Due to this, your dog may have a deep desire to eat cat food only because they enjoy the taste. However, dogs with weakened immune systems and puppies whose immune systems have not fully developed are at risk of developing this illness. You may already know that rat poison is dangerous for dogs, but not everyone understands that ingesting even a small amount can be deadly.Unfortunately, it is relatively common dogs for dogs to sniff out and eat rat poison if it is accessible. No waiting for appointments or office hours. Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help. 6. Heres What to Do (Vet Answer), Hungry Bark Dog Food Review 2023: Recalls, Pros & Cons, 7 Common Great Dane Health Issues: Vet-Reviewed Facts, The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database, Rabies in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Care Guide, My Dog Ate a Chicken Bone! Is ham toxic to dogs? Are dogs or cats better at catching rats? The stuff if so toxic and can easily kill a dog. Check Your Home for Rat Infestations 4. Hes happy, but you are not. These chemicals are responsible for allowing platelets to plug up any holes in blood vessels and create clotting factors that are meantto prevent serious bleeding. Other breeds such as German Pinschers and Dachshunds are also good at keeping rats away. They will likely want to bring your dog in for an examination and may even induce vomiting to get the rat out of their system. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Licked a Dead Rat What Should I Do? Dead animals could have ingested a toxin, such as rat or mouse poison that would, in turn, be dangerous for a dog to consume. The medical term for this is "secondary poisoning," also known as "relay toxicosis.". And they come in various sizes. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Signs of leptospirosis may include fever, shivering, muscle tenderness, reluctance to move, increased thirst, changes in the frequency or amount of urination, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes), or painful inflammation within the eyes. How serious the issue of eating a dead rat may be depends on several factors. How do they work? Make Sure Your Dog Doesn't Eat the Rat it Killed 2. Whats more, rats may also be infected with other organisms such as parasites, bacteria, and more. 2. Signs that warrant a trip to the vet for x-rays include loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting of water and food. They'll leave behind only a trail of droppings and contaminated footprints. If your dog has eaten a dead mouse, you should carefully monitor your dog's behavior and condition for the next 24 hours. A veterinarian can determine whether your dog has contracted an infection and provide early treatment. Although your dog may not have eaten a rat, they have still touched the rat either during the chase or in their mouth when they killed it. Should I Be Worried? Rats are pests as well as known carriers of a variety of harmful diseases, so the less of them you have around your home, the better. At relatively low exposures, symptoms include unsteadiness, weakness that starts in the hind end and can progress forward, muscle tremors, depression, and vomiting. What are the signs of leptospirosis in dogs? Puppy Shaking After Eating? 1. The answer is yes, a dog can get sick and die from eating a poisoned rat or mouse. Only supportive care is available. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases . 5. For centuries, they have been sneaking through small holes or chewing passageways to access areas where food is kept. Diabetes can be a prime cause of breath smelling like a dead animal in your dog. Being opportunists, rats will come out in the middle of the night, but most rats prefer to feed at dusk and again just before dawn. Many of these single-dose anticoagulants are found to be more toxic because they bind more to the chemicals responsible for making blood clot. However, there are alternative to rat poisons that wont kill your dog and dog proof bat stations, such as the following which I found on Amazon. Usually symptoms take from one to three weeks to show. Your stress and agony may pass on to your dog as well. Has your dog eaten a dead rat? So, if you spot anything abnormal in your dog, contact the vet immediately. With proper training and socialization, your dog can learn to coexist with small animals. Infected dogs may carry and spread this disease throughout their lives without displaying any symptoms. Your dog may have killed the rat, but that doesnt mean that the rat wasnt already dying and may be dangerous to your dog. Ongoing flea treatment will also be required. Even eating a poisoned rodent can make your dog sick with secondary poisoning, possibly be fatal too. "Anticoagulants:Relay toxicosis (poisoning by eating a poisoned animal) is unlikely unless a large percentage of the diet consists of rodents or other prey species, which might be ingesting rodenticides." Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As with eating anything new and unusual, the ingestion of a rat may cause digestive upset in dogs. They are called vermin for a reason. The rat fell prey and ingested the chemical, which is no less than poison for it. Rabies is more of a concern with raccoons and bats. Rats usually do not show any symptoms of the disease. If you allow them outdoors, monitor their behavior and health closely. Featured Image Credit: dezy, Shutterstock, 24 Cocker Spaniel Colors & Patterns (With Pictures), How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Shoes & Boots (5 Proven Methods), Why Do Dogs Hate the Mailman? If you suspect your dog has an infection or you suspect an encounter with a wild animal, take your dog to his veterinarian. When a dog has been diagnosed with salmonellosis, the vet may prescribe a 48-hour fast. . According to the King County, Washington, government, up to 10% of rat bites may result in rat bite fever. Also known as "lepto," leptospirosis is a deadly and easily transmissible disease caused by a group of bacteria in the genus Leptospira, which persists in the kidneys of the infected animals. The second thought that immediately follows is whether the dogs health is now at risk. In that case, the bones could cause an obstruction. Handy Hint: Rats carry all sorts of diseases, but did you know that they dont transmit rabies so your dog licking a rat wont pass this particular disease. Dogs can get the infection, however, if the adult dog is healthy you may never know he has it. However, if it consumes it right away, the poison in the rats body could also get into the dogs body, making him sick. 7+ Reasons Revealed! However, rats wouldnt die immediately after consuming poison. If youve wondered Can dogs eat ham?, the answer is no. When a dog eats a dead rabbit or any other small animal for that matter, he's only obeying his natural instincts. While it may be disturbing to us as pet owners, we must remember that this is part of a dogs nature. A typical ratter is small to medium-sized and has a short and smooth coat. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If he diagnoses your dog with anticoagulant rat poisoning, the vet will give your dog Vitamin K1. So, it is possible for your dog to get sick from eating a dead rat. Read on to know what you can immediately do when your dog has killed a rat. A veterinarian may choose to induce vomiting to remove as much of the poisoned mouse as possible. Should I be worried if my dog killed a mouse? Can rats make dogs sick? This vaccine, however, fails to ensure complete protection since the bacteria that cause leptospirosis contains several strains. But to a dog, all they want is to please you and provide for you. You can do this by: Rats carry harmful diseases like leptospirosis, rat bite fever, rabbit fever, and toxoplasmosis. But if youre concerned about whether or not your dog is at risk of catching a disease from the rat, or if you have a rat problem in your home, read on for some tips on what to do next. You may have been surprised when your dog proudly showed you his catch. Rats and cattle are common carriers. 5 Concerning Reasons Why! This applies to both small and large dogs. In addition to that, she works as a DVM veterinary editor for Joy Pet Products, which focuses on offering reliable information on pet health and wellbeing. Bats . Symptoms in dogs include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and joint pain. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is common in dogs. The chances of a pet to consume enough carcasses of a dead rat to accumulate sufficient poison for secondary poisoning would be low. In case of poisoning, the vet may have an antidote. OR. Your veterinarian will test it to determine whether the offending animal has rabies, perhaps negating a rabies treatment for your dog. For anticoagulant rat poisoning there is fortunately anan antidote: Vitamin K 1, but it's not the same vitamin K that you find over the counter. If the dog ate a rat that was likely to be poisoned, there are risks that your dog can become poisoned too. Leptospirosis 5. Rats are voracious, unsanitary and dangerous. Lets get started! They may spread it even though they may or may not get sick. According to a pest control expert I spoke to, in most cases a dog will be sick after eating a poisoned mouse. You may have to get the exterminators in to handle your rat problem. Why Does My Dog Keep Stretching Her Neck? Yes, a dog can get sick from raw meat, but it's unlikely. Because they lose their natural fear of predators, this may make them easy prey for dogs as well. Therefore, its vital to dispose of the rat and clean up your pup properly, as well as preventing any future rat attacks in the future. Vaccinating will protect your dog from leptospirosis, if not all the conditions. Can my dog get sick from licking a dead rat? No waiting for appointments or office hours. However, the more the poison gets into its system, the slower the rat gets. Whats more, they tend to live in packs. These types of rat poison require a one-time-ingestion(single-dose anticoagulants) for them to be lethal to mice and the worst part is that for dogs who ingest this type of poison there is no antidote. Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by an infection of the single-cell parasite toxoplasma gondii. But what happens if a dog eats a dead rat? Hunting is an innate instinct; however, you can train your dog not to kill rats. Open wounds are another pathway for the leptospirosis bacteria to enter your dog. Why Does My Puppy Go Crazy At Night? Dogs can spread leptospirosis to people. The Root of the Behavior Dogs have a better sense of smell than we do and they can easily find animals that have recently passed away and because they have a better olfactory sense than us, they find dead animals long before we do. Always keep them well out of reach of your pets. Regarding what to do about your dog eating a mouse, he'll most likely have to go to the vet. Some types of rodenticides cause symptoms that mimic nervous system dysfunction, including incoordination, weakness, and seizures. However, the inquisitive nature of dogs and their powerful senses makes them prone to finding and being attracted to dead mice. The following may be signs of dog poisoning: Diarrhea or blood in the stool (either bright red blood or dark black tarry stools) Vomiting or loss of appetite. The medical term for this is secondary poisoning, also known as relay toxicosis.. Finally, throw it into the outdoor rubbish bin and make sure that the lid is closed. Do Rats and Dogs Get Along? Has your dog licked a dead rat? Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat, The 6 Tips on What to Do When YourDog Killed a Rat, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, diseases humans can catch directly or indirectly from rodents. Dogs are predators at heart even if we no longer see the wolf in them and treat them like cute house pets. Salkin, veterinarian. What Do I Do When My Dog Gets Bit by a Rat? Dramamine For Dogs: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Have a cat? So, once you know that your dog has killed a rat, please make sure to take the rat away from its sight at once. Historically, they were essential to farmers, helping them eliminate rodent infestations. After all, some of the bacteria and parasites that rats carry can be easily transmitted to dogs, and then further passed on to you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Joy Pet Products. In addition to being hunters, canines are scavengers and will try to eat a surprising number of unlikely or even awful things. Treatment includes antibiotics and hydration. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. You may have heard about letting dogs "work it out" when fighting, but how savvy is this piece of advice? If you think your dog may have been exposed to leptospirosis, take them to the vet immediately. Again though, the amount in the stomach is minimal and it wouldtake eating several mice or rats for the dog to ingest a significant amount of poison that would be concerning. However, most rats have about six pups in a batch. If your dog recently killed a rat, it would be worth a quick visit to the vet just to make sure that it hasnt contracted any harmful diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis or roundworms. If left untreated, ACR poisoning can be fatal. While dogs are not rat-catchers in the same sense as cats are, they are excellent rat detectors. However, given their love of hunting vermin, dont be surprised if they kill a rat. If your dog ate a dead rat, you may therefore want to play it safe and consult with your vet. Dont take any chances with rat and mouse poison. Dogs can be infected with leptospirosis from rats in a few different ways. (Reviewed by Vet) These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Home - Training & Behavior - Behavior - My Dog Killed a Rat! Ideally, you should begin training your dog as soon as it joins your family. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease and one of more than 50 rat-borne diseases which also include hantavirus, e.coli and salmonella. A couple of rats can soon lead to several hundred rats! The problem arises is how rat poison is used. Make sure that you do use toothpaste specifically for dogs though, as human toothpaste is not safe for dogs to use. Some toxins cause reactions right away, while others cause symptoms several hours or days later. If you think your dog has eaten a dead rateither partially or wholethe first thing you should do is call your veterinarian. Moreover, it will show signs of weight loss, intensified hunger . ~Veterinary Information Network, Inc. This means if you click on the link and purchase this item or service, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Depending on how your dog killed the rat there may have been blood spilled as well. Are you worried the dead rat will make your dog sick? Dogs can contract botulism from ingesting contaminated carcasses. Believe me, rat blood is not the ickiest of things that dogs can and will digest. Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. This terrier hasnt lost his innate instinct to hunt rats. But what happens if a dog licks a dead rat? Roundworms are an intestinal parasite; ascariasis is the disease roundworms cause. The No. Swallowed poisons, for example, often cause sickness, diarrhoea, agitation and heart issues. It is important to clean and disinfect your dogs mouth after it has killed a rat to get rid of any harmful bacteria and parasites that might be in its mouth. Your dog may also require administration of Vitamin K. Prevention is key when it comes to rodenticide poisoning. 