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My dog killed a rat. Is he at risk for rabies or other diseases?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
My dog killed a rat. Do rats carry rabies? Should I be worried about any other diseases?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on October 9th, 2015
• 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 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) infected by this organism or drinks water contaminated by infected rodent waste, the dog can become ill as well as passing the disease on to humans. Symptoms in dogs include refusal to eat, fever, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. If not caught and treated, it can lead to death. In humans the symptoms are specific to the mode of infection (deer fly, ticks, contaminated water, handling dead infected animals, etc.) but can include: chills, eye irritation, fever, headache, joint stiffness, muscle pain, ulcers on skin, shortness of breath, sweating and weight loss.
• Bubonic plague: dogs can become carriers of the *Yersinia pestis* bacterium if they are bitten by the flea of an infected rat. Dogs do not tend to be sickened by bubonic plague but can pass the disease on to human caretakers.
• Salmonellosis can be transmitted to a dog that encounters the fecal material of rats, other rodents and especially reptiles. Symptoms in canines include: fever, diarrhea, dehydration and shock. Death can occur if untreated, and the dog can spread the infection to human through its feces.
399Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on February 6th, 2019
There are a few things that can spread from rats. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause liver an kidney failure and can spread to humans. It has a variable presentation that can range from malaise to increased urination. It is a serious and potentially fatal condition. There is a vaccine available and I recommend to make sure your pups are up to date if they come in contact with rats. The vaccine is for the most common serovars but other ones do exist. The incubation period is usually 4-14 days.
Bacteria infections if the rat bite the dogs. This will usually present within a few days to weeks.
Fleas and worms can also spread from rats and it could be months before they show clinical signs.
Rare diseases from rats include:
Rabies is very unlikely in rodents but it’s possible. It is spread through contact with the saliva. Rabies is fatal and can also be transmitted to humans. Typical quarantine times are 45 days but this does vary by state.
Other uncommon conditions include plague, Tuleremia and Toxoplasmosis.
You pets could also be complete fine but check them over for any signs of bites or scratches from the rat. Monitor them vet closely for any signs of illness. I also recommend to call you veterinarian and ask about any known disease outbreaks in your location as well as alert them just in case to the situation. You can ask about the vaccines then.
I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 9th, 2017
There are a couple of different diseases that a dog can get from a rat. Intestinal worms and other parasites are the most commonly acquired diseases from eating a rat, but he would have to have eaten some flesh for this to be a possibility. Given this, it would be a good idea to get him dewormed within the next week.
They can also acquire Leptospirosis, plague and other bacterial infections from rats, but this is quite rare, so there's nothing we would prescribe to prevent these at this time. Watch for vomiting, swellings near his jaw, diarrhea and blood in urine as possible signs of infection. These would normally be seen in 7-10 days if he did in-fact get infected.
Rabies is a possibility with any mammal, but rats are not a common carrier, so the chances of Jax getting rabies from the rat is very small. Signs of rabies can be varied, but include the dog excessively drooling, not able to eat or drink and acting stuporous or aggressive. If you notice any of these signs, then stay away from Jax and call animal control. Rabies is spread through biting, so you don't want to put yourself in any risk of getting bit if Jax is displaying those behaviors. However, please don't worry too much, because this would be very rare.
I hope that helps and everything turns out fine with Jax. Keep in mind that dogs do this sort of thing all the time and the vast majority of them do not get sick from the rat.45Pet Parents found this answer helpful