Whilst catching a mouse or a rat may be a natural activity for cats and in some cases, dogs, eating rodents can have undesirable consequences on our pets. Dangers include infection from intestinal worms and/or toxoplasmosis as well as the possibility of suffering from secondary rat bait poisoning.
Can a dog get sick from a rat?
Keep your dog on a lead “The fatal bacterial infection is spread by rats and other rodents. Dogs can become infected by direct contact (from a rat bite or from eating a rat) and indirect contact (drinking urine-contaminated water or licking contaminated soil).”
What should you do if your dog eats a rat?
If you suspect your dog has swallowed rodenticide call your vet or, out of hours, your nearest pet emergency service immediately. Rat poisoning in dogs is an emergency that can't wait until morning.
Can my dog get sick from killing rats?
The answer is a definite yes. Your dog may be at risk if it has killed a rat. There are a variety of diseases and parasites that can be transmitted from a rat to your dog through touch, bite, and exposure to body fluids. These include afflictions like fever and plague, as well as the well-known roundworm.
Why would my dog eat a rat?
It is instinctive for cats and dogs to pursue small prey, such as rodents and birds. In some cases, pets simply pursue and kill the prey. In other cases, the prey animal is consumed by pets.
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