Is it safe for cats to eat wild prey? (including wall rats and squirrels)

My indoor outside boy Joel came down with a terrible infection his vet claimed from eating diseased prey. It's been so long ago that I don't remember the name of the infection. Sadly, Jeol did not get better. I've had other cats who hunted with no problem but this was pretty awful.

my cat moo she brings home birds, mice, rabbits. and i dont mind that but she eats their heads. im getting scared she might die. her son panthro  died 5 months ago he was poisoned by antifreeze. idk if it was an accident or if someone fed it to him. makes me not to let them out no more but ik they wont stay in they fight to get out. 

I told my vet that Mingo caught mice and ate them, and she said the danger was worms. She recommended a topical flea medication that kills fleas and worm larvae.

QueenCassie said:

 
my cat moo she brings home birds, mice, rabbits. and i dont mind that but she eats their heads. im getting scared she might die. her son panthro  died 5 months ago he was poisoned by antifreeze. idk if it was an accident or if someone fed it to him. makes me not to let them out no more but ik they wont stay in they fight to get out. 

Click to expand...

I'm sorry for your loss @QueenCassie  I've heard that anti-freeze poisoning is quite common. All it takes is for some to get spilled in a puddle and the cat to drink from it. Eating rodents can be dangerous too. If the mouse has taken mouse poison the cat will be affected.

Have you tried walking your cats on a harness? Or how about making them a catio or a cat enclosure?

Norachan said:

 
I'm sorry for your loss @QueenCassie  I've heard that anti-freeze poisoning is quite common. All it takes is for some to get spilled in a puddle and the cat to drink from it. Eating rodents can be dangerous too. If the mouse has taken mouse poison the cat will be affected.

Have you tried walking your cats on a harness? Or how about making them a catio or a cat enclosure?

Click to expand...

Yes, re the question in the title.  If the prey were poisoned, there is a not so little potential danger.  Especielly, as a poisoned rat will be easier to be taken...

Also, bird dying of salomonella may get cats sick in salomononella, by the same reason.  Cats usually manage salomonella much better than humans, but if they get the salomonella bacterias in a massive invasion - alike eating lotsa of birds dying in salomonella, they MAY get sick.  Or spread salomonella to their humans.  I suppose the same may be with campylobacter, and other bacterias too.

So, normally no big risks. That is their natural feed.  But occasionally there ARE serious risks, and the owner must be aware of it.