Do Cats and Dogs Actually Control Rodent Pests?

Do Cats and Dogs Actually Control Rodent Pests?

Cartoon logic tells us that where there is a rat or mouse, the faithful household pet is soon to follow. Cats are the pet most commonly associated with catching rodents, but dogs are also known as hunters, even in suburban settings. Some homeowners will own a cat or dog with the primary purpose of keeping their home pest-free, especially if they own a lot of property. But are our furry friends actually reliable sources of natural pest control? This is the question we aim to answer with the magic of research and critical thinking.

Imagine It: Chicago, 2021… 

If you closely follow different news outlets, you may recall a popular story in the spring of 2021. Multiple regional and national news organizations reported on a rat control experiment for the ages, right here in Chicago. The Tree House Humane Society was entering their ninth year of the Cats at Work program, where they provide enlisted business owners and property owners with feral cats they had cared for previously. Over 1,000 cats have been in this program since 2012, and there were multiple names on the waiting list at the time of this news story. The humane society will vaccinate and spay or neuter the cats upon retrieval, then assess them for placement into a feral cat colony. If the cat cannot be successfully reintroduced to that environment, they can go to work with a loving owner.

As Chicago is considered to be one of the most rat-infested cities in the U.S. every year, it makes sense why these entrepreneurs want a cat to scare away any pesky rats. The owners provide food and shelter for their cat, and the feline pays their dues by reducing the rat population in the immediate area and patrolling the alleys. The business owners like the natural method and efficacy of a cat hunting rats, rather than utilizing typical pesticides. It turns out that cats naturally release pheromones that repels rats, so the cats do not have to work too hard in order to meet their quota at work. As interesting as it is that feral cats are able to have a newfound purpose in pest control, it is worth wondering whether this same efficacy translates to our beloved cats and dogs that we already have in our homes. 

The Difference Between Dogs and Cats

Domestic cats and dogs are descendants of some pretty ferocious hunters, which makes it logical to believe that our wonderful pets retained some of those great tracking skills. Some breeds are known as working breeds, where they thrive upon having some kind of purpose or job to do every day. It keeps them sharp and allows them to have a way to use up their high amounts of energy. While pest control can give them a “purpose” that makes our pets satisfied at the end of the day, dogs and cats have different skill sets and biologies that certainly play a part in their rodent-repelling activities…right?

When it comes to dogs, their noses really do know it all. Dogs have 300 million olfactory receptors, so they can smell creatures and materials that humans would never be able to at the same distance. Some dog breeds, like Labrador retrievers and Chesapeake Bay retrievers, are famous hunting dogs that live for the purpose of hunting and catching prey. Families who own a hunting breed likely notice that they do not experience as many furry pests as they used to in the yard. Some small dogs, like dachshunds and terriers, were initially bred for rodent control in particular. Dogs are our best friends for a good reason, but they do indirectly come with a downside in rodent control. Dry dog food is one of the most common rodent attractors because of the high protein content. This is why it is essential to store all pet food in airtight containers, even if it is kept inside the house. 

On the other hand, cats received their standing as a popular form of natural rodent control for a reason. Cats are a predatory species and opportunistic eaters, so they will eat anything that is readily available. Even though domestic cats seem to love the fish-flavored treats and wet food we give them, they can still enjoy the thrill of the hunt on a smaller scale. As previously mentioned, rodents can smell cat pheromones and will avoid the odorous area at all costs. The invisible chemicals are especially strong in the cat’s urine, which mice despise. Cats that spend most of their days outside roaming the neighborhood are more likely to hunt and catch rodents than cats that spend all day comfortably indoors, so that also plays a factor in their efficacy. 

In short, there is not an objectively “better” pet for rodent control. In fact, a study by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences examined households with just a cat, just a dog, or both pets in their results of a rodent-free home. The numbers leaned towards the most effective rodent control being a combination of cats and dogs in the home, rather than just one or the other. The various predators are likely scary for any foraging pests, as they now have threats of various sizes and abilities. Many rodents may be jittery at the thought of running into an energetic dog or cat, but there can be some downsides to relying on our furry friends for consistent pest control. 

Is Pet Pest Control Effective?

