

The best way to prevent your cats from chasing friends around the house is to schedule and structure play time every day, preferably in the evening. “Giving up toys and using automatic toys is not enough,” says Delrose.

How to play correctly with your cat

Delrose recommends following the three-round play method to ensure your cat’s needs are met.

“Doing multiple bursts is how cats get more tired,” says Delrose. “Playtime and hunting are different for cats, for dogs, and for humans.”

Cats will play with a variety of different toys, but if you want to activate those hunting instincts, a fake mouse toy or pulling almost anything on a string will do the trick. Delrose recommends making realistic movements with any toy you choose to simulate a real hunt.

“Think of it like a good book, game, or movie. If you can immerse your cat in playtime enough that he can suspend his disbelief, then he’ll feel the same satisfaction.”

Here’s how the three rounds of play break down.

First Round

This round is the longest, about 15 minutes or however long it takes your cat to become exhausted.

“They will breathe heavily, cool down and rest,” Delrose says. “Then they will be ready to go again.

Second Round

This round is much shorter than the first, around five minutes. The second round ends with your kitten stopping again to rest and displaying the same behaviors as the first round. Then, after a short rest period, prepare for one final round, the shortest of the three.

Third Round

Finish your gaming session by playing for another minute or two, followed by a snack or meal. Feed your cat after playing, either a couple of treats or your full dinner, It is a very important and natural conclusion.

“It will make (your cat) feel like ‘I went hunting and finally caught the prey and ate it,'” Delrose says.

This structured playtime can do wonders for curbing mischievous behaviors. Cats are intelligent animals and will understand that playtime is the right time of day to get into mischief and play. Play time is as necessary as a proper diet.

“Once you figure out what your pets need, they become friendlier!” Delrose says.

Viva Raw LLC is voluntarily remembering A batch of five turkey pet food recipes contaminated with Listeria monocytogenesa foodborne pathogen that can cause illness in both pets and humans.

The recall includes the following five products, all part of Lot #21244that were sent to customers between May 16 and June 28, 2024:

• Viva Turkey Land for Dogs: Lot #21244

• Viva Turkey for dogs in pieces: Lot # 21244

• Viva Turkey for Cats: Lot #21244

• Viva Pure Turkey: Lot #21244

• Viva Beef and Turkey for Puppies: Lot #21244

The lot number of each affected product is printed in blue on the left side of each product label. If you discover that you have products from lot 21244, please contact Viva Raw for a refund by sending an email info@vivarawpets.com before safely discarding remaining product.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that humans not touch contaminated food products with bare hands. To dispose of, place contaminated food in a sealed plastic bag while wearing gloves and throw it in the trash. Disinfect all areas that may have come into contact with contaminated product.

To date no illness has been reported and although rare, Listeria monocytogenes It can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in pets. Infected pets may be asymptomatic or have the following symptoms:

Humans infected with Listeria monocytogenes You may experience nausea, vomiting, pain, fever, and diarrhea.

If you or your pet has been exposed to one of these contaminated products, you should contact your veterinarian and/or healthcare provider as soon as possible to prevent spreading the foodborne pathogen to others.

Grilling burgers and filling them with delicious toppings is a summer rite of passage. You may even be tempted to let your dog enjoy this treat; his puppy dog ​​look certainly suggests he wants to do it. But can dogs eat hamburgers? It’s complicated.

we talk to Mondrian ContrerasDVM, of Carol Stream Animal Hospital in Carol Stream, Illinois, and member of the Pumpkin Veterinary Advisory Board on what you should know before feeding hamburgers to dogs.

Are hamburgers safe for dogs?

When it comes to sharing a burger with your favorite dog, preparation and portion size are the two most important things to consider before offering them something grilled.

Preparation

“A plain, fully cooked burger is the best option,” says Contreras. “Avoid burgers with salt, onion, garlic or other potentially toxic spices“.

Lean ground beef is your best choice, as feeding your dog high-fat foods can cause negative health consequences down the road, including pancreatitis.

“High fat content is a well-established risk factor for pancreatitis in dogs,” says Contreras. “We’re not sure exactly how high fats cause pancreatitis, but we think they overwhelm the pancreas, which can lead to cell damage and inappropriate release of enzymes, causing inflammation (pancreatitis).”

For these reasons, it is best for your dog if you cook the burgers yourself rather than giving him a burger from a restaurant. This way you will know exactly what your dog is eating.

Serving Sizes

Additionally, it is important to remember that your dog’s daily caloric needs are different than those of an adult human. Contreras provides the following general guidelines for a dog’s daily caloric needs.

