MICE advice needed. Are they dangerous to a cat?

Question

My uncle lives in a small apt, he's in his late 70's ,his apt has become over run with mice, previously not a problem because of his cat,(who lived to be 23) whose presence was sufficient deterrent for visiting mice and if it wasn't he killed them. So now I have the dilemma of deciding how to manage them, I have a problem killing them, when using the glue traps , I would listen to the crying and suffering for sometimes up to 24 hours, and I am still haunted, I would put the glue traps and mouse upside down in toilet for 5 mins so they would at least die fast. but I can't do this anymore, Is it better to get another cat? My Uncle would be thrilled at having company, but since there are so many is it dangerous to the cat? It shouldn't take long for the mice to realize there is a cat in the house..Is a kitten too small to handle it? Impossible to stuff steel wool into all the cracks, there are too many. I worry if there are so many mice to begin with if this can hurt a cat, I am not sure

Lisa G = saying I am not compassionate is so unfair, thats why I had drowned the two, it was way more humane then 24 hours of a slow death.I had tried to release a mouse that was stuck but I made it worse and YES I FEEL GUILTY. I was and still am horrified by what I did, so I don't trap them at all any more, in my house I only see a few from time to time so I try to deter them by putting bread out of their reach and cleaning crumbs from under the fridge and stuff like that. I don't leave things to draw them out. , My uncles cat lived to be 23 and the dog 17, I have a rescue dog now, but my uncle is old and hasn't gotten another pet because it may outlive him and he worries about who would care for it, plus it's hard to carry cat litter for him, I will therefore arrainge delivery of litter and food etc if thats what we decide for him, I just don't want to endanger a cat by so many mice, and a cat from the shelter is good as long as it has it's claws and is affectionate

Answer 1

you may want an older cat. over a year preferrably. otherwise you can get humane traps and release them away from the house.

Answer 2

Well, the only problem I can think of is that cats can get tapeworms from eating mice, but you can always talk to your vet about routinely deworming the cat.

As far as the mouse problem--you should consult a professional exterminator on how to best rid the problem. I realize that having an exterminator rid the apartment of the mice can be pretty expensive, but at least call and see what they have to say, get an estimate, and see if they have any recommendations on how to take care of the problem yourself. I also think that sticky traps are much less humane than the kind of traps that kill them instantly.

Answer 3

Another cat is a great idea to get the mouse problem under control again. It is also the most humane way. I suggest going to an animal rescue and asking about an active cat with skills.

As long as it is not a tiny kitten, it should be fine. An active cat will be a much bigger threat to the mice.

Answer 4

Why don't you call an exterminator? The mice will not be bad for a new cat, unless they are diseased, but if there are that many, he has a serious infestation. Mice can reproduce as quickly as up to every 19 days and they can have upwards of 10 mice in a litter. I would recommend calling a professional in.

Answer 5

You would be better to either hire an exterminator or put down poison. A kitten isn't going to be able to kill all those mice for a good long time, and the disease that mice carry .. well cats just shouldn't be around that disease, let alone your uncle... Poison works well, quick and as long as you don't have any cats or dogs around, there are no dangers for anyone but the mice. They are dirty and germy!

Answer 6

sounds like a lot of mice. a kitten probably wouldnt know what to do with them and it would probably be not much bigger than the mice. kittens are also more to handle. go to a local shelter and save an older cat! your uncle will love the company, the cat will get a good home with a surplus of fresh food, what could be better?

Answer 7

I agree with the other answers saying to get an older cat. Save it from the pound and it wont live as long. Another ida would be to get a plastic owl and put it outside. Mice aren't really bright, and are often scared of the statue.

Answer 8

Bluntly,by drowning innocents,you've already shown just how compassionate you are.

Why do you care if a kitten can handle it or not? If not,I'm fairly certain you'll just throw it away when it dies.

Don't get an animal,and if your uncle condones what you did to those mice,don't let him get another animal. Grow some compassion,love and understanding,then look into it. This may come off as rude or cruel,but it's no worse than what you did to those mice.

Answer 9

an adult cat who is a mouser would be fine.
However one word of caution. To keep the cat from getting sick
make sure to give it tape worm meds monthly and advantage flea drops. Atleast until the mouse situation is cleared up.
Reason being is mice can carry flea and other nasty things.
fleas can carry tape worm larvae. cat eats flea while grooming
cat gets tape worm. Also keep cat vaccinated to prevent any nasty
things the mouse might be carrying .
Morgaine

Answer 10

Maybe you could get a bigger cat from the pound if you are concerned. Although, I don't think mice are any problem for cats. ; )