Cats and rats....

Question
Dear Carol, I asked this question on Interspecies/conflict, but the expert was unable to provide an answer, because they deal mainly with wild animals (And they did an excellent job providing an answer there with  my other questions). Many people are under the assumption that a cat can take care of their rat problem; however, I once read somewhere on the internet that cats have come in to vets wounded from rat bites (Please also bear in mind that it is believed much of the Black plague in Europe spread via rats whom brought in the disease via fleas, because people vilified and killed the cats during that period). Taking those parenthesis in mind my question is, Can an adult sized felis domestica (Common house cat) win in a fight against a common inner city American adult sized gray rat (The type that are currently in New York City subways)? Even your speculation would be welcomed.... My brother once said if what I'm saying is accurate about cats being injured his quote was, "You probably need a Lynx to deal with them (The rats)". I will await your reply. Thanks. William.
PS: Once ever in my life as a New Yorker I saw a feral cat one night running with a squealing rat in it's mouth that it held by the side of the neck, but that was extremely rare to see, and I never saw that again.

Answer
William,

Yes the cat would win. The rats in NYC are all one type: the Norway rat (Rattus Norvegicus). Also known as Common, Brown, Field or Sewer Rat. The super size giant rat is a myth. Though they have been known to be larger, the average Norway rat is only about 16 inches long including the tail, and weighs about 16 oz.

NYC rats rarely carry rabies and do not pose a heath threat. The Black rat of Europe carried the plague. The main flea hosts of the plague, the Oriental rat flea and the Northern rat flea, are not adaptable to NYC's climate. They thrive in the more tropical and semi-tropical zones with higher humidity and warmer temperatures.

Cats do not put much of a dent in the rat population because there are too many hiding places for the rats. If the cats do catch a rat is is usually only a smaller, weaker rat.

There are many, many more trips to the vet for injuries to cats due to bites received from other cats and dogs than from rats.

"You probably need a Lynx to deal with them (The rats)". No, all you need is a Rat Terrier dog and no hiding places for the rats. The dog would kill all the rats.

I hope this was helpful.

Carol