How to Get Rid of Rats in Your Garden When You Have Dogs

Rats invading your garden is a serious concern – and it’s even trickier when you have dogs at home. You need to eliminate the rodent problem without putting your beloved pets at risk. Traditional rat poisons are generally off the table in this situation, as they are designed to attract and kill rodents but can just as easily attract (and poison) your dogs preventivevet.com.

Instead, you’ll want to use safe, dog-friendly methods to deter and remove rats. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain why rats are appearing in your garden, why they pose risks to your dogs, the safe deterrents and methods you can use (and what not to use), and when it’s time to call a professional pest controller. Read on for expert, pet-safe advice that will help you reclaim your garden from rats while keeping your dogs out of harm’s way.

Why Rats Appear in Gardens (Even When You Have Dogs)

 Food, shelter, and water are the main reasons rats take up residence in gardens. If your yard provides any of these essentials, it can become a rat magnet. Rats are opportunistic survivors – they’ll eat almost anything that humans or pets eat, and plenty of things we wouldn’t. In a typical garden, rodents may be attracted by things like spilled bird seed, fallen fruit, vegetables, or unsecured compost gardenersworld.com.

Pet owners should be especially mindful: leftover dog food or treats left outdoors (or bags of pet food stored in a shed) are basically an open invitation to rats. Even bird feeders can rain down seeds that rodents will happily feast on gardenersworld.com. And yes, it’s unpleasant, but dog waste (faeces) can also provide nourishment for rats bbg.org, so not picking up after your pup might inadvertently be feeding the local rodent population.

In addition to food, shelter makes your garden attractive to rats. They seek hidden, cozy spots to nest and breed. Common hiding and nesting areas include underneath decking, in garden sheds or greenhouses, wood piles, overgrown shrubs, and compost heaps gardenersworld.com. Tall grass, clutter, and unchecked vegetation give rats cover from predators (and from your dog) as they move around. If you notice burrow holes along fences or under structures, that’s a sign rats might have set up a home on your property.

They favour spots that are undisturbed and sheltered from weather – for example, the void under a shed or deck is prime real estate for a rat nest.

Finally, water sources can play a role. Rats need regular water to survive. Gardens with ponds, dripping taps gardenersworld.com, or even water bowls left out for pets may attract thirsty rodents. Remove any unnecessary water sources (without sacrificing essentials like bird baths for wildlife) to make your garden less hospitable to rats.

Key takeaway: Even if you have dogs, your garden can attract rats if it provides food, shelter, or water. Removing these attractants is the first step in controlling a rat problem. In the next sections, we’ll cover how to do that in a pet-safe way and why you need to be cautious when pets and pests mix.

Why a Rat Infestation Is Risky When You Have Dogs

Having rats in the garden isn’t just a cosmetic or “yuck” problem – it poses genuine health and safety risks for your dogs (and for you). Rats are considered vermin for good reason: they can spread a number of dangerous diseases and parasites that affect animals and humans alike. For example, rats are notorious for carrying leptospirosis, a bacteria that can infect dogs and humans (in people it’s called Weil’s disease) and can lead to serious illness gardenersworld.com.

They also spread Salmonella, hantavirus, and other pathogens that can make pets very sick preventivevet.com. Moreover, rats often carry fleas and ticks on their bodies – if your dog comes into contact with areas where rats have been, these parasites can hop onto your pet and transmit diseases preventivevet.com.

Another big concern is the direct interaction between dogs and rats. If your dog is the curious or hunting type, they might chase or corner a rat in the garden. A frightened rat can bite or scratch in self-defense, potentially injuring your dog and transmitting bacteria through the wound. Even if the rat doesn’t bite, simply mouthing or picking up a rat (dead or alive) is risky – your dog could contract parasites (like roundworms) or bacteria from the rodent’s body. Veterinary experts warn that contact with rodents, even dead ones, can expose pets to harmful bacteria and parasites that may cause illness.

