Cats are known for their excellent hearing abilities, which allow them to hear sounds at much higher frequencies than humans can. It’s common knowledge that cats can hear mice scurrying and squeaking, even when the rodents are out of sight. But can cats detect mice that are hidden inside walls or ceilings?
How well can cats hear?
Cats have an incredibly wide hearing range. Their ears are capable of detecting sounds between 55 Hz on the low end and 79,000 Hz on the high end. For comparison, humans can only hear sounds between 64 Hz and 23,000 Hz. This means cats can hear sounds more than three times higher than the upper range of human hearing.
Not only can cats hear higher pitched sounds, but they can also detect much quieter sounds than humans can. Cats have very sensitive ears and can hear sounds as quiet as -5 to -10 decibels on the dB scale. Humans struggle to hear anything quieter than 0 dB. This is why cats seem to hear things we don’t – they are actually picking up on very soft sounds that are near the threshold of our hearing.
What frequencies do mice make?
Mice produce ultrasonic vocalizations and other noises within cats’ audible frequency range. Mouse squeaks and chirps often contain frequencies from 18kHz to over 100kHz. This is well within most cats’ hearing range of 55 Hz to 79kHz. Even low-frequency mouse activities like gnawing, digging, and scurrying across various surfaces create noises around 1kHz to 3kHz that cats can hear.
Can cats hear through walls?
Cats can detect higher frequency sounds like rodent squeaks and scrabbling through walls, floors, and ceilings thanks to their keen hearing abilities. However, lower frequencies that contain most of the energy and loudness in mouse noises will be significantly blocked and muffled by walls and building materials.
Thinner walls made of simple drywall or paneling block less sound energy than thick, dense walls made of brick, concrete, or insulated panels. The more barriers between the cat and the sound source, the more the sound will be attenuated as it passes through. Heavy insulation in walls can also absorb a lot of the sound energy.
Factors that influence sound transmission through walls
Several factors come into play in determining how well cats can hear mice through walls:
Wall Material
– Drywall: Does not block sound as well as more dense materials. Higher frequencies pass through easily.
– Wood/Plaster: More effective at blocking sound than drywall. Dense wood can block high pitched frequencies.
– Brick/Concrete: Excellent sound blockers due to their weight and density. Can block noises across a wide frequency range.
– Insulated walls: Contain insulation material that absorbs sound energy and prevents transmission. Great at blocking high and mid-range frequencies.
Wall Thickness
– Thinner walls (1-2 inches) allow more sound to transmit through them. Mice can be heard more easily.
– Thicker walls (6+ inches) significantly impede sound transmission and make mouse noises harder to detect.
– Double-layered walls with air gaps block more sound than single layer walls.
Construction Quality
– Hollow walls or those with gaps/cracks allow more sound to travel through.
– Solid, seamless construction prevents sound transmission between rooms or to the outside.
– Insulation type and installation quality impacts transmissions. Poor insulation leads to more sound travel.
Door and Window Seals
– Open doors or windows allow sound to easily travel between rooms.
– High quality seals and weatherstripping on gaps helps block sound when closed.
Floor and Ceiling Materials
– Wood or carpeted floors block less sound from floor below.
– Concrete slab foundations prevent upward sound transmission.
– Double-layered ceilings with insulation block attic mouse sounds.
Mouse noises cats can hear through walls
Here are some common mouse noises that cats are likely able to detect through interior walls if the conditions are right:
– High-pitched squeaking and chirping
– Nails or teeth scraping across surfaces
– Pattering of feet running across floors
– Scratching from digging or gnawing on materials
– Crunching sounds from chewing food
– Rustling of nesting materials
Thumps and lower frequency rumbling caused by mice jumping or falling may be blocked by walls. Ultra high-pitched mouse vocalizations likely attenuate to an undetectable level. But mid-range squeaks and scrabbling noises pass through easier.
Behaviors cats exhibit when hearing mice
If your cat seems to be hearing sounds you can’t detect, they may be picking up on rodents hiding behind the scenes. Here are some behaviors to look for:
– Intense staring at a wall or floor area, ears rotated forward
– Approaching specific areas and sniffing along the baseboards
– Pawing aggressively at walls, floors, or the ceiling
– Making chattering or chirping noises, possibly in “conversation” with the sounds
– Becoming agitated or overstimulated for no apparent reason
Cats may scratching at walls, poke their noses into cracks and crevices, or put their ears against surfaces trying to pinpoint the source of the noise they detect. If these behaviors are focused around a particular area, mice Activity may be to blame.
Ways to confirm mice in walls
If your cat seems convinced there are mice in hard-to-reach spots, try these methods to confirm:
– Listen for faint scratching or pattering noises in quiet areas. Use a stethoscope or glass held to the wall to amplify.
– Look for small holes in or behind baseboards, cabinets, ceilings. Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 1/4 inch.
– Sprinkle talcum/baby powder along baseboards or under suspected entry points. Look for small footprints.
– Place non-toxic tracking powder like fluorescent dust near openings. Mouse footprints will glow under black light.
– Examine the area for droppings, grease marks along walls, or gnaw marks. Signs of rubbing and dirt buildup around holes.
– Inspect for urine stains that glow under black light or use odor detecting products. Mouse urine has a strong musky smell.
If any evidence of mice is discovered, it’s best to consult an exterminator to evict and properly seal entrances. This will protect your home and finally give your cat relief from the unwanted wall invaders.
Conclusion
Cats can often hear sounds of mice moving and vocalizing through walls, floors, ceilings, and other structural barriers thanks to their specialized ears and fine-tuned hearing abilities. However, wall material, thickness, construction quality, insulation, and other factors influence how well rodent noises transmit from inaccessible voids where mice hide. While cats may be able to detect mid-to-high pitched scrabbling and squeaking, the noises are likely muffled and attenuated. Thumps and lower frequency sounds are harder to hear through solid barriers. But clever cats use all their senses and intuition to zero in on prey, even those out of sight. With patience and persistence, cats can pinpoint potential entry points and try to listen in on wily mice as they traverse through the inner spaces of your home.