Why do cats play with their food (mouse) before they eat it?

Question

I saw this clip on the internet where the cat plays around with the mouse for a good half an hour, then eats it. The cat lets the mouse go, then traps it with its claws. Then throws it around a bit. Lets it go a few times again, then traps it again. And so on and so forth....

Why do they play with their food before they eat it?

Answer 1

Cats by their very nature are hunter/predators. They play with there food for 3 reasons.
First, the "pouncing" and "batting" cats do is to wear their pray down and tire them out.
Second, The same way cats play with string or other cat toys has something to do with their predatory perception.
Third, it may be a dominance thing. Deriving some pleasure from letting them go only to catch them again.

Answer 2

Cat Playing With Mouse

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do cats play with their food (mouse) before they eat it?
I saw this clip on the internet where the cat plays around with the mouse for a good half an hour, then eats it. The cat lets the mouse go, then traps it with its claws. Then throws it around a bit. Lets it go a few times again, then traps it again. And so on and so forth....

Why do they play...

Answer 4

It's how they hunt in the wild. Our kitten even chases my cumputer mouse cause she "thinks" it's a toy :-))

In the wild, cats have to hunt their own food. They are not given cat food in a bowl everyday. When cats kill mice and birds they are just hunting and using their instincts like they would in the wild.

They are just being instinctive and using their hunting skills :-)) For more about why cats do what they do :
http://www.breeders-choice.com/About/whycatsdo.html

Have a fun day filled with questions :-)))

Answer 5

My cat eats can food and bag food.I don't thinks he likes to eat mice-it's more like vengeance.He'll catch one,hold it hostage,scare it,then bite off just the head and upper torso.I don't think it was a meal for him,more like a ritual.He's only had three mice in his life;he would have starved by now if that's all he got to eat in his seveenteen years.

Answer 6

Cats like to play just as much as they like to eat. One of my cats will put a piece of her food in her paw and throw it a round and bat at it before she eats it. It is too funny, I guess she is easily entertained. Its just their instinct.

Answer 7

I think there trying to like kill the mouse before your cat wants to eat it.

Answer 8

Before we domesticated the cat. it hunted its food that's what they do. it comes naturally to them.

Answer 9

Because they are curious about their food. Or they are just evil...

Answer 10

So they can play.