Furthermore, many homeowners’ first instinct for dealing with rats – putting out poison bait – is extremely dangerous in a home with dogs. Store-bought rat poisons are highly toxic to pets, and unfortunately, they are often formulated with tasty ingredients to attract animals preventivevet.com. That means your dog might find poison bait just as enticing as a rat would. Ingesting even a small amount of common rat poison can be lethal for a dog, causing internal bleeding, kidney failure, or neurological damage preventivevet.com.

There’s also the hazard of secondary poisoning: a rat that eats poison might stagger out and die somewhere accessible – if your dog finds that poisoned rat and decides to chew or eat it, they could ingest the toxin indirectly preventivevet.com. Clearly, traditional poisons are a no-go if you have pets around.

Even certain types of rat traps can be hazardous to dogs. Standard snap traps, if left in the open, could snap on a curious dog’s nose or paw. Glue traps – sticky boards designed to catch rodents – won’t poison your dog, but they can cause mess and distress if your dog touches them (imagine getting a glue board stuck to your dog’s fur or tail) and are considered inhumane to the rodent besides preventivevet.com.

Lastly, a rat infestation can create stress for your pets. Dogs can often sense or smell rodents in the home or garden and may become anxious or fixated on the areas where they hear scratching or smell rat scent. If you notice your dog repeatedly staring at a particular fence line, barking at the shed, or digging in a certain spot, it could be reacting to rat activity (dogs have a far keener sense of smell and hearing than we do). That kind of agitation can affect your dog’s behavior and well-being.

In summary, rats in the garden present multiple risks to dogs: disease exposure, physical injury, and poisoning (if unsafe control methods are used). Always approach rodent control with pet safety as the top priority. Next, we’ll look at safe, pet-friendly ways to deter and get rid of rats without endangering your dogs.

Safe Dog-Friendly Rat Deterrents and Control Methods

When dealing with rats around dogs, the goal is to eliminate the rodents without using anything that could harm or poison your pets. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies and products that fit the bill. The cornerstone of dog-safe rat control is an approach that combines prevention, deterrence, and careful elimination. Here are the top pet-friendly methods to try:

• Environmental Cleanup & Denial: Start by making your garden less attractive to rats. This means removing food sources and nesting opportunities. Secure all your bins with tight lids and never leave trash bags sitting out preventivevet.com. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors – feed your dogs indoors if possible, or if you must feed outside, pick up any leftovers immediately and store dog food in sealed containers preventivevet.com. Take down bird feeders for a while if rats are present (or at least diligently clean up any spilled seeds gardenersworld.com). Keep your compost bin rat-proof: use a sturdy bin with a lid, and don’t throw in meat, dairy, or cooked scraps that particularly attract rodents bbg.orgbbg.org. If you have fruit trees, regularly collect any fallen fruit on the ground preventivevet.com. Also, clean up dog waste promptly – as noted earlier, even dog droppings can feed rats bbg.org. On the shelter side, tidy up your garden: trim overgrown bushes and grass, clear any piles of wood, bricks, or debris, and seal off spaces under sheds or decking. A tidy, well-maintained garden gives rats fewer places to hide and nest gardenersworld.com. You can also move things around periodically – rats are neophobic (afraid of new things)gardenersworld.com, so a changing environment may discourage them from settling in. By removing the easy food and harborage, you’ll make any rats think twice about sticking around.

• Dog-Safe Deterrent Scents & Plants: A commonly suggested natural deterrent for rats is using strong smells that rats dislike. Examples include peppermint oil, eucalyptus, citronella, or ammonia. Peppermint in particular is often touted as a repellent – some people soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in rat-prone areas. Does it work? It might help to some extent, as rats have a sensitive sense of smell. However, you should use scent-based deterrents with caution. First, avoid anything toxic or irritating to your dog: for instance, ammonia or bleach should never be used openly in the garden (they’re hazardous to pets and wildlife). Even peppermint oil, while natural, can irritate a dog’s nose or eyes if used heavily, and if a curious dog licked a concentrated cotton ball it could upset their stomach. There’s also mixed evidence on effectiveness – experts note that things like peppermint, mothballs, or strong spices may not truly stop determined rats for long bbg.org. That said, planting certain herbs might create a less rat-friendly aroma in your garden. Lavender, sage, and mint are plants with strong scents that rats reportedly dislike rentokil.co.uk, and they are generally safe for dogs to be around. Feel free to plant these as a supplementary deterrent. Avoid plants that are toxic to pets even if they repel rodents – for example, chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin which deters rats but are poisonous to dogs and cats rentokil.co.uk. In summary, smell-based deterrents won’t eliminate an infestation, but they can be part of a multi-pronged approach. Use them in moderation and always ensure your dog cannot ingest whatever you use.

