How does a mouse die from a cat playing with it?

I am NOT a veterinarian, but I have lived with cats for decades and have seen some stuff. I have seen mice played with, and then run away after my cat presented them to me. I have seen a cat grab a chipmunk through a slightly opened sliding door. read more

Sometimes I think they suffer internal injuries from “cat play” that never become evident to us by, say, bloody nostrils. Also, cats are very good at shaking prey and breaking their necks, which also may not be readily apparent in a freshly killed mouse. But I also think shock kills some of those mice who find themselves in the jaws of a cat. read more

After all, cats aren't born with the innate desire to kill their prey. The killing part is copied and learned from the mother. However, cats are indeed born wanting to chase after things. When a cat is endlessly mutilating a now-dead mouse, it may simply be because she's playing with it like a toy or a game. read more

The assumption that a cat cruelly toys with her prey before killing it is a common misconception. To the horrified human who watches a cat killing a mouse, there does appear to be a lot of shoving, pouncing and poking involved; but appearances are deceptive. From the cat's point of view this is basic self-defence. Most animals are not harmless. read more

The assumption that a cat cruelly toys with her prey before killing it is a common misconception. To the horrified human who watches a cat killing a mouse, there does appear to be a lot of shoving, pouncing and poking involved; but appearances are deceptive. read more