2006-09-05 22:08:20 · 14 answers · asked by ben287392 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
It's usually something they learn from their mothers. If her mother didn't know how to hunt or if she was seperated from her mother at an early stage, then she won't be able to hunt.
2006-09-05 22:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 cats (and have also had 2 in the past).
They tend to either catch mice or birds. Saying that, one of the cats we have now catches anything that moves and the other catches nothing! Oh, and the catcher was taken from his mother too young, the vet told us. However, it is a good thing that we had him. If we had not, he would probably have died - he was totally flea-infested and had very bad worms, even though he was only 4 weeks old. So it does not make a difference that he was not taught by his mother! And obviously both cats are treated the same (fed the same etc.) He is a much smaller cat than the other, so perhaps size makes a difference - although the first cat I had was large, but loved birds!
2006-09-06 05:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
over the years i've observed that:
- young cats will play with anything, so if a mouse is nearby, they'll play with it, i.e. catch it. They then may eat it, or not, it will depend on their appetite
- mature cats will not play with anything and everything. From time to time they will still want a bit of fun, and playing with a mouse is somthing they like, but they will not do it on a daily basis
- IF HUNGRY, mature cats will start making efforts and will go back to regularly catching mice. And you can tell it is for food not fun because they will often eat it within seconds of having caught it, as opposed to playing with it for an hour
Bottom-line: if you want your cat to catch mice, under-feed it (and make sure that the neighbours don't make up for what you don't give it!). Of course this will not work if your cat is too old, or you had its claws cut / removed (please no).
2006-09-06 05:47:19 · answer #3 · answered by AntoineBachmann 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is more the female cats that will catch and kill mice. It is instinct to a female. For the males, they just play with them; like a catch-and-release sport. Some cats just plain don't have the instinct to bother with them, but most would still play play with them for something to do.
2006-09-06 08:18:33 · answer #4 · answered by kat g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you know it doesn't catch mice? It's up all night while you're asleep. All cats catch mice if given the opportunity.
2006-09-06 05:16:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
perhaps because you feed your cat. If it gets food everyday why would a cat go through the trouble of catching mice.
2006-09-06 05:10:36 · answer #6 · answered by Spaceman 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your cat is too FAT to catch the mice. I know mine is.
2006-09-06 05:14:03 · answer #7 · answered by Henry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat's a kind cat....too humane to attack the three blind mice.
2006-09-06 05:15:37 · answer #8 · answered by citrusy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the cat must have been taught that it should do friendship with mice
2006-09-06 05:10:37 · answer #9 · answered by ♀guardian of angels♀ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the cat must have realised that mice are not as foolish as they look.
your cat may be lazy. it doesnt get hungry etc etc
2006-09-06 05:12:32 · answer #10 · answered by TS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