• Pet-Safe Rat Traps: Trapping is one of the most effective ways to eliminate rats without poison, but you have to choose the right traps and use them in a pet-conscious way. Ordinary snap traps will kill rats, but they pose a danger to dogs (and other wildlife) if left where a non-target animal can access them. The good news is there are tamper-resistant trap setups available. You can purchase lockable plastic bait stations that can house a snap trap inside – the rat can enter the little hole, but your dog cannot reach the trap mechanism. If you use snap traps, place them inside boxes or under milk crates wired to the ground, so that only a rodent can get inside bbg.org. Check the traps every day if not more often – a trap can only catch one rat at a time, and you don’t want a suffering rat stuck there longer than necessary (plus you’ll need to remove it before your dog finds the carcass). Another option is live traps (catch-and-release) cages. These allow you to catch a rat without harming it. If you go this route, be extremely careful handling and relocating the trapped rat – wear gloves (to avoid disease) and release it far from your property (and ideally not near anyone else’s home). Keep in mind that releasing wild rats is often not a real solution (they may come back, or you might just be giving someone else the problem), and in some areas it may be regulated. Still, live traps are pet-safe and humane if you’re prepared for the next steps.

• Modern Humane Traps: There are also innovative electronic and automatic traps designed to be humane and safe around pets. One example is the Goodnature A24 trap, a CO2-powered automatic rat trap preventivevet.com.  This device (pictured above) lures rats in and then dispatches them instantly with a calibrated blow, without using any poison or electricity. The Goodnature trap then resets itself, allowing it to catch multiple rats before you need to rebait. Importantly, it’s designed so that it’s very difficult (virtually impossible) for a dog or cat to get harmed by it preventivevet.com – the mechanism is enclosed and the lure is a specific formula that, while attractive to rodents, is not toxic to pets. (It’s usually a chocolate-based or nut-based scent lure, which isn’t harmful, though a dog might still be curious about the smell preventivevet.com, so you’d still want to mount the trap in an area your dog can’t physically reach). Electronic traps are another pet-friendly choice; these deliver a quick electric shock to kill the rat once it enters a chamber. They are generally safe as long as your dog can’t paw or nose at the device – place them behind appliances, in a garage, or in a fenced-off garden corner. Any trap that could potentially interest your dog (for example, some use peanut butter as bait) should be kept completely inaccessible to your pup. Never use cheap sticky glue traps; not only are they cruel to the rat, but they could end up stuck to your dog or other animals preventivevet.com – a lose-lose situation.

• Pet-Safe Rodent Baits: Given the high risk of standard rodenticides, many dog owners understandably want a totally non-toxic rat killing method. Aside from traps, there are a couple of pet-safe bait products on the market. These are poison-free formulas designed to kill rats without harming non-target animals. One example is a product based on corn gluten meal (sold under names like RatX or Eraza in some places). This type of bait exploits a difference in physiology: rodents cannot vomit, and they have a unique digestive reaction to certain grains. Corn gluten bait causes rats to stop feeling thirsty; they become lethally dehydrated after consuming it pesticide.org. A dog or cat that accidentally eats the bait (or a rat that consumed it) is not supposed to suffer the same fate, because larger mammals can metabolize or expel it – and there’s no secondary poisoning of predators or scavengers pesticide.org. While you should still use these products carefully (any foreign substance can upset your pet’s stomach if eaten in large amounts), they are worth considering as a much safer alternative to anticoagulant rat poisons. Always read the labels to ensure a product is truly pet-safe and follow the usage directions. Even “pet-safe” baits should be put in areas your dog can’t reach, as ingesting a large quantity could still make them ill (and you don’t want your dog developing a taste for any rat bait).

