Crouching, leaping and sharp claws are only some of the tools cats have at their disposal when it comes to stalking and hunting their prey. Fortunately though for the average house cat, they don’t need such tools since all their needs are provided for them by their owners. However, there are times when they tend to want something “fresher” whenever they go out for a walk and this is where the problems start.
Rodents, Birds and Disease
When cats go out of their homes to hunt (or even just hunt within the backyard of their home) they encounter an assortment of different creatures that they can easily prey on. However, as explained by Vetwest.com.au, the problem with a vast majority of the prey they capture is that they are rife with all manner of disease and bacteria that can cause your cat to become sick. This is an often enough occurrence that Orange Park veterinarians recommend that owners try to limit the amount of time their cat spends outside of the house or at least isolate their outdoor adventures to the backyard of the house. Pets.thenest.com even states that constant exposure to disease ridden prey can result in serious complications that have the potential to kill your feline companion.
Pet Food and Cats
Another issue that should be taken into consideration is the fact that a house cat may have gotten so used to eating pet food that the consumption of live prey may cause indigestion. Various Orange Park veterinarians state that pet food is relatively clean and free from the contaminants found in live prey. Thecatsite.com even goes so far as to state that constant consumption of pet food thus leads to a state where the ability of your pet to digest live prey is severely hampered and leads to a situation where eating a mouse or bird can lead to serious stomach complications.
Solving the Issue
The first method is to simply implement methods to discourage a house cat from going outside the house. This can range from closing windows and cat flaps to putting a series of wire mesh barriers in a backyard to prevent them from getting out. However, if a house cat has consumed a rat or bird and is looking ill or seems to refuse to eat, it is recommended that an owner immediately seek out an Orange Park veterinarian.
Remember, just because a cat can catch a mouse or rat does not mean that they should eat it.
