Rats and Dog Feces: Unpacking the Connection

Rats & Dog Feces: The Truth

Yes, rats can eat dog feces, but it is generally considered a last resort rather than a preferred food source. While the idea might be unsettling for pet owners, understanding this behavior is crucial for effective pest control.

Dog feces contain undigested food particles that can be appealing to rats, especially when other, more desirable food options are scarce. The smell of pet feces can also attract rats to a yard or property, signaling a potential food source. While not their top choice, dog poop can contribute to an existing rat problem, particularly in urban areas where various attractants are present.

Why Rats Might Eat Dog Feces

Rats are highly opportunistic eaters, meaning they will consume almost anything available to them for survival. They are omnivores, and their diet is incredibly adaptable, encompassing fruits, vegetables, meat, insects, and even carrion, according to Source 4.

Feces can contain some undigested nutrients, making it a viable, though unideal, food source when rats are desperate. In environments with limited food, rats will consume less desirable items, including feces, to survive. Source 4 notes that wild rats, when unable to find food, may even resort to eating their own feces or each other. This highlights their strong survival instinct to consume whatever is at hand.

Dog Feces & Rat Attraction

The smell of dog waste can signal a potential food source, drawing rats to an area. Lorie Gallup, residential code enforcement manager for the Department of Neighborhood Services in Milwaukee, states that the smell of pet feces attracts rats (Source 2).

However, dog feces is not the primary cause of rat infestations. Rats are more strongly drawn to readily available garbage, unsecured food waste, and general litter. Source 3 mentions that in many years of experience treating rat infestations, some of the worst have involved yards where dog feces is present, but also notes that dog waste is likely a last resort for hungry rats when other rodent attractants like fast food dumpsters and unsecured metal garbage cans are present. Steve Dale, cited in Source 5, even suggests that rat problems in Chicago have nothing to do with dog poop, stating that "Rats do not particularly like to eat dog poop."

Uncleaned dog feces can worsen an existing rat problem by providing an additional, albeit low-quality, food option. While not their preferred meal, it can contribute to the overall attractiveness of a property to rats.

Preventing Rat Attraction: A Checklist

Preventing rats from being attracted to your property involves a multi-faceted approach, focusing on eliminating potential food sources and reducing shelter.

Immediate cleanup of dog feces is a critical first step. Pick up dog feces immediately after your pet goes to the bathroom. This removes a potential food source and reduces the odor that can attract rats.

Secure waste bins are essential. Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent rats from accessing household waste, which is a primary food source for them.

Eliminating other food sources is equally important:

• Store pet food in airtight containers. Rats can eat dog food, though it's not ideal for their long-term health (Source 4).
• Clean up spilled birdseed or fallen fruit from trees.
• Avoid leaving human food waste exposed, especially overnight.

Reducing shelter makes your property less appealing for rats to live and breed:

• Trim overgrown vegetation, as dense bushes and plants can provide cover.
• Clear clutter and debris from your yard, such as old tires, woodpiles, or unused equipment.
• Seal cracks and holes in foundations and walls of your home and outbuildings. Even small openings can allow rats to enter.

Risks of Rats & Dog Feces

The presence of rats, especially when attracted by dog feces, carries several risks, primarily related to health and property damage.

Rats can carry various diseases, including leptospirosis and salmonellosis. These diseases can be spread through their feces or urine, potentially contaminating areas where dog feces are present. If a dog or human comes into contact with contaminated soil or surfaces, there is a risk of transmission.

The presence of any food source, including dog feces, can encourage rat populations to grow. More food means more rats can survive and reproduce, leading to an increased infestation. Exterminators suggest that for every single rat you see, there are likely 10 other rats nearby (Source 2).

If rodenticides are used to control rats, there is a significant risk of secondary poisoning. Pets or wildlife can be harmed if they consume poisoned rats or the bait directly. Lorie Gallup recommends hiring a professional to handle rat problems rather than purchasing rodenticide from a store and applying it yourself, due to the potential harm to wildlife (Source 2).

When to See a Professional

Recognizing the signs of a rat infestation and knowing when to call a professional is crucial for effective control and prevention of further issues.

Visible rats, especially during the day, often indicate a significant infestation. Rats are typically nocturnal, so daytime sightings suggest a large population that is competing for food.

Finding rat droppings in or around your property is a clear sign of their presence. These small, pellet-like droppings are often found near food sources, in secluded areas, or along their travel paths.

Evidence of gnawing on structures, wires, or food containers also points to a rat problem. Rats constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from overgrowing and will chew through various materials, including wood, plastic, and even electrical wires, posing fire hazards.

Discovering rat burrows in your yard, which are holes in the ground, indicates that rats are nesting on your property. The Department of Neighborhood Services in Milwaukee responds to complaints about rat burrows at residential properties (Source 2).

If you've taken preventative measures, such as cleaning up dog feces and securing food sources, but still observe persistent rat activity, it's time to consult a professional pest control service. They can accurately assess the extent of the infestation and implement targeted treatment plans.