Can Cats Smell Rats: How Do They Detect Them?

Cat Behavior & Communication Ariana Perry March 11, 2025

Cats are known for their sharp hunting skills and natural predator instincts.

Many people believe cats can smell rats, thanks to their reputation for controlling pests. While this belief is partly true, there’s more to it.

Cats have an incredible sense of smell but rely on other senses, like hearing and sight, to detect rodents.

In this blog, we’ll learn how cats detect rats, what makes their senses so special, and whether they can smell rats.

Let’s see how these abilities help cats spot and catch rats in your home.

The Science Behind a Cat’s Sense of Smell

Cats have an incredibly strong sense of smell, much better than humans.

They have around 70 million smell receptors, while humans only have about 20 million. This allows cats to detect scents far away and at much lower levels than we can.

When comparing cats to other animals, like dogs, their sense of smell is still highly impressive.

These heightened senses help cats be skilled hunters and detect things like rats.

With their powerful noses, cats can pick up on smells that humans can’t even notice, making them excellent at spotting hidden pests.

Role of Jacobson’s Organ

A key part of a cat’s ability to smell rats is their Jacobson’s Organ also called the Vomeronasal Organ.

This organ is located on the roof of their mouth and helps them detect specific scents, such as pheromones and other subtle smells from rats.

It enhances their ability to identify smells harder for humans or other animals to detect.

This organ allows cats to sniff and “taste” smells, giving them an even more precise sense of what’s around them. It is especially important in helping cats track down rats and other small animals.

The Flehmen Response and Rat Detection

The Flehmen response is something cats show when they come across strong or unfamiliar smells.

During this response, cats open their mouths and curl back their lips, drawing air into their Jacobson’s Organ to process the scent more deeply.

This reaction helps cats focus on particular smells, especially those that are hard to detect.

It’s particularly useful for detecting rats. Cats can detect even the faintest rodent pheromones, making it easier to identify rats in their environment.

How Cats Use Their Other Senses to Detect Rats

Whiskers (Vibrissae)

• Cats have highly sensitive whiskers that extend their sense of touch.
• Whiskers can detect slight movements and vibrations, such as rats scurrying across the floor or walls.
• Whiskers are found on a cat’s face and legs, helping them sense environmental changes.

Night Vision

• Cats have a reflective layer behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum.
• This layer helps cats see better in low-light conditions, making it easier to spot rats at night when they are most active.
• Cats can see better than humans in the dark, allowing them to detect rats even in shadows or behind objects.

Hearing

• Cats have exceptional hearing, able to hear sounds up to 64 kHz, far beyond human hearing capacity (20 kHz).
• This ability helps cats detect faint squeaks, scratching, and movement of rats in walls or hidden spaces.
• Cats can hear sounds that humans miss, giving them an advantage in detecting rodents.

Can Cats Help Prevent a Rat Infestation?

Although cats are skilled at detecting rats, they are not a complete solution for preventing or eliminating rat infestations.

While cats can help keep the rat population under control, they cannot stop rats from entering a home, especially if other measures are not in place.

Preventing a rat problem requires sealing entry points and removing food sources, tasks that cats cannot do.

Effective pest control practices, like sealing cracks, storing food properly, and maintaining cleanliness, are essential to keeping rats out.

Cats can be useful as an early warning system, but relying solely on them for pest control is not enough.

Best Cat Breeds for Catching Rodents

Some cats are better at hunting than others. While all cats have instincts to chase small animals, certain breeds are known for their strong hunting skills. If you’re looking for a cat that can help control rodents, these breeds are great choices:

Maine Coon

• Large and strong, with sharp hunting skills.
• Originally bred to catch mice in barns.
• Friendly but very active and alert.

Siamese

• Quick and intelligent hunters.
• Known for their strong sense of smell and sight.
• Energetic and playful, making them great mousers.

American Shorthair

• It was used to control rats on ships.
• Independent and patient when hunting.
• Strong and adaptable, making them great for homes.

Bengal

• Has wildcat ancestry, making them natural hunters.
• Fast, agile, and loves to chase.
• High energy and enjoys playing with toys that mimic prey.

Abyssinian

• Curious and always alert to movement.
• Climbs and jumps to reach hiding rodents.
• Loves to explore, making them great hunters.

Domesticated vs. Feral Cats: Who Hunts Better?

• Domesticated Cats: Pet cats may still hunt but don’t always kill their prey. Well-fed cats may chase mice for fun instead of survival.
• Feral Cats: These cats hunt to survive. They are better at catching and killing rodents because they rely on it for food.

Choosing an active breed and encouraging hunting play can help if you want a cat for rodent control. However, cats alone may not completely solve a rodent problem.

Cats and Rat Control: Pros and Limitations

Pros of Using Cats for Rat Control

• Natural Hunters: Many cats have a strong instinct to chase and catch rodents.
• Rodent Detection: Cats can sense rats through smell and sound, even in hidden areas.
• Deterrence: The scent of a cat alone may scare away some rodents.
• Low-Maintenance Help: Unlike traps or poisons, cats provide ongoing rodent control without chemicals.

Limitations of Cats in Controlling Rats

• Not All Cats Hunt: Some cats are uninterested in chasing rats or may avoid them.
• Rats Can Hide Well: Rodents often nest in places cats can’t reach, like walls or attics.
• Large Infestations Are Too Much: Rats reproduce quickly, and a single cat cannot control a big problem.
• Health Risks: Cats can catch diseases or parasites from rats, putting them at risk.

While cats can help detect and catch some rats, they work best as part of a larger pest control plan rather than a complete solution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cats are great at detecting rats thanks to their sharp senses of smell, hearing, and sight.

Cats can identify rats early, but they aren’t a foolproof solution for rat infestations. They are limited in their ability to reach nesting areas and control large infestations.

Professional pest control services are often necessary to fully eliminate rats and prevent future problems.

While cats are excellent at alerting their owners to rats, they should be part of a larger pest control plan, not the only solution.

Be sure to check out our other website blogs for more helpful tips and information on pest control!