Are you thinking about getting a cat to keep rodents at bay in your home or yard?
If that’s the case, you’re probably want to find out what are the best cat breeds for catching mice.
There are no shortage of cat breeds that you can choose from if you’re looking for feline friend.
Alternatively, you could head to your local animal shelter to adopt a cat in need of a forever home.
In this article, we’re going to highlight six types of cat that have a reputation for catching mice.
We’ll hear from four experts who will provide their insight into the best cat breeds for catching mice.
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American Shorthair
American Shorthair Cat (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Originally brought to North America by early settlers, the American Shorthair has a strong hunting instinct. Their muscular build, agility, and keen senses make them exceptional mousers, adept at tracking down and capturing their prey.
Suggested by Dan Capkin, Founder and Editor Of Petlovers.com
Bengal And Savannah Cats
Brown Bengal Cat outside (Photo: Adobe Stock)
While all cats are considered little predators, some stand out more so than others with their hunting capabilities and heightened senses. I personally think cats that are most closely related to wild breeds such as Bengals or Savannahs are excellent hunters. These cat breeds were created by mixing wild breeds of cats with domestic ones. This created a smaller, exotic-appearing cat with the best attributes of domestic and wild cats. Both breeds are natural athletes and adapted to catching mice.
Suggested by Paula Simons, Veterinary Advisor At PetNerdz
Maine Coon
Maine Coon cat (Photo: Adobe Stock)
If I had to pick one specific breed, it would be the Maine Coon. This breed has a strong natural hunting instinct and the ability to catch prey quickly. Physically, Maine Coons are perfect hunting machines They are large and muscular, with sharp claws and teeth, making them effective at catching and killing their prey. They also have a playful nature, which helps them to practice their hunting skills and keep them sharp.
That said, Maine Coon cats are expensive to buy, and I wouldn’t recommend taking a cat from a cushiony indoor life and let them free to go hunt mice in the great outdoors. If someone is looking for an outdoor cat to control mice, then I strongly encourage them to look at their local shelters for older cats that are accustomed being outdoors or find a farm with a litter of barn cats.
Suggested by Dr Wendy Wilkins, DVM, Editor And Owner Of Cat Bytes
Siamese
Siamese cat (Photo: Adobe Stock)
While perhaps not the first breed that comes to mind when considering mousers, the Siamese cat possesses a strong prey drive and is extremely agile. Their slender bodies and sharp reflexes allow them to quickly pursue and catch mice, making them an excellent choice for rodent control.
Suggested by Dan Capkin, Founder and Editor Of Petlovers.com
Domestic Cats
Black cat looks at some vegetables (Photo: Adobe Stock)
We have around fifty barn cats on our farm (some of them spayed/neutered, some of them not, we try to get them all done, but we always miss a few during the round-ups). The breed can be classified as ‘Domestic’ they range from long-haired, to short, brightly colored, to dull. We have some that look Himalayan, some that look Persian, and some that are obviously Maine Coon mixes. All of them, every single one, kills their own body weight or more in mice.
Suggested by Sondip Kumar, Founder Of Petlovers.com