Well, yes and no. The previous section seems to prove that both cats and dogs provide some sort of rodent control, but there are many variables to consider before telling your loyal companion to get to work. For one, their hunting skills depend heavily on both the breed and personality of the pet. Some breeds are just more adept at stalking and pouncing than others, and, like people, pets have their own demeanors that dictate how active and dedicated they are on a given day. Another factor is the species of rodent that are common in your area. Rats and mice are often lumped together, but they also have different personalities and abilities. Rats aren’t as naturally scared of their surroundings as mice are, so it may be more difficult for your pet to intimidate a rat. Also, these rodents reproduce at different rates, so you may have many more pests on your hands if they are not caught by your pet. Rats produce about 6 litters a year with 5 to 10 offspring in each, and mice have 5 to 10 litters a year with about 14 offspring in each. The pheromones in your pet’s saliva and excrement may scare off rodents for now, but it is not a guarantee that their descendants will have the same fears after growing up around the same area. And if those rodents are infected with fleas and diseases, which they likely are, your pets are at risk of contracting those as well.

A third variable to consider is the primary locations of the rodents in your home and yard. It may be easy for your dog or cat to chase off a wandering rat in the garden, but other places come with their own obstacles. If there is construction being done in your yard or neighborhood, the ground and foliage being disturbed means that any pests inhabiting those areas need to relocate. This unfortunately means that they will turn to any nearby shelters, so a big construction project can mean that rodents are now trying to move into your home, which can overwhelm your pets if this is not the norm. If your dog or cat sniffs out a rodent inside the home, it can be quite the conflicting experience. It is exciting that your beloved pet protects your home from intruders, but the nightmare can take a turn for the worse if the rodent is not actually eliminated. Rats and mice both love to hide in walls for the security and warmth, so they will naturally run to hide in there if they are chased by a pet. A rodent in the wall is worth a call to a pest control company, since not even our furry friends can do anything at that point. 

In conclusion, owning a cat, a dog, or both may result in less rodent problems than homes with no pets. But this is not a guarantee and should not be the sole reason for getting a pet, as our wonderful domesticated animals can’t seek out and exterminate every single pest that enters our yards. Dogs and cats still continue to carry that hunting instinct though, so who’s to say that they won’t provide some pest control for us? The next time that your dog jumps up from their bed to bark at the fence line, or your cat slowly stalks an invisible foe, you may find yourself with a small, furry (albeit disgusting) “offering” from your faithful little hunter. 

Pointe Rodent Control is the Cat’s Pajamas!

Whether you have cats, dogs, both, or neither, one thing is for sure: pests are not welcome in any home. Besides damaging the house itself and leaving behind droppings, many pests can also transmit diseases to the people in the home. Rodents in particular are infested with diseases that they spread easily, such as hantavirus and salmonella. If they get into the food storage area, the food is now contaminated and needs to be thrown out immediately. Our team of experienced technicians provide both preventative and responsive treatments in order to address pest problems in every phase they can be. It is more efficient to control rodents early in the infestation process, and our EPA-approved treatments will keep your home free of rodents long after the visit is over. Contact us for a free quote and to learn how our services can help both you and your pets rest more easily!

Citations

Are mice afraid of dogs?. (n.d.). Terminix. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://www.terminix.com/blog/education/are-mice-afraid-of-dogs/ 

Can cats help get rid of mice?. (n.d.). Terminix. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://www.terminix.com/blog/education/can-cats-get-rid-of-mice/ 

Chef, K. (2021, June 17). 10 dog breeds that chase away mice and other household pests. Martha Stewart. Available at https://www.marthastewart.com/8119678/dogs-that-hunt-mice-and-pests (Accessed on January 6, 2023).

Christensen, J. (2016, July 15). Are cats the ultimate weapon in public health?. CNN Health. Available at https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/15/health/cats-chicago-rat-patrol/index.html (Accessed on January 6, 2023).

Do cats keep mice away?. (n.d.). AnimalPath.org. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://animalpath.org/do-cats-keep-mice-away/ 

The Associated Press. (2021, October 5). Feline workforce helps tackle Chicago rat problem. WANE News. Available at https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/feline-workforce-helps-tackle-chicago-rat-problem/ (Accessed on January 6, 2023).

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (2017, February 6). Cats, dogs teaming up is best way to keep rodents away. ScienceDaily. Available at www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170206160049.htm (Accessed on January 6, 2023).