I'm getting a kitten but I asked the owner to keep her until the mother cat teaches her how to kill mice. The only problem is I don't know how long it takes and we're ready for our kitten!
2006-06-12 03:58:54 · 17 answers · asked by beezkneez 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats have to learn to kill - it is not instinctual. If you don't know that - you obviously cannot answer my question.
2006-06-12 04:07:51 · update #1
Cats have to learn to kill - it is not instinctual. If you don't know that - you obviously cannot answer my question.
2006-06-12 04:07:52 · update #2
It's completely false that cats are instinctual killers. They definitely have the instinct to chase and capture prey, but they actually have to be taught by their mothers (often practicing on their littermates) how to "hunt" - which involves much more. First a kitten needs to learn how to stalk prey, otherwise they will often find that chasing it down leads to an unsuccessful capture. Next they actually have to be taught to recognize that prey is a food source to be eaten!
So yes, killing and eating prey is a learned behavior. As soon as a kittens eyes open (about 10 days after birth) they begin learning by exploring and experimenting. Kittens become hunters by observing and imitating. A mother cat will begin weaning her kittens at around 8 weeks. At that time the kittens are able to climb, run, jump, and they've already mastered the art of the chase and the attack by practicing on each other. Around this time a mother cat will bring prey that she has already killed and will eat it in the presence of her kittens. The next time, she will bring dead prey but leave it for her kittens to consume. Finally, a mother cat will bring home live prey and allow her kittens to kill and eat it.
Many people believe that when their cat brings them dead prey, they are bringing them a "gift". That is not the case at all! What they are doing is trying to teach you how to hunt. They are saying...here is some food for you...eat it. Cats are so cool aren't they???? :-)
2006-06-12 05:39:30 · answer #1 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know EVERYTHING there is to know about cats, but I know quite a bit.
I believe all cats have been created with that "instinct" within them. They all have the ability to kill mice, but not all cats do. I'M sure there are sever different reasons for this.
I mean think about this... two cats that are "indoor" cats have kittens. None of these cats have been out in the wild, and there are no mice in the home for a mother to show her kittens how to kill mice or birds for that matter. The kittens grow older, lets even say an adult now.... this cat sitting in a window cil watching outside at all the scenery, he could flip out and drool over a mouse, bird or squirrel that he (cat) sees..... how does that cat know he wants those critters if he's never had one? It's instinct.
If the cat got out and had the opportunity to actually catch one he may have to pratice to be successful in catching and killing one, but the instinct is already there.
Some cats are just "scatty cats". ha ha ha.
Haven't you ever seen the rare cases on the television show "Animals Funniest Videos" where a cat is napping with the pet bird, or where all the pet hamsters are nestled up with the sleeping cat?
If you want a kitten, I'd say get him now. If you want a pet, strictly for the purpose of killing mice, maybe you could find someone who has a barn cat a year or two old and already knows how to survive in the wild and fend for himself.
Hope this helps
2006-06-12 04:35:45 · answer #2 · answered by addicted2stamping 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To some degree kittens are born with the killing instinct. But to really know how to do this and hone in on their skills, they must be properly taught by their mother. If your kitten's mother is a good mouser, she will pass along her tricks to her children and or child. Not all mother cats know this for themselves. Often is the time, humans or other things seperate the mother cat from her kittens and vica versa.
Kittens are just like kids. There are some who learns very quickly and can pick up on things right away and others that are slow in learning and needs to be shown again and again by their mother. It's hard to know for sure what age your kitten can be gotten by you.
Ask the person(s) to let you know when they see your kitten hunting. It may take a few weeks.
Good luck to you and your new addition to your family! Enjoy!
2006-06-12 04:10:20 · answer #3 · answered by Lyndee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont hink there is a certain age... its just by instinct. The mother does not teach the kitten. So just take it now, besides you'll get to see it as a tiny kitten by not waiting untill it catches a mouse.
2006-06-12 04:03:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
um..unless u have a mouse problem...who cares. if the cat is wiened then u should be able to have it. they can kill mice when they start to play with things and jump all around the house. but i dont see why that would be a factor on when u can have it. its instinct.
2006-06-12 04:01:26 · answer #5 · answered by ♪♫jessy♫♪ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cat's are born with a hunting instinct so i would say that the cat already knows how to kill mice but won't actually hunt until it's strong enough...
2006-06-12 04:00:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mother teaches them at around 3 months, but they need to have a mouse around to be taught.
2006-06-12 04:02:39 · answer #7 · answered by ☼Jims Brain☼ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a natural instinct. The mother cat doesn't have to teach them.
2006-06-12 04:01:16 · answer #8 · answered by supercute321 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
6 months
2006-06-12 04:01:25 · answer #9 · answered by SHERWOODS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are predators and hunting is instinctive. She will hunt mice (if you have any), or bugs or dust balls or feathers.
So, as long as she is weaned and ready, (6-8 weeks?) take her home.
2006-06-12 04:01:20 · answer #10 · answered by alter_tygo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