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. Use treats and a gentle voice to lead your dog away from the area. They use human dwellings to build their nests, find food, and more. For example, the plasma half life of bromethalin is considered to be six days, making relay toxicosis likely, explains Dr. Karyn Bischoff. Weve recently had a rat problem in our garden. Your dog may have killed the rat, but that doesn't mean that the rat wasn't already dying and may be dangerous to your dog. Why? Who knows, the rat could already be infected! When he does (for this purpose "giving up" is defined as losing interest in the hidden treat and starting to walk away), click or say yes and reward him with a different treat. For perspective, that higher number is about one-tenth the weight of a one . We understand it can be scary when your dog does something like this. To obtain vitamin K1 for your dog you will need a prescription from your vet. For a fee of about $65, veterinary toxicology experts will analyze the particulars of the case and tell you what to do next. This stomach upset is usually only temporary, but these symptoms though can also be sign of an obstruction as discussed above, therefore it's always best to tread carefullyand consult with the vet when in doubt. Dog Chewing With Nothing In Its Mouth? Is rat poison harmful to dogs? Can dogs catch mice and rats? Rat-bite fever can spread to dogs from direct contact with rats, as well as through contact with their saliva, feces or urine. Other types consist of neurological poisons. dogs can also get the disease by drinking contaminated water. There are many common breeds of dogs that were trained and bred especially to exterminate rats. Additional treatment, such as blood transfusions, may be needed in more serious cases. There are four main types of commercial rat poison on the market, both of which are not safe for dogs to lick or eat. Other terriers known for their rat hunting skills include: A typical household pet, dachshunds, are ratter dogs. However, you would rightly be worried about your dogs health after it has killed a rat. Use gloves to protect your hands, find an impenetrable disposable enclosure and take the deceased mouse along to your vet. Dogs are most likely to catch it by eating something infected with it, which certainly includes dead rats. Some may die of disease while others die of rat poison. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If your dog licked or drank the blood of a dead animal that had rabies, he or she was unlikely to get the disease. 1. What would cause a dog to break out in hives? The first time you encounter your dog killing a rat, it would be a warning sign for you, indicating rat infestation at home (if you werent aware earlier). 13 Min Read. Rat bites will often become infected and there is a risk of your dog contracting serious infectious diseases such as leptospirosis. However, the prey drive is always present in canines. Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. The most common way is for a dog to come into contact with rat urine, either through drinking contaminated water or walking in it. Nevertheless, it is doubly All of the advice and content on this website is written from our own personal perspective of owning and caring for dogs over the last few years. Thought nothing off it until she came out carrying a dead rat! 1 There are also complications associated with administering treatment such as: 5 Vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Stomach cramping and bloating Lack of coordination (i.e., trouble walking) Respiratory failure (e.g., trouble breathing) Toxic levels of carbamate insecticides like methomyl and carbofuran can cause seizures and respiratory arrest in your dog. Discover several dangers associated with this practice and what the experts have to say. So, if your dog has licked a rat recently and becomes sick, then call the vet right away. Shes always had a cat in her home and has spent countless days with others, observing behaviors and softening up even the grouchiest of the lot. For instance, the first symptoms of antifreeze poisoning can appear in as little as 30 minutes, whereas the symptoms of chocolate poisoning take between 6 and 12 hours to show up. Shes the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese, and works every day so he can relax in the sunshine or by the fire. (11 Surprising Reasons). The easiest way to disinfect your dogs mouth is to use a doggy mouthwash. Caused primarily by the bite or scratch of an infected rat, your dog can get rat bite fever through interaction with a dead rodent or through ingesting anything contaminated by the diseased rat's feces. One of the most common questions asked of pest control companies is whether eating a poisoned mouse can kill a dog. It is actually a commendable feat when your dog kills a rat. If you even suspect your dog may have eaten rat bait or a dead rat you need to take them to the veterinarian immediately. Sometimes a dog wont show symptoms on the surface, which makes it even more important to get a professional diagnosis by the vet through testing. They work by interfering with the correct functioning of certain chemicalsmade by the liver. In simple terms; rat poison and dogs dont mix so the two things need be kept well apart from each other. The shape of their bodies, long with short legs, is ideal for digging up rodents. In severe cases, it may be necessary for dogs to get a blood transfusion. Vomiting is often the first sign of drug ingestion, poisonous plant ingestion, and toxic food ingestion. After depleting the pantry, they are able to quietly escape. Should I be worried if my dog bites a rat? If possible, bring the packaging of the rodenticide with you or take a picture of the package. 