How to Teach a Cat to Kill Mice

Cats have a reputation as mouse killers but not all cats want to kill mice. Some well-fed and pampered cats have no interest in catching and killing mice and any instinct that the cat may have once felt to stalk, catch and kill a mouse has become a vague memory. Since most cat owners don't like dead mice on their doorsteps, this is not always a problem. However, for a cat owner who suddenly faces an infestation of mice, stimulating the cat's instincts to kill mice may seem like a good idea.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat toys
  • Toy mice
  • Cat treats
  • String
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Stimulate the cat from a young age with objects that promote stalking, pouncing and capturing. Objects attached to a string that the owner pulls along will help a kitten develop its hunting instinct. Objects with bells or other noise-makers will also act as stimulants for the cat's hunting instincts.

    • 2

      Use mouse-like toys when playing games that promote chasing, stalking and pouncing. The kitten can make the transition from a toy mouse to a real mouse.

    • 3

      Attach a toy mouse to a string and pull it around to capture the cat's interest and encourage its instincts to stalk the object and pounce on it.

    • 4

      Show dead mice to the cat so that it becomes accustomed to seeing a dead mouse. This mimics the way that mother cats teach their kittens, by bringing back killed prey to the kittens as an example.

    • 5

      Show pleasure if the cat kills a mouse. Praise the cat, pet it profusely and give it a kitty treat next to the dead mouse so that it associates the act of killing the mouse with a reward.