Cat bringing mice into our house?

Question

We have a 7 yaer old cat. All of a sudden she has started to bring live mice into our house and then let them going leaving us to try get rid of the problem. If she does manage to catch them again they them get eaten only to be thrown up somewhere in the house. Not good in itself however we have two kids one of which has just started to crawl and puts everything in his mouth. You can see our problem. I know that it is her nature but is there any way we can discourage her from bringing the things in. Really really don't want to have to get rid of her. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Leather work gloves. Pick up mouse in one hand, cat in other- somehow get the door open- throw them both out the door while yelling "OUT."

This sounds weird but honest it don't hurt cat nor mouse.

Your cat is smart (most are, yours probably is) and will catch on after a week or so.  Just be consistent. Keeping the leather work gloves (to protect you from scratches and bites) near by, like one pair in the kitchen or what have you and one pair in the bedroom, helps you stay consistent.

**** Luck. Eating mice is not good for cats or kids.

Answer 2

She is a 7 year old cat so, take her to a quiet place and explain to her that things have changed. Tell her that the new addition to the household is in its crawling stage and as soon as the offspring stands upright on its own and stops putting random things in its mouth, then she needs to take the party somewhere else. Tell her that it is rude to bring uninvited guests to a place where she doesn't even pay rent. At her age, I'm pretty sure she'll understand.

Answer 3

Getting 'rid' of the cat is not the solution. Cats (any pet for that matter) are not a throw-away item). As long you let the cat outside to roam, it will be subjected to all sorts of dangers and  issues, the least of which is bringing rodents inside. The most responsible and sensible solution is to keep the cat indoors.

Answer 4

your cat could either be trying to teach your kids to hunt by bringing mice in the house or giving you presents. the best thing to do would be to check if she has anything in her mouth before you let her in and if she does then take the mouse from her mouth and give her praise. if the mice are her form of presents then it would be bad to punish her cause then she will think you arent satisfied and bring in more mice. and if she is attempting to teach your kids hunting skills then she will realize that you dont want these mice in your home and stop bringing them.

if the problem doesnt stop maybe you should just keep her indoors.

my cats are perfectly happy that way as long as i provide them some entertainment :)

Answer 5

Well let me help you understand what she is doing. Females are extremely great haunters. Cats will catch a pray even if they aren't hungry. She is just bringing the mouse, letting it in the house where she knows she'll find it when she gets hungry and eat it. Seems as though kitty has her favorite treat.

Make sure you don't allow her in the house when she brings one of those things again and start putting traps in your house for mice.

Answer 6

Last year I had the same problem.  I now look at my cats to make sure they have nothing in their mouth BEFORE I let them come into the house.

Most of the time they just bring me their tokens of love and leave them on my front porch LOL-but last year I let her in before I realized she had a live mouse in her mouth so I had to catch it and put it back out side so now I make sure I look before they come in the house.

Answer 7

other then saying no, bring mouse outside then praise, i dont know of any way to stop it.

usually only a nursing mom lets live mice loose in the house, to teach her childern to hunt.

as strange as this sounds, she might be trying to teach your kids to hunt mice.

i would bring the kids, and mice outside. your cat will think you want the kids trained to hunt outside, then she will leave the mice outside and call for your kids to come out.

had a cat that let a live ,bleeding, bunny loose in the house once.

my cat just dragged a bunny in through her cat door a few days ago.

when i got a bag to dispose of it, she dragged it back out.

Answer 8

dont let her go outside and try to get rid of any mice that might be inside the house, for your baby's safety.

Answer 9

Most Cats will bring you mice or birds as a gift, I know it sounds weird but its there way of saying Thanks.

Anne =]

Answer 10

Try and not let her go outside. Or when ever she brings them tell her No. Mine dosent do that yet.  

Answer 11

Keeping her inside all the time would be the easiest solution.  Mine are all indoor only and perfectly happy.  I know some people say cats are wild animals and have to get outside but if she were actually a wild animal you wouldn't let her around your kids. It's safer for her and safer for your kids since she won't be picking up any diseases or animals and bringing them into your home.

I'm assuming she comes and goes as she pleases or she wouldn't be able to get the mice in so I guess checking her whenever she comes in is another option.  

She may think she's helping.  Since it's a new behavior she may be trying to teach your kids to kill mice.  If they were her babies she would bring in live mice for them to practice hunting. If that's the case then the behavior may diminish on it's own, but it could take awhile and obviously you don't want her dropping mice near your kids.  But try not to act upset with her, I'm sure she doesn't know she's doing something wrong and she may even be trying to help.

good luck!

Answer 12

1. You can buy special collars for them. It means that when the cat jumps or makes sudden movements an alarm (not too loud for humans) goes off and warns the mice.  

Answer 13

show your anger to her.. i know even she's a cat, she can understand you, specially when you pointing what did she done wrong.. and by your expression.. but please don't throw her away...