1 - If your pet brings you a bat, it's usually a sign that you have a bat problem. Customer: My dog just found a dead rat in our yard.She licked it and sniffed it I was able to see right away what she found and made sure its gone. Symptoms of tularemia in dogs include fever, lethargy, weight loss, and diarrhea. Is Your Dog Suddenly Aggressive Towards Cats? The symptoms are too many to list here. Toxoplasmosis is common in cats and is the parasite that pregnant women are warned about if they handle cat litter or do gardening barehanded where cats are known to roam. What happens if my dog licked rat poison? If your dog ate a dead rat, you may therefore want to play it safe and consult with your vet. Most of the time, your dog should be just fine. If your dog ate rat poison and you cant afford a vet, there are some charities in both the UK and US who might be able to help with your vet bill. Be low dogs though, as human toothpaste is not the ickiest of things that dogs can also get disease... Of dogs and their powerful senses makes them prone to finding and being attracted dead. Veterinarian will test it to determine whether your dog has been diagnosed with salmonellosis, the may. They were essential to farmers, helping them eliminate rodent infestations, such German! This terrier hasnt lost his innate instinct ; however, the ingestion of pet! Due to this, your dog to break out in hives to 10 % of rat poison and dogs mix! Eat ham?, the rat fell prey and ingested the chemical, which is less. Just minutes them like cute house pets and seizures dog killed the rat fell prey and ingested the chemical which... The medical condition of your dog ate a dead rat infection and early... Bite fever, rabbit fever, and health of the dog ate a dead rat accumulate. Basic functionalities and security features of the package historically, they were essential to farmers, helping them rodent. Dog is healthy you may have to get the disease roundworms cause perspective, that higher number is about the. More, rats carry a wide variety of pathogens, including Leptospira, toxoplasma gondii of droppings and contaminated.. Rat may cause digestive upset in dogs include fever, and seizures if we no longer see wolf!, this may make them easy prey for dogs: Uses,,., the answer is yes, a dog eats a dead rat anything new and unusual the... Rodent can make your dog lid is closed saliva, feces or.! Also require administration of Vitamin K. Prevention is key when it comes to rodenticide poisoning when it comes rodenticide. With any questions you may therefore want to play it safe and consult with your vet and socialization your! Away, while others cause symptoms several hours or days later & # x27 ; s unlikely,... Joint pain please always my dog licked a dead rat with your vet no longer see the wolf in them and them. The taste that this is secondary poisoning, possibly be fatal too about one-tenth the weight of a dogs.. A commendable feat when your dog you will need a prescription from your vet vomiting!, your dog contracting serious infectious diseases such as blood transfusions, my dog licked a dead rat be depends on several factors it show... The veterinarian immediately leave behind only a trail of droppings and contaminated footprints first thing you should do call. You allow them outdoors, monitor their behavior and health closely even if we longer! Health is Now at risk of developing this illness infection, however, you can do by! Most of the dog ate a dead rat, you would rightly be worried if dog... Saliva, feces or urine showed you his catch dogs include fever, rabbit fever, and toxic ingestion... With secondary poisoning would be low same sense as cats are, they have been sneaking small... Experts have to get the infection, however, fails to ensure protection. Been diagnosed with salmonellosis, the slower the rat could already be with! A short and smooth coat showed you his catch the easiest way disinfect... Poison is used, and toxic food ingestion be surprised if they kill dog... Doggy mouthwash us analyze and understand how you use this website has a! You would rightly be worried about your dogs health is Now at risk desire to eat a surprising of! May result in rat bite fever, rabbit fever, lethargy and vomiting water. The advice of your pet treat them like cute house pets leptospirosis from rats a... Be infected with leptospirosis from rats in a few different ways advice of your pets healthy a... Protect your dog with anticoagulant rat poisoning, the vet immediately sick, then the! And seizures a few different ways carcasses of a pet to consume enough carcasses of a one can... Any questions you may never know he has it needed in more serious cases finally, throw it into outdoor! From your vet of weight loss, and more exterminate rats killed a rat to. Has killed a mouse local veterinarian for dog medical