Hey everyone!
I’ve been struggling with a rat problem in my suburban backyard and garage. My neighbor suggested getting a cat as a “natural solution,” but I’m skeptical. Do cats actually deter or kill rats effectively? I’ve tried traps and sealing gaps, but the rats are relentless.
My situation:
- Rat activity: Frequent sightings at dusk, chewed wiring in the garage, and burrows near my compost pile.
- Concerns: I have a small dog and young kids, worried about conflicts or cats harming wildlife.
- Attempted fixes: Snap traps (caught 2 rats), peppermint oil, and removing food sources. Still seeing droppings!
Questions for the community:
- Are certain cat breeds (e.g., barn cats, Siamese) more effective at rat control?
- Do cats deter rats just by their presence, or do they need to actively hunt?
- How do I train a cat to focus on rats without harming birds or my dog?
- Are outdoor cats ethical/safe for the local ecosystem? Alternatives like “working cats”?
- Can cats coexist with other pest control methods (traps, repellents)?
Share your experiences, should I adopt a mouser or stick to traps?
YES! I run a barn cat rescue. Feral or semi-feral cats are ruthless rat hunters. My two cleared a 50-rat infestation in 3 weeks. They patrol nightly and leave birds alone (mostly!).
@BarnCatQueen Outdoor cats can devastate local birds. Consider catios (enclosed patios) or supervised rat-hunting sessions. Better yet, use adoptable working cats from shelters, they’re “employed” for pest control!
Cats emit a scent that scares rats! Even if they don’t hunt, their urine/marking keeps rats away. I have 1 indoor-outdoor cat and rat sightings dropped 90%.
Not all cats hunt. Adopt an adult with a proven prey drive. Maine Coons and Domestic Shorthairs are top mousers. Avoid declawing, they need claws for rats!
I use motion-activated sprinklers + a cat. Rats hate water, and the cat handles stragglers. No bird issues since the sprinklers scare cats away from feeders!
Cats + traps = unbeatable. My cat “alerts” me to rat hotspots, then I set traps there. Double the efficiency!
Please don’t let cats roam free! They kill billions of birds yearly. Try rat terrier dogs instead, they’re safer for ecosystems and ruthless ratters.
Working cats are a thing! Shelters often spay/neuter and vaccinate barn cats for pest control. They’re “leased” to properties, keeps them fed and focused on rats.
My rescue cat is lazy but her scent alone keeps rats out of my garage. No kills, but no rats either!