Today, the modern feline pet is a lazy and spoiled furball we all love to pet and snuggle with (even if they don’t want to). But we all know that cats are very good hunters, especially for the most unwanted pests in people’s homes — rats and mice. So, do cats keep rats away? The short answer is: sometimes, yes. A cat’s scent and presence can discourage rats from moving in, but whether your cat will actually get rid of a rat problem depends almost entirely on that individual cat’s hunting instinct. A pampered indoor cat is not the same thing as a barn cat that’s been catching its own dinner since kittenhood.
But do cats keep rats and mice away effectively, and can we count on our fluffy, purring companion to help in the fight against unwelcome guests?
TL;DR
- Cats have been used as rat and mouse deterrents since the dawn of human civilisation, when wild cats hunted rodents in crop fields and barns.
- A cat’s scent — including proteins in its fur and urine — triggers an innate fear response in rodents, which can discourage rats from entering a home.
- Many modern pet cats have lost their hunting drive after generations of selective breeding, and rats quickly learn to ignore a cat that doesn’t actively hunt them.
- Feral cats, stray cats, and certain hunting breeds are far more effective at catching rats than typical indoor pets.
- Cats are more reliable against mice than against rats — large adult rats (Norway rats can weigh up to 500g) are often too aggressive for a domestic cat to confront.
- A cat works best as a preventive measure, not a cure — it cannot reliably eliminate an existing rat infestation.
- For a serious infestation, professional pest control is the right call. A cat can complement that, but it cannot replace it.
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The Origin of Cats Keeping Mice and Rats Away
Historically, cats domesticated themselves about 8000 years ago, at the dawn of human civilization. In Ancient Egypt, they were worshipped as gods, and with good reasons.
Human civilization appeared because our ancestors started growing crops. And, if there are crops, there are also barns to keep the crops in. These barns were the perfect place for mice and rats to invade. And a rodent invasion of the only food source of an entire city or village could mean a whole year of famine.
Luckily, the wild cats learned where the populations of mice and rats like to gather and made the crop fields and barns their hunting space. When the people saw how the wild cats got rid of their enemies, they started to accommodate the predators and eventually started worshipping them.
This way, people didn’t starve to death, and the wild cats received food and accommodation. Over the years, they evolved into the small domestic cats we have today.
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Can Today’s Cats Keep Rats and Mice Away?
Cats deter rats primarily through scent. A cat’s fur, urine, and gland secretions contain chemical signals — including proteins known as Mups (major urinary proteins) — that trigger an innate fear response in rodents. Rats that smell a cat in the area often stay away. However, many modern pet cats no longer hunt actively, and rats in urban environments are quick learners. If they detect that a particular cat poses no real threat, they can learn to ignore it within days.
Even if a cat isn’t actively hunting, its very presence can dissuade rodents. The smell of a cat, including its fur, litter box, and even traces of saliva, might cause mice and rats to avoid your home since they link these odours with predators. That said, this deterrence effect is strongest when no rat problem exists yet. Once rats are already settled in, scent alone rarely drives them out.
Since we started breeding cats selectively, there are cats that have never hunted rodents for generations. And in the meantime, rats and mice have been evolving to survive in the wild with tons of other predators. They can learn fast, and it takes them a very short time to realise that the cat in question will not attack them. Rats in busy UK towns and cities are particularly bold — they’ve adapted to life alongside humans, foxes, and a dozen other threats. A lazy house cat isn’t going to change their behaviour for long.
Still, there are also lots of cats that still have their hunting instincts intact. These are mostly street cats and other cats that, for any reason, have been born in the wild and had to learn to get their food by themselves. This is the type of cat you need in your home.
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Which Type of Cat Is Best for Keeping Rats Away?
If you don’t have a cat and you’re thinking of borrowing one to get rid of mice, make sure the cat won’t shy away from rodents or lounge around watching them. Here’s what to look for in a cat that’s effective at pest control.
