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If you’ve been a pet parent to a dog for any length of time, you know dogs can eat anything and everything! So, you may not be surprised to learn that our canine companions may even eat a dead rat! Yuck! But what happens if a dog eats a dead rat? Can he become sick?
Has your dog eaten a dead rat? Are you worried the dead rat will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about dead rats and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is a Rat?
Rats are rodents that look like large mice with long tails. They live all over the world; the most common vermin are black rats and brown rats. They use human dwellings to build their nests, find food, and more. These rodents are almost everywhere we live.
Moreover, rats are nocturnal animals, meaning they’re most active at night. It’s rare to see a rat out in the daylight. In addition, these critters are omnivores that eat almost everything, including insects, human foods (such as grains), other animals, and more.
Dead Rats – Should You Worry?
Rats are common rodents. It’s not unusual to come across dead rats near your home. Some may die of disease while others die of rat poison. If a dog ingests a rat that died from poison, it is possible he could also be poisoned. This is called “secondary poisoning.”
The good news is that a rat may not have enough poison in its system to kill the dog. However, it does depend on the size, weight, and health of the dog.
In addition, rats carry a wide variety of pathogens, including Leptospira, Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter, and others. These pathogens can pass on to other animals, including dogs.
One more potential problem is if the bones of the rat clump together anywhere in the dog’s digestive tract. In that case, the bones could cause an obstruction.
So, it is possible for your dog to get sick from eating a dead rat.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Dead Rat Ingestion in Dogs
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Weakness
- Pale gums
- Pinpoint blisters
- Bruising on the belly
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in stool or urine
If your dog has eaten a rat or you suspect that is the case, and he shows any of these symptoms, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Rat Ingestion in Dogs
Treatment depends on the vet’s diagnosis. In case of poisoning, the vet may have an antidote. If he diagnoses your dog with anticoagulant rat poisoning, the vet will give your dog Vitamin K1.
Otherwise, the vet may suggest that you monitor your dog for symptoms of other health issues. If you notice any symptoms mentioned by the vet, call them right away. The vet will make a decision on the best course of action to help your dog.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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