HELP how do I stop my 7 year old cat bringing in mice to play with, but losing them in the house?

Question

I have tried both ordinary and humane mouse traps, I have removed the cat food and made sure there is nothing for it to eat, but cant seem to catch it. It has been in the house for 2 weeks now. Every so often she catches it, but just plays with it and then lets it go again.

Answer 1

You can't stop cats doing this. It is a sign of the relationship your cat has with you that she brings her 'toys' home so you can play with them as well.

Answer 2

Put peanut paste in the trap it's irresistable... if it's the wire type they can get in but can't get out again, the peanut paste makes it slippery so they don't have a chance at getting out.

Now for the cat, you need to redirect her to more appropriate activities and give her an outlet to use her stalk hunt and kill instincts. Environment enrichment: Play with her with feather wands, give her table tennis balls, toys which are light enough to roll around and which are different teztures and materials. You can put one into a shoebox and cut holes in the side slightly smaller than the ball and tape the lid on. Paper grocery bags are another great item, lots of places to hide and they enjoy the sounds. Move her food bowls around each day and hide kibble in places where she has to hunt to find it. You can put some into a paper towel core and give it to her, she will enjoy trying to get the food out (you can buy kong balls for this purpose too and stuff with fish paste or tuna but they're a bit messy and you shouldn't feed fish regularly as it causes Steatitis -Yellow Fat Disease you can put kibble in them as well which is ok)

There are many things you can do to keep your cat entertained and satisfy it's natural instincts.

Answer 3

The Joys of having pets its such good fun.
Having once had cats myself it what they do, all its trying to do it to show you how good it is at catching mice time and time again.
What you need to get shut of mice is 1 or 2 of those electric sonic rodent deterent things. They work and work very well.
My parents live in a rural area right next to fields and since they get them no mice and the doors "when they are home that is"

Answer 4

Don't discipline your cat because you cat is just bringing you a reward by bringing you the mice and if you discipline your cat that will only hurt the cats feelings.
I suggest you ask a vet about this problem and follow his/her instructions as to how to break your cat from the rewards you are getting.
Good luck.

Answer 5

You won't stop it happening. Cats don't catch mice to eat by the way, only as a love gift for you. Be flattered!

Answer 6

A big bell on my cat stopped it catching mice in the 1st place

Answer 7

She's definitely a mouser! Let nature take its course. How would your cat react if you blocked access into your house? If she merely meows at the door when she wants to come in, you could let her in each time -- without the mouse.

Answer 8

here is a web site to try and check it all out the comments and pictures are good
http://www.smithsax.btinternet.co.uk/
Must say its annoying to have a mouse but it sounds kinda sweet that your cat plays with it lol or maybe the cat is waiting for it to be fattened up.

Answer 9

Your cat is doing this bcos she loves u !!
a cat will bring home dead animals as a present for you , or in your case live animals lol u should actually praise your cat for this .... sounds strange i know but its true ...

Answer 10

i think cats come in with mice and try to give it to u for a present...but the mouse might run away and thats how it happens...but to stop that....is to keep he mouse outside!!!!!!!!