Weird But Possibly Genius Thought - Any Input?

So I just saw a post in the "funny memes" thread with a cartoon about canned mice.
So my thought is, why don't they make canned cat food from rodents?
I'm not talking about trapping and using diseased rodents from NYs sewers or anything. But would it not be a very sustainable and inexpensive meat source? It would not have to be the only meat source either, but I just wonder if using rodents instead of corn, soy... and the like would be a better "filler". We might think it's gross, but cats eat rodents, and survive eating rodents, so why not?

You can buy frozen rodents for a very reasonable price from any snake supply place.

As for canning, I don't know if it's possible. They'd probably have to be gutted (including the intestines spoils the meat) which would be very fiddly work, especially on mice. So it's probably just cheaper to buy them frozen.

Either way - Feeby will NOT be eating frozen or canned mouse under my watch!! LOL. Serving it from a can might be one thing (but, I do understand the complexities/difficulties of preparing mice for that purpose), but to whip out a frozen mouse from a freezer (not the one I use for my food!!) to thaw for my cat is just one step too far for me!!! Unless she ate mice before she found us at around 2yo, she will never have the chance to know that 'luxury'. Sorry Feeby (NOT)!!

Because cat food manufacturers don’t make food to please cats, they make food that looks good to humans. People don’t want to feed rodents to their cats. They much prefer to live in ignorant bliss thinking that cats thrive on veggies and chicken meal.

Azazel said:

Because cat food manufacturers don’t make food to please cats, they make food that looks good to humans. People don’t want to feed rodents to their cats. They much prefer to live in ignorant bliss thinking that cats thrive on veggies and chicken meal.

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I hope you made that remark in jest.

FeebysOwner said:

I hope you made that remark in jest.

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To be honest I didn’t read your post before I posted. Didn’t mean it directly towards you.

I realize the thought of feeding rodents is gross to many humans but if we are going to be honest, we are taking care of little obligate carnivores whose natural diet consists of mainly raw rodent meat. So feeding them rodents really would be healthier and more sustainable as the initial poster suggests. I’m just pointing out that the reason why cat food companies probably don’t sell rodent meat is because they market products to humans, not cats.

I can check with The American Eagle Foundation (my other passion) and see where they get their rats and all for the eagles they feed at Dollywood (Non releasable eagles due to injury by guns and all). My friend works a cam for them so she'd be able to tell me where to get these. It may take a day or two however.

Azazel said:

Because cat food manufacturers don’t make food to please cats, they make food that looks good to humans. People don’t want to feed rodents to their cats. They much prefer to live in ignorant bliss thinking that cats thrive on veggies and chicken meal.

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I actually have another friend who's job is test tasting dog and cat food for Purina. So yea I totally believe that.

It is probably just the stigma of what mice/rats in general sadly represent in too many cases, as the OP suggested. And, I understand your point, but personally speaking canned food for cats isn't any more 'appealing' to me than canned mouse would be.

I just thought 'ignorant bliss' was a bit strong. Any form of meat that cats eat (as is true for humans) once was a living creature - I think we all know/understand that.

MoonstoneWolf said:

I actually have another friend who's job is test tasting dog and cat food for Purina. So yea I totally believe that.

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Omg that’s a horrible job.

kittyluv387 said:

Omg that’s a horrible job.

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Ok I do have to confess that when I was a kid, the strongheart dog food and the dog biscuits were "ok". Now that I"m older it does make me wonder about the food if I found it palatable. But yes kind of makes you wonder. And I'm not squeamish about the rat and all. I watch live eagle cams (set one up for the cats to watch as well) and we see those eagles bring in all kinds of fish, roadkill, and all to eat.

This is one of AEF's suppliers: https://www.rodentpro.com/categories/live-foods

I’ve always thought about this. You can buy packs of frozen whole mice.

FeebysOwner said:

Either way - Feeby will NOT be eating frozen or canned mouse under my watch!! LOL. Serving it from a can might be one thing (but, I do understand the complexities/difficulties of preparing mice for that purpose), but to whip out a frozen mouse from a freezer (not the one I use for my food!!) to thaw for my cat is just one step too far for me!!! Unless she ate mice before she found us at around 2yo, she will never have the chance to know that 'luxury'. Sorry Feeby (NOT)!!

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Once you get over it you’ll be fine.

GalaxyGirl said:

Once you get over it you’ll be fine.

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Nah - she's gone for at least 12+ years without one - maybe 14+ years - so I think she's good not to start now!!!

Azazel said:

To be honest I didn’t read your post before I posted. Didn’t mean it directly towards you.

I realize the thought of feeding rodents is gross to many humans but if we are going to be honest, we are taking care of little obligate carnivores whose natural diet consists of mainly raw rodent meat. So feeding them rodents really would be healthier and more sustainable as the initial poster suggests. I’m just pointing out that the reason why cat food companies probably don’t sell rodent meat is because they market products to humans, not cats.

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Yeah. They what’s drives me crazy. We live our lives and our cats suffer. I considered buying frozen mice when my IBD cat was having projectile diarrhea. When we adopted fur babies we as in humans have to get ourselves.

The only thing with whole mice is that the cats would run off with it somewhere since it's big. That's what happened when I gave them whole chicken hearts. Yuk! If it were easy for companies to make canned mice I would definitely buy it. Would love to add another white meat besides chicken, rabbit and Turkey.

FeebysOwner said:

but to whip out a frozen mouse from a freezer (not the one I use for my food!!) to thaw for my cat is just one step too far for me!!!

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I guess you'll never want to come for dinner at my house unless I've ordered take out!LOL!

I also have a python, and as such, keep frozen rats in my freezer, (yes in the same freezer as my food) They are wrapped in plastic and in a bag as well, but they are there none the less.

Sweetie has to eat too!

I am sure, as GalaxyGirl said, I would get over it!

But, what kittyluv387 brought up certainly caused me some pause!! I mean I've found lizard parts in my house - not sure I would want to find some mouse parts Feeby was saving for later -

Yep, I have snakes too, and the cats get the refusals (and if the snakes are eating well, I'll thaw some out just for the cats). Not all of the cats will eat whole rodents. So if I only had a few cats and wanted them to eat whole rodents I'd probably have to teach them how to eat it. But as it is, I'm fine with only some cats eating them. As long as they don't get wasted.