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My dog killed a rat. What are the health risks? Does he need a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Male | neutered

My dog just killed a rat in our garden, do I need to take him to a vet?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on April 28th, 2017

Examine your dog for any sign of injury due to the fight with the rat (if any). If any (which is likely, sometimes even inside the mouth) take him to your veterinarian for an examination. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid licking/scratching at the wound. If your dog is not vaccinated for Leptospira, take him to your local vet anyway. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    If he didn't ingest the rats and he is fully vaccinated than no, you do not have to take him to the vet. if he did ingest the rat or isn't vaccinated he is in risk of rat poisoning and other possible diseases that the rat carries and needs to be taken to the vet right away.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 13th, 2017

    You are correct there is a concern with Heha killing and chewing on dead rats because rats are vectors for leptospirosis and other diseases. I would take the rats away from her immediately, she should not be allowed to ingest any of the rat. I would take her into a vet right away for blood tests. She should get two blood tests two to four weeks apart to check if antibodies are being produced in response to infection from leptospirosis. This is called the rising antibody test. The vet may want to start Heha on medications as a precaution to prevent any infections from occurring.

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When my dogs are out side they kill rats, if I were to get doggy mouth wash and put some in there water will that clean out there mouth ? How else can I clean there mouth after them killing rats? Thank you in advance! :)
The mouth is not the problem, the problem is if they ingested the rat or not and if they are vaccinated or not, these are the two important factors when dealing with a dog the kills a rat, the mouth is irrelevant. if your dog ingested the rat you must take him to the vet urgently, because of the high risk of rat poison (this will likely be deadly if left untreated), the second issue is vaccination, if your dog is not vaccinated he is in risk of contracting a disease called leptospirosis which can cause severe health problems and in some cases can be fatal as well.
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My dog killed a rat in the yard this morning. He didn't eat it but I'm not sure if it bit him or not
In these cases close monitoring is needed both for any possible wound/injury from the fight and possible poisoning (some of these rats can be poisoned with rodenticide). Any external wound, lethargy, inappetence, signs of cough, vomiting or diarrhoea should be checked by your local vet.
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If my dog ( chihuahua / Italian Greyhound) was bitten by a rat while he perused it, but I can’t see anything, what can I do for it? What can the vet do for it in the morning?
A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are usually needed. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
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Hi I found a dead rat w/some blood in my dogs bed and I think he might have licked it or maybe chewed it, I'm concerned he can get sick or get us sick what should I do to prevent this?
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My dog killed a rat. Do rats carry rabies? Should I be worried about any other diseases?
[Rabies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/rabies/) in rats and other small rodents is extremely rare. I would be more concerned with the possibility that the rat had been poisoned elsewhere and its weakness was why your dog was able to catch and kill it. Leptospirosis, an infectious disease that affects the liver and/or kidneys, is also a high risk from contact with rats. Other possible diseases your dog could contract from contact with rats are: • Rat Bite Fever (*Streptobacillus moniliformis* form). Dogs can be infected by the bacteria by biting or eating infected rats. Dogs do not themselves get sick, but serve as carriers for the infection, passing it along to humans. • [Tularemia](https://www.petcoach.co/article/tularemia-rabbit-fever-in-dogs) is caused by the *Francisella tularensis* bacterium. Rabbits, hares and rodents, including rats, are particularly susceptible to the organism, and often die in large numbers during an outbreak. If a dog eats a rat (or other animal
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My dog was bitten by a rat. What will I do? What first aid will I give to him? By the way she has never encounter any vaccination. She's 2 1/2yrs old and she's a mongrel. Pls adv. asap. Thanks
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Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco! Good job Jackson. Probably not but I would monitor Jackson closely since the rat could've scratched or bitten him somewhere. Rats and other rodents don't transmit rabies so that is not a concern. I would just watch for any areas that become swollen, painful, or have some discharge which could indicate infection from the rat scratching/biting. Good luck with Jackson.
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If this is a rat bite there is a risk it will get infected, and it may turn into an abscess, or the infection may spread elsewhere, which can be dangerous to Bini’s health. Rats can carry a number of diseases that can be dangerous to humans as well, so I advise you to have Bini seen by a vet to address the potential bite. The area is likely very sore, and Bini will probably not let you clean it appropriately at home. Although rabies transmission from a rat bite is uncommon, it is not impossible, so your vet will need to address monitoring/vaccinating Bini accordingly. She may also need antibiotics, which can only be prescribed by a vet. Good luck!
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