I believe in treating all creatures with respect. My mission is to ensure everyone understands how to protect their home from rodents without using cruel methods.
Ok, brace yourselves. The answer is not very pretty!
Yes – rats do eat dog poop. I have personally seen a rat eating dog poop. It was one of those moments where I couldn’t stop watching, even though it was totally disgusting!
Take a minute to compose yourselves. I had to.
Rats need to eat around 30g of food per day, the rat will be tempted if it has not eaten enough and stumbles upon some dog poop!
Although rats eat dog poop, it is far down their list of preferred foods. I would not be using it as bait; there is much better rat bait.
Ok, now we know that rats eat dog poop; let’s look into it in more detail. Starting with this awesome infographic!
What Is It About Dog Feces That Rats Like?
First, it is a bit of a stretch to say that rats like to eat dog waste. Sure, they do eat it, but do they like it?
We will never know for sure.
We know they eat it, so they must be attracted to what is in dog waste, so let’s break it down to see what it has in it.
Protein
Fat
Carbohydrates
Water
As you can see, there are various elements of dog feces that a rat needs to consume to survive. Although the preference is to get these from other food sources, poop is still an option. This is especially true if the rat is desperate or hungry.
Does It Cause A Rat Infestation
On its own, dog poop does not cause a rat infestation. There is no evidence to suggest that it even increases the rat population.
Many other things have the potential to increase the number of rats in your area:
Poorly stored food
Access to water
Easy access to your home
Unkept yard (which offers safe travel through heavy shrubs and trees)
While keeping your yard free of dog poop is important, it is not a common cause of a rat infestation.
Keeping Your Yard Dog Poop Free
Do rats eat dog poop? Yes, they do. This means you need to keep your yard clean of the brown stuff. I mentioned above that dog poop does not cause a rat infestation. You must clear up any animal feces around your property regularly.
Not only will it stop desperate and hungry rats from eating it, but it will also keep your yard clean and tidy.
You should have a process for clearing dog poop ASAP from your yard and your surroundings. This should be completed at least once per day, or you could be asking for trouble. Not only that, but your neighbors will start to complain that your yard is causing the whole neighborhood to stink!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get sick if a rat brings in dog poop?
Yes, you can. Not only will the dog poop contain all kinds of bacteria that can make you sick, but rats can also bring life-threatening diseases into your home. You must clean up any dog poop immediately for your health and the health of those who live with you. Also – dog poop odor is not very welcoming to visitors!
Are rats attracted to feces?
Yes and no. Rats do eat dog poop, but I would not say they are generally attracted to it. There are many other foods that a rat prefers to eat, such as nuts and berries. Feces is way down on the list of foods that attract rats, but you never know how hungry they are!
How can I hide the smell of dog poop?
The first thing you need to do is clean it up. That will stop the odor from getting worse. Once you have gotten rid of the source of the odor, you can hide the smell by burning a joss stick, scented candle, or an air freshener spray. If this is inside your home, I suggest opening the windows to let the air escape and remove the bad smell.
Conclusion
Do rats eat dog poop? We have established in this post that rats do eat dog poop!
It is disgusting and poses a potentially serious health hazard!
The best thing you can do is clear dog poop as it ‘appears.’ Always have a scoop and some bags ready for when your dog produces the poop.
If you are concerned that your neighbor’s dog is pooping and it isn’t being cleared up quickly enough, you should speak with your neighbor and relay your concerns.
Rats eat dog poop, but it is not high on their list of food substances, and will certainly not create a rat infestation on its own. You should always ensure your home and yard are clean at all times. This will reduce the chances of a serious rat infestation.
I’m an expert in do-it-yourself rodent control. For more than 20 years, I’ve dedicated my life to helping people live harmoniously alongside these critters by sharing rodent control solutions that are effective and kind.
I believe in treating all creatures with respect. My mission is to ensure everyone understands how to protect their home from rodents without using cruel methods.
