There is a common misconception that cats are attracted to rats because rats carry diseases that cats can catch. However, this is not the case. Cats hunt and kill rats for food, not because they are attracted to any diseases the rodents may carry.
Why Do Cats Hunt Rats?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat to survive. Rodents like rats and mice make up a significant portion of feral and outdoor cats’ diets. Cats hunt these animals for food, not because they are drawn to any pathogens or illnesses the rodents may harbor.
Some key reasons cats hunt rats and other rodents include:
- Instinct – Hunting rodents is ingrained in cats’ natural instincts. They receive mental stimulation and satisfaction from catching prey.
- Food source – Rats provide a readily available food source for cats. The protein and nutrients help sustain cats.
- Pest control – Cats help keep rat populations under control by hunting them.
- Training – Cat parents may encourage hunting rats as a way to hone their pet’s predatory skills.
The motivating factor is sustenance and survival, not disease attraction.
Diseases Carried by Rats
While not attracted to these diseases, cats that consume rats may inadvertently ingest any pathogens they are carrying. Some diseases associated with rats include:
- Salmonella – Rodents can carry Salmonella bacteria which can lead to gastrointestinal illness if ingested.
- Leptospirosis – A bacterial disease that can cause liver and kidney damage.
- Rat bite fever – Caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis bacteria and leads to fever, rash, headache, and muscle pain in humans.
- Hantavirus – A rare but deadly virus that can lead to breathing difficulties.
- Plague – Caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria and carried by fleas on rats.
Salmonella
One of the most common rodent-associated diseases is Salmonella. Rats can carry Salmonella in their gastrointestinal tracts and shed it in their feces. If a cat ingests a rat carrying Salmonella, they can become infected.
In cats, symptoms of Salmonella include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Salmonella typically causes a gastrointestinal illness. In rare cases, the bacteria can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body. Treatment involves antibiotics and supportive care.
Most cats recover fully from Salmonella with prompt treatment. But kittens, senior cats, and those with weakened immune systems may be at risk for more severe illness.
Cats shed Salmonella in their feces intermittently after infection. This makes litter box hygiene critical if there are other pets or humans in the household. Thorough hand washing is essential after handling any soiled litter.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease carried by rodents that can spread to cats. The Leptospira bacteria are shed in urine and can contaminate soil, food, or water.
If a cat has an open wound or ingests contaminated materials, they can contract leptospirosis. The bacteria attack the liver and kidneys.
In felines, leptospirosis leads to:
- Fever
- Depression
- Dehydration
- Jaundice
- Vomiting
Without treatment, the bacteria can cause life-threatening kidney or liver failure. Veterinarians treat leptospirosis with antibiotics like doxycycline or penicillin. IV fluids and supportive care help manage dehydration and kidney dysfunction.
Leptospirosis vaccination is available for cats at risk of exposure. Annual boosters are important as immunity can wane over time. Preventive measures like rat control and avoiding stagnant waters can also reduce exposure.
Rat Bite Fever
Rat bite fever is caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, a bacteria carried in the mouths of rodents. As the name suggests, cat scratches or bites from infected rats can transmit the bacteria.
After an incubation period of 1-22 days, rat bite fever leads to:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Rash
- Muscle pain
Without antibiotic treatment, the mortality rate can be as high as 13% in humans. Prompt treatment with penicillin or amoxicillin is important to avoid complications like heart and brain infections.
There are fewer documented cases of rat bite fever in felines compared to humans or canines. But similar antibiotic treatment is used in cats following potential exposure through a rat bite.
Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are rare but serious viral diseases associated with rodents like rats. People typically contract hantaviruses from inhaling particles from rodent urine, saliva, or droppings that contain the virus.
Hantavirus is not thought to be as contagious directly between cats and rats. But cats could potentially be exposed by ingesting contaminated matter while grooming or hunting.
In humans, Hantavirus causes flulike symptoms that rapidly progress to potentially life-threatening breathing difficulties. There are limited reports of confirmed cases in cats. Potential symptoms could include:
- Fever
- Depression
- Dehydration
- Respiratory distress
There are no specific treatments, vaccines, or post-exposure prophylactics available for Hantavirus in cats. Supportive veterinary care can help manage symptoms, and containment of rat infestations is important to reduce exposure risks.
Plague
Plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. Wild rodents and their fleas are natural reservoirs for plague. Cats primarily contract plague when bitten by infected rodent fleas.
The plague bacterium spreads through the cat’s bloodstream, causing illness like:
- Fever
- Chills
- Weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
There are both bubonic and pneumonic forms of feline plague. Both can be fatal without prompt antibiotic treatment.
Prevention centers on flea control and limiting contact with wild rodents in plague-endemic areas. A vaccine for cats provides some protection from plague but does not completely eliminate infection risk.
Are Cats Immune to Rat Diseases?
Cats do not have natural immunity to many rodent-associated diseases. While they can sometimes resist infection better than humans, cats are still susceptible. Some key points:
- Rats can carry pathogens without appearing sick, posing an invisible threat to cats who hunt them.
- Eating sick rats increases disease exposure risk.
- Cat bites or scratches from infected rats can directly transmit some illnesses.
- Consuming food or water contaminated by rat feces or urine can also spread certain diseases to cats.
So while not attracted to sick rats, cats lack inherent disease resistance. Contracting rodent illnesses is an occupational hazard of hunting and consuming rats.
Protecting Cats from Rat Diseases
You can help safeguard cats against rat-related illnesses through these prevention measures:
- Control rodent populations around your home with traps, natural deterrents, and sealing up entry points.
- Have your cat treated and protected against major rodent diseases like leptospirosis with veterinary vaccines.
- Avoid rat-infested areas and supervise outdoor time when hunting is likely.
- Prevent hunting and eating rats by keeping food bowls full.
- Follow veterinarian recommendations for flea, tick, and gastrointestinal parasite prevention.
- Take cats showing signs of illness like vomiting, lethargy, or fever to the vet promptly.
- Practice good hygiene with litter boxes and washing hands before and after handling cats to prevent zoonotic disease spread.
While not foolproof, these precautions can greatly reduce a cat’s chances of contracting a rodent-borne disease.
Treating Cats for Rat-Related Diseases
If a cat does develop a rat-associated illness, treatment typically involves:
- Antibiotics – Diseases like leptospirosis, plague, and rat bite fever often require antibiotic therapy. Hospitalization for IV antibiotics may be needed for severe infections.
- Supportive care – Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are common with gastrointestinal diseases like salmonellosis. Rehydration fluids and anti-nausea medication can help.
- Medications – Drugs that protect the liver and kidneys may be prescribed if these organs are affected.
- Nutritional support – Appetite stimulants and vitamin supplements can aid recovery.
- Isolation – Hospitalization in isolation may be warranted for contagious diseases like plague.
With aggressive treatment at the first signs of illness, most cats make a full recovery from diseases contracted from rats. Talk to your veterinarian right away if your cat displays any rodent-disease symptoms after hunting or rat exposure. Delaying treatment could result in preventable complications or even death in some cases.
Conclusion
While the vast majority of cats hunt rats for sustenance, not due to any attraction to disease, there are still important illnesses they can contract from rodent prey and contact. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites carried by rats can make cats seriously sick if ingested, transmitted through fleas, or acquired via bite wounds. However, preventive care and prompt veterinary treatment can greatly reduce the risks and impacts of these potential rat-related diseases in cats. Be vigilant for signs of illness in cats who have access to rats and always contact your vet at the first indication of a problem. With proper precautions and fast medical care as needed, cats can safely reap the benefits of rodent hunting and control without undue risk.
