Quote:
Originally Posted by regi375
The cage I have my feeder mice in is in plain view of my cat. I've seen her sitting on the floor, staring at them. ...
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So whether or not the mice can see her they can still smell her? Are they breeding for you or are they just kept there as in a holding cage until they're fed off?
We have a long-haired cat (Norwegian Forest) which requires regular grooming. Our African Soft Furred Rats are on another level of the house where the cat is not permitted. There have been a few times over the years when I inadvertently groomed the cat and then shortly afterwards went to the ASF's. They are almost always very active when we enter, even happy to see us. But on days when we smell like cat they freeze, motionless. I'd immediately leave, change clothes, wash my hands & forearms with soap/water, and then re-enter to see them back to normal.
I imagine regular exposure to cat scent could cause a decrease in reproduction rates for any small mammal from mice up to rabbits.