- A cat from a working cats programme. A working cats programme gathers stray and feral cats to hunt pests. Phone your local shelter or humane society and ask if there is a programme like this in your local area. If there is, you have a solid starting point for your rodent problem.
- A stray cat. Stray cats are most likely to be mousers since they were born on the street and had to survive on their own. If you can find a friendly street cat, this is your best option. You can also look for such in your local shelter. If you happen to find a pregnant stray cat, you can care for the kittens and let the mother raise them as hunters as well. This way, you have a long-term solution. Of course, don’t forget to neuter and spay them all in order to control their population.
- A feral cat that shows signs of taming. Street cats are good and all, but in some cities there are lots of feral cats roaming the streets. These are cats that never had any contact with humans (or only had bad contact), so they would never get close to you. Still, there are ways you can tame a feral cat, and if it’s possible for you, they may prove even more useful than the normal domestic street cats.
- A hunting breed cat. Some cat breeds are better at hunting pests than others. These examples include Maine Coon, Siberian, Siamese, Burmese, Manx, Turkish Angora, and Japanese Bobtail, among many others. A high-instinct breed is far more likely to catch rats than a typical indoor pet — but always learn about the personality of the specific cat before adopting it.
- A barn cat. Barn cats are ideal for this since they are used to living outdoors, and they get a thrill from hunting. They can be put to good use around your home, however, if they get used to living outside, you will have to put their food around the yard as well. Bear in mind that cat food left outside can attract urban foxes and other wildlife.
Will Cats Keep Rats and Mice Away?
Cats can reduce the risk of a rat or mouse problem, but they cannot reliably eliminate an existing infestation.
Cats can and do kill rats, particularly younger or smaller ones. But large adult rats — the Norway rat is the most common species in the UK and can weigh up to 500g — are often too aggressive and too big for most domestic cats to confront. A cat that’s never had to fight for its dinner isn’t going to go after something that might fight back.
Mice are a different matter. They’re smaller and slower, which makes cats considerably more effective against them. The deterrent effect is genuinely stronger for mice than for rats, which is worth knowing if you’re trying to decide whether a cat will help your particular situation.
Because of their innate hunting instincts, cats are excellent at keeping mice away. However, one cat might not be sufficient if there is a significant rodent problem in your house. Even the most experienced feline hunter cannot handle the problem of mice and rats since they can proliferate so rapidly.
For severe infestations, professional pest control is the best option. Keeping a cat around can be an excellent strategy to deter rodents from ever entering your home — but once they’re already in, you need more than a cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats kill rats?
Yes, cats can kill rats, but it depends entirely on the cat. Feral and stray cats with active hunting instincts are most likely to do so. Large Norway rats — the most common UK species — can weigh up to 500g and are often too big or aggressive for a domestic cat to tackle. Smaller rats and young rats are more vulnerable. Don’t rely on any single cat to clear an infestation on its own.
Are rats scared of cats?
Rats have an innate fear response to cat scent — specifically proteins found in cat urine and fur. However, urban rats are highly adaptive. If they repeatedly encounter a cat that doesn’t hunt them, they learn to ignore it within days. The deterrent effect is strongest in homes where no rat problem has taken hold yet.
Do cats scare away rats permanently?
Not reliably. A cat’s scent can discourage rats from entering a new area, but it rarely drives out an established colony. Once rats become familiar with a non-threatening cat’s presence, the deterrent effect fades. Scent alone is not a long-term solution if rats are already settled in.
Will a cat get rid of rats in my house?
Unlikely on its own. A cat may catch individual rats, and its scent may discourage new ones from entering, but an active infestation requires professional pest control. Cats work best as a preventive measure, not a cure for an existing problem.
Over to you – do you believe cats are effective in pest control? What’s your experience? We’d love to hear you out in the comments below.
Picture source: Impact Photography / shutterstock.com
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