Yes, rats can make pets sick. Rats can carry a variety of diseases, parasites, and bacteria that can be harmful to common household pets like dogs, cats, and even small mammals such as guinea pigs and rabbits. Pets can become ill from direct contact with rats, or even indirectly through rat urine, droppings, or contaminated food and water. Understanding how rats transmit illness and what risks are involved can help you keep your pets safe.

Ways Rats Can Spread Diseases to Pets

Rats pass on diseases and parasites in several ways:

• Direct Contact: If your pet catches, bites, or is bitten by a rat, it can be exposed to bacteria and viruses found in the rat's saliva, blood, or body fluids.
• Indirect Contact: Pets might not need to encounter a live rat to get sick. Drinking or eating food and water contaminated by rat droppings or urine is a significant risk.
• Fleas and Ticks: Rats often have fleas, mites, or ticks on their bodies. These tiny parasites can jump onto your pets and transmit additional illnesses or cause skin irritations.

Common Diseases Rats Can Give to Pets

• Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial infection which rats spread through their urine. If pets drink or lick water, food, or surfaces contaminated with rat urine, they can develop symptoms like fever and kidney issues. It's dangerous and can sometimes be fatal if not treated. Leptospirosis is preventable in dogs through vaccination. The leptospirosis vaccine is recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association for dogs with outdoor exposure in areas with wildlife or rodent activity — which describes most NH properties. If your dog is not vaccinated against leptospirosis, speak with your vet, especially if you have a rodent problem on your property.
• Salmonella: Rats can carry Salmonella bacteria in their droppings. When pets eat contaminated food or even sniff areas where rats have been, they can get digestive illnesses and diarrhea.
• Rat-bite fever: This is a rare but serious bacterial infection. Pets can get it from bites, scratches, or contact with rat saliva or urine. Rat bite fever can occur when a dog or cat catches and is bitten by a rat. Symptoms in pets include fever, lethargy, and joint swelling. If your pet catches a rat and develops these symptoms within 3–5 days, veterinary evaluation is recommended.
• Toxoplasmosis: Rats can carry a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect cats if they eat a rat or something contaminated by rat feces. This infection is usually mild, but in some cases, it can cause health complications, especially in kittens or immunocompromised animals. While cats rarely show symptoms, they shed oocysts in their feces for several weeks after infection. This is significant for households with pregnant women — Toxoplasma in early pregnancy can cause serious fetal complications. Pregnant women should not handle cat litter boxes in a household with a mouse or rat problem and a hunting cat.

What are the Symptoms if Your Pet Gets Sick from Rats?

If your pet has been exposed to rats, or to places where rats have been, watch for these symptoms:

• Unexplained fever
• Lethargy (unusual tiredness or low energy)
• Loss of appetite or weight
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Sore or swollen joints
• Skin irritation, scratching, or hair loss
• Unusual drinking or urination habits

If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How Can You Protect Your Pets from Rats?

• Keep Your Home Clean: Store pet food in sealed containers and clean up spilled food or water right away.
• Limit Access: Block holes or gaps in your walls, attics, or garages to prevent rats from getting inside.
• Supervise Outside Time: Avoid letting your pets roam in areas where you know rats are present, especially at night when rats are most active.
• Use Safe Rodent Control Methods: Avoid using poisons or traps that could harm your pet if accidentally touched or eaten. Opt for pet-safe pest control solutions.
• Regular Vet Checks: Take your pets to the vet for regular health checkups and vaccinations. If your pet has been exposed to rats, make your veterinarian aware right away.

By understanding how rats can affect your pets and taking practical steps to prevent exposure, you can reduce the risk of your pets getting sick from rats and keep your whole household safer.

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