Can cats be trained to not eat mice?

Question

Also can Cats be trained to guard OTHER Cats from chasing mice?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

no its their natural instinct you cant change that.  

Answer 3

It would be very difficult to try to stop their natural instinct.  Not impossible though.  I've seen cats trained to use the toilet--that's not exactly natural behavior either.  I would say unless you're a professional trainer willing to spend weeks, if not months, trying to deprogram his natural instinct don't even try it.  Unless you have lots of mice to practice with.

Answer 4

Unfortunately it is in the cats instinct to kill small rodents/insects/birds, this has been hardwired into them for generations so this will most likely not change. Sorry to tell you...

Answer 5

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Answer 6

Hahahaha.....are you serious?

Answer 7

NO

Answer 8

It would be possible yes, but depending on the cat... and the human involved. A cat could be "convinced" not to hunt certain animals, such as particular pets, though it may not carry over to other creatures, but I doubt even with the most dedicated training could make a cat interfere in another cat's hunting.

Due to their extreme independent nature, many people do not think you can train a cat... and very few humans have the time or patience to be diligent enough to be effective, but it is possible to communicate your demands so that the cat MAY decide to appease you.

My case in point:

I had taken in a stray that was about a year old, actually he adopted me... I brought him to my small farmstead and he stayed as an indoor/outdoor pet. Since he had been hunting to survive, he kept bringing small birds to the house even though he was now well fed. I convinced him not to bring them in the house, but did not try to deter his hunting until my chickens and ducks started breeding. Once the chicks went ranging, I caught him in the act 3 times... each time I would pick him up by the nape, take the chick from him, raise the volume in his face and rattle him. I made him very uncomfortable and since it was a very unusual and intense correction, it was memorable. I am always gentle and loving with my animals, but his discipline had to be swift and in contrast to the norm. I communicated  that they were MY chicks, and the pens were OUT of bounds. The last time I also tossed him in the duck pond to show him "consequences". I lost only the first chick and he never entered the pens or harassed them again... though he would still sit on his ledge and watch intently. He still brought sparrows back from his hunts, but it was obvious he could discern the difference.

Though the hunting instinct is stronger in some cats more than others, as is their sense of "regard' for you, you could realistically try to instill a behavior.

If you just don't want your cat hunting wild mice, then you'll need to rid the area of mice if possible, or better yet don't allow your cat to stray... indoor cats are just as happy as you make them, they are healthier and safer too.

Though I work mostly with dogs, fundamental training concepts do work with other animals... generous reward, respectful correction , and appropriate consequence. Pick your battles carefully however, as the bond is tenuous, so a cat could very easily snub you.

ADDED: It is very easy to accustom a young cat and rodent (I highly recommend a female rat instead of a mouse) to each other as pets. Do separate them while unsupervised, but they need close interaction to bond... the cat needs to make the connection to be safe. Let them become friends with you being the Guardian of both. I have taken older animals and conditioned them to be tolerant of each other, but two young animals brought up together is by far the easiest route to take. Have fun.

Answer 9

I would not use the word "train" but it is possible for them to get along

I have A friend who has A Cat, and A Rat they are best friends. She also has A dog and A parrot they all get along. ??????

Answer 10

Well if you see the cat killing the mouse you can obviously put on some gloves and get rid of the mouse before the cats eat it.  Other then that, cats have a natural instincs of killing and eating mice.  And no, cats cant guard other cats from chasing mice either.  Sorry! (:

Answer 11

I think not... they do it anyway.well most anyway

xx

Answer 12

Even a domestic cat's instinct to hunt is heavily inbedded. Especially if you don't feed him the right food. Have you tried giving your dog pieces of raw chicken hearts or some boneless chicken twice a week?. Whenever I miss my cat's raw meat day, she starts to attack everything that moves LOL