What are some good cat breeds that are good with hunting mice or small insects?

Question

I've seen a couple of mice running around my house and I want to get myself a cat to probably hunt down the little things. A few friends say that a Siamese would be good. What do you guys think?

I know all cats can hunt but which breeds are the best ones?

Answer 1

"Cats have long been legendary and well appreciated for their fine mousing skills. From the cat fancying Egyptians to the seafarers who took them around the world to cat lovers of today, cats are mousers. Ever wonder why that is?


Believe it or not, cats have to be taught how to hunt, and more interesting, how to hunt specific animals such as mice. If a kitten doesn't see mother cat or another cat hunting & killing a rodent or a bird, then that kitten will not learn how to hunt that particular prey. In fact, there are cases where cats live easily side by side with rodents and birds (as pets) without predation. But once they learn, most cats become very good at it!
Take the case of Towser, documented to be the world's best mouser. Towser's claim to fame: a recorded tally of 28,999 mice. This record holding mouser lived in the Glen Turret Distillery in Scotland, a place sure to have lots of grain and therefore lots of rodents. Today a memorial to the great Towser still remains at the Distillery, even though other cats have come to pick up where he left off.

Perhaps because cats are taught mousing skills they tend to have different styles of hunting. Towser hunted for the pure thrill of it - he was very well fed his owners always said. Some live for the excitement of the pounce - a subtle, sneak-up and play style. Others just go-for-the gusto and attack with their whole self, full force. I suppose the cat who lives by the hunt is much more streamlined and efficient - a quick kill. But given the chance, a mousing cat can't resist the fun, whether a toy mouse (which my cats thoroughly enjoy) or the real thing. "

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What are some good cat breeds that are good with hunting mice or small insects?
I've seen a couple of mice running around my house and I want to get myself a cat to probably hunt down the little things. A few friends say that a Siamese would be good. What do you guys think?

Answer 3

Hunting Cats

Answer 4

Hi there...no one particular breed is predisposed to being better mousers than another. Rather it is the inclination of the individual cats personality. However, feral cats tend to be the better mousers since they are already accustomed to an outdoor lifestyle, but many are not ideal house pets. Again, it is dependent on the personality of the cat rather than gender or breed.

Ideally, it would be better to place mouse deterrents/traps to eliminate mice infestation or call a professional exterminator. These are more reliable than a cat and less messy since most cats like to leave parts of their kill around the home, which some people find very unpleasant.

Answer 5

I am a previous Veterinary Technician for several years, and I have some opinions for you. Yes, all cats are natural born hunters. When you get into specific breeds such as Siamese, Persian, or others, you get into some of the same problems such as getting a pure bred dog. First of all, they can be very expensive. Second of all, are more prone to have skin, ear, eye, intelligence problems because many breeders end up inbreeding them with brothers, sisters, cousins, fathers, mothers, to have more pure bred kittens and increase their profits. My best advice to you is to go down to your local animal shelter, and check out the kittens there. There are literally hundreds of thousands of kittens and cats that are waiting to get adopted, that make great pets, and all you have to pay is a fee that covers their spay or neuter and their vaccines (the adoption fee). You also will be saving their life. Ones that don't get adopted get put to sleep (euthanized). One of these cats/kittens will make you a wonderful pet. They are playful, curious, entertaining, and excellent hunters. I am sure you won't be disappointed, and you will be giving a kitten a second chance at life. Good luck!

Answer 6

Don't get a purebred for that. You can't predict what they'll do, but females have more of a tendency to bring you "gifts". They're trying to feed you as they would a kitten. They can be more friendly than males, but the one thing I've learned about cats is there is no fixed rule you can depend on. Feral cats--yes, if you can get one that's been socialized to humans. They can be very nasty otherwise, especially the males. I knew a small female called "Cricket" who was a complete loner. If I had been in the market for only one cat at the time (I wanted a pair) I would have taken her. We get crickets in our houses from time to time and they can drive you nuts. She existed to hunt crickets, and you noticed a few legs when you swept up. Barn cats are more likely to have been taught how to hunt and kill. "Spider" was a small female that you didn't really need to feed. The woman said she killed and ate rats. I said, "You mean mice, don't you?" "No," she said, "rats. Big ones. Hey, Paul, isn't it true Spider kills big rats?" "Nah," he said and scratched his chin. "We don't have no more big ones. She ate them all." Spider once chased a rat nearly her own size and killed it in a pile of manure, dragged it out, washed herself off, and ate the rat. Farms usually have extra cats, and they've mostly been taught to kill. They all have the instinct, but they have to get that knack of jiggling their teeth through the vertebrae in the neck. If you can go to a farm, that could be a good place to find a house-friendly mouser. They adjust well to being indoors once you start feeding them.

Even if they eat the mice, you'll find yourself sweeping up the paws and tail. They don't eat them.

Answer 7

I had a Manx he was a great hunter, if you can find one he will take care of your mice problem in know time. They are great cats, if you get one you will not be disappointed.

Answer 8

a cat will remove those pests quickly in a few days.
then what will you do with a cat that can probably live 12 to 18 years.depending on spay or neuter.
and any siamezey ive had needed allot of attention and they have
a tendency to talk allot. even at 6 in the morning. they require love and affection. don't forget shots that stop horrible deaths before
their time. and the cat food can..lets see...one a day and dry
food. $$.. you need allot of affection for them to deal with their cost
so... catch them mouses yourself with a jar, a lid and gymnastics.
l.w.

Answer 9

any cat would do the job, personally our farm cat that is now an indoor house cat is quite the mouser, he caugth two, but is afraid of spiders, but will go after flys and ocassionally lady bugs

Answer 10

females are usually the best hunters. if you can, start feeding a stray outdoor kitty, it may start hanging out and eventually become your cat. that's how i got mine. she is 'on the job' hunting every day. there is a reason we call her the 'ten pound tigress'.