• Small dogs (10 pounds or less): 200 to 300 calories
• Medium dogs (11-30 lbs): 300 to 500 calories
• Large dogs (31-100 lbs): 500 to 800 calories
• Giant dogs (over 100 pounds): 800+ calories

“A 4-ounce lean beef burger (90% lean/10% fat) has approximately 220-240 calories, the full daily caloric intake of a small dog and half that of a medium dog,” says Contreras.

If you want to share a burger with your pup, the best option is a small bite of a plain, fully cooked burger, and skip the bun.

What parts of a hamburger can dogs eat?

If you can’t resist giving your dog a few bites from the table, the good news is that there are many other common burger toppings that your dog can enjoy with fewer restrictions, such as:

What to do if your dog eats a hamburger

If your dog steals an entire burger off the table (bread and all), take a breath. Eating more than your daily caloric needs once is not as bad as becoming a habit.

If you’re concerned, it’s never a bad idea to call your vet if you’re unsure of the consequences of your dog’s burger binge.

Your veterinarian may instruct you to come visit or resolve the situation yourself at home as follows:

• Monitor your dog for any symptoms of an upset stomach, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
• Skipping your dog’s next meal to empty his belly
• Be careful with playing time so as not to aggravate having a full stomach

Other foods suitable for dogs

There are also many human foods not related to hamburgers that are safe to share with your pupincluding:

While fruits and vegetables are not as indulgent as a hamburger, they have several nutritional benefits for your dog. And a table brochure is still better than no brochure, right?

Most dogs don’t need any motivation to devour their dinner. Some dogs even gobble down their dinner too quickly. But a chocolate lab named Bo asks him for a small favor before eating it: a kiss on the nose.

Learn more about the adorable Lab’s nose kiss requirement below.

All about Bo’s kisses before dinner

While babysitting her neighbor’s dog, TikTok user Cassidy Barnard came across an unusual request from her canine client. Bo, your neighbor Labrador retrieverHe patiently waits for a kiss on the nose before beginning to eat each meal.

Barnard uploaded an adorable compilation of the habit to TikTok with a caption that reads, “My neighbor’s dog Bo needs a kiss on the nose before he eats his food and my heart can’t take it.”

The internet has understandably gone crazy over Bo’s pre-dinner routine. Since it was posted three days ago, Barnard’s TikTok has racked up more than 10 million views, 2 million likes and 11.6k comments, with one user commenting what we’re all feeling: “Not to be dramatic, but I would die for this dog.”

How to show affection to your dog

Bo definitely appreciates the nose kisses, but Not all dogs are fans of human kisses.. And since they can’t tell us to “stop” with words, be sure to control your initial reaction before making it a habit.

There are many other ways of showing affection that are more universally accepted by doggos.

Instead of kisses or hugsattempt:

A cat named Rayne Beau has been safely reunited with her family more than two months after she went missing during a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. But not before he managed to travel almost 900 miles!

Learn more about this kitten’s walk on the wild side and his eventual return home.

Camping trip gone wrong

Benny and Susanne Anguiano of Salinas, California, have gone camping with their cats before, so it was a no-brainer that they would accompany them on the couple’s June trip to Yellowstone National Park. But one night on the trip, poor Rayne Beau got scared and ran away.

The Anguianos spent the rest of their trip trying to find their missing kitten, but to no avail. They made the heartbreaking decision to leave Rayne Beau behind before returning home. But Susanne said the universe gave her hope that her cat was still there when the couple left the park.

“We were driving and out of nowhere these double rainbows appear, and that brought everything together for me,” says Susanne Anguiano. This had to be a good sign: rainbows are Rayne Beau’s namesake.

Two months later, the Anguianos finally received surprisingly good news. Rayne Beau managed to walk to a shelter in Roseville, California, more than 800 miles from Yellowstone. What’s more, Rayne Beau reportedly also prevented a coyote attackaccording to Benny Anguiano.

Remember to microchip your pet

Although Rayne Beau’s journey was brave, the shelter was eventually able to contact the Anguianos thanks to Rayne Beau’s microchip.

“Definitely microchip your cat or pet and register it online,” says Susanne Anguiano. “We would never have gotten them back if that hadn’t happened.”

Microchipping your pet is inexpensive and makes an incredible difference. The return rate to the owner of a lost microchipped cat is 20 times greater What if the cat does not have a microchip. Additionally, the procedure to microchip a cat is non-invasive and only takes a few minutes.

If your pets are already microchipped, that’s great news! Just remember to update your pet’s. microchip contact information if you move or change your phone number.