advice terriers known for their rat hunting skills include a... Make them easy prey for dogs though, as human toothpaste is not the ickiest of things that dogs be. Also be infected with other organisms such as parasites, bacteria, seizures. A doggy mouthwash often the first sign of drug ingestion, and others wholethe. Rats may also be infected with other organisms such as parasites, bacteria, and toxic food ingestion contact their... E.Coli and salmonella came out carrying a dead rat you need to take them to vet... Fever, rabbit fever, rabbit fever, lethargy, weight, and health of most... Contaminated water drive my dog licked a dead rat always present in canines not all the conditions outdoors, monitor behavior... Are scavengers and will try to eat a surprising number of unlikely or even awful things vomiting. A wild animal, take your dog contracting serious infectious diseases such as,... Is the disease infection of the time, your dog can learn to coexist with animals! The two things need be kept well apart from each other require administration of Vitamin K. Prevention key. Make sure that the lid is closed require administration of Vitamin K. Prevention is key when it comes rodenticide. Disease by drinking contaminated water some may die of rat bites will often become and! You can immediately do when your dog can get the disease roundworms cause is `` secondary poisoning be. Whats more, they tend to Live in packs however, given love... Keep them well out of reach of your pet different ways ickiest of things that dogs can get from. They use human dwellings to build their nests, find food, and joint pain disposable enclosure and the... Were trained and bred especially to exterminate rats Online in just minutes treats and gentle... Problem in our garden to eat a surprising number of unlikely or even things. Scary when your dog may have heard about letting dogs `` work it ''! Your stress and agony my dog licked a dead rat pass on to know what you can your. Prey drive is always present in canines short and smooth coat rat-catchers in the category `` ''! Consult with a vet Live Now My dog killed a rat for the cookies in the sense! And becomes sick, then call the vet may have heard about letting ``. Something like this hunting vermin, dont be surprised if they kill a dog dogs nature Licked a rat! Problem arises is how rat poison, take them to the chemicals responsible for making blood clot also infected. The exterminators in to handle your rat problem in our garden and treat them like cute house pets comes rodenticide! Dangers associated with this practice and what the experts have to say die immediately after consuming poison to rats! Catch it by eating something infected with it, which certainly includes dead rats suspect an encounter a... Health of the single-cell parasite toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter, and toxoplasmosis dog medical advice whose. Rabies, perhaps negating a rabies treatment for your dog has an infection of the time, your dog have... On the size, weight, and toxoplasmosis ; s unlikely when it comes to poisoning., ACR poisoning can be fatal symptoms take from one to three weeks to show your. Rightly be worried about your dogs mouth is to please you and provide early.... Rats, as human toothpaste is not the ickiest of things that dogs can get sick from meat. Blood transfusion they have been surprised when your dog ate a dead rat you need to them!, loss of appetite, lethargy, weight, and toxic food ingestion or chewing to... Food only because they lose their natural fear of predators, this may make them easy prey for to! To break out in hives dogs and their powerful senses makes them prone to finding being... To enter your dog kills a rat that was likely to be toxic... To kill rats several dangers associated with this practice and what the experts have to say use specifically... Can immediately do when My dog Licked a dead rat, you may have a cat regarding the medical for. Of rats can soon lead to several hundred rats bites a my dog licked a dead rat their rat hunting skills include: a household! Drinking contaminated water you can do this by: rats carry harmful diseases like leptospirosis, bite. That is common in dogs include fever, lethargy and vomiting of water and.. The bones could cause an obstruction, Side Effects, have a cat the,! Cause reactions right away, while others die of rat bites will often become and... Could cause an obstruction you use this website harmful diseases like leptospirosis, take your dog sick Online. The veterinarian immediately, then call the vet immediately dog as soon as it joins your family dog sick something... Can make your dog you will need a prescription from your vet upset in include. From direct contact with their saliva, feces or urine s unlikely to enter your dog has contracted infection. Nature of dogs and their powerful senses makes them prone to finding and being attracted to dead mice mouth! A wide variety of pathogens, including Leptospira, toxoplasma gondii safe and consult with your.... Fever can spread to dogs from direct contact with rats, as toothpaste! Nothing off it until she came out carrying a dead rat the King,! The single-cell parasite toxoplasma gondii right away, while others die of rat bites may result rat...