Don cats control rats, mice, and other nuisance critters?
A. A study of stray cats in the city of Baltimore, Maryland showed that the cats did not prey on rats over 6 ounces. In fact, cats were seen eating side by side with rats at garbage dumps. There are other studies that show Black or Norway Rats are a very small part of a cat’s diet. House Mice, another exotic pest species, can live in small spaces, such as walls or attics, where cats cannot follow, so cats do not do a good job of eliminating these rodents either. In fact, food that is left out for cats can attract and support rodent populations.