• Natural Predators (and why your dog isn’t enough): You might be wondering if your dog’s presence alone can solve the rat issue. After all, dogs (and cats) have been used for rodent control for centuries. It is true that certain dog breeds (like terriers) are excellent rat hunters and may catch the occasional rat. However, relying on your pet to police the yard isn’t a safe or effective strategy to clear out an infestation. For one, rats are mostly nocturnal – they’ll come out when your dog is asleep inside, and they’re adept at scurrying out of a dog’s reach or staying in hiding. Secondly, as mentioned, there’s risk to your dog if it tangles with a rodent. Finally, rats breed quickly – a single female can have a dozen pups every few weeks – so even a good ratter dog can’t keep up with a growing colony. Interestingly, studies have shown that tricks like putting out dog or cat hair, or urine, around the garden (to “mark” the territory) do not actually deter rats bbg.org. Wild rats in urban areas are used to the scent of pets and humans and will boldly go where the food is. That being said, encouraging natural predators in general can help in rural settings – for example, owls or cats in the area may take a few rats. You can install an owl box to invite owls (who can eat many rodents). But do note, never use poison if you’re hoping for owls to help, because if an owl eats a poisoned rat, the owl could die too extension.unh.edu. Overall, think of your dog as a helper or early warning system, but not the primary rat control method.

• Ultrasonic Repellents and Gadgets: Many ultrasonic plug-in devices are sold claiming to repel rats (and other pests) by emitting high-frequency sounds. The idea is that these sounds are distressing to rodents but (supposedly) inaudible to humans and maybe to pets. In reality, ultrasonic rat repellents have not proven very effective in scientific testing bbg.orgpesticide.org. Rats can quickly habituate to sounds if they learn they’re harmless, and the sound waves often don’t penetrate walls or reach deep into clutter where rodents hide. Additionally, some of these devices can be heard by dogs (depending on the frequency used), potentially irritating your pup with a constant noise. For these reasons, ultrasonic gadgets are generally not the best solution. You’re better off focusing on the environmental and trapping approaches above.

As you implement these pet-safe strategies, remember to monitor the situation. Keep an eye out for signs of remaining rodent activity: new droppings, gnaw marks, burrow holes, or that tell-tale scampering at night. It can take time and persistence to fully solve a rat problem, but with diligent use of the above methods, you should see progress without any harm to your pets. In the next section, we’ll highlight a few things you should NOT do when dealing with rats around dogs (some common tactics can be dangerous or counterproductive).

What Not to Use (or Do) When You Have Dogs

Just as important as the safe methods you should use, are the methods you must avoid for your dogs’ sake. Here are the top rodent control approaches to steer clear of when pets are in the picture:

• Don’t use rat poison (rodenticides) around your home or garden. This is rule number one for pet owners. As discussed earlier, rat poisons are extremely toxic to dogs and other animals. There is currently no rodenticide on the market that magically targets only rats and spares pets or wildlife extension.unh.edu – any poison that kills rodents will also pose a lethal risk to dogs, cats, birds of prey, and even children. Even “pet-friendly” bait stations (the kind you can buy in shops) are not foolproof. While they might prevent your dog from directly eating the bait, a poisoned rat could exit and then die where your dog can find it, leading to secondary poisoning preventivevet.com. Additionally, rats often drag bait or crumbs out of stations; one little poisoned pellet dropped in the grass is enough to kill a small dog. Bottom line: avoid poisons altogether in a dog-friendly garden. Opt for integrated pest management and traps instead. Not to mention, using poisons can result in rats dying in hard-to-reach places (inside walls or under sheds), leading to horrible odours and decay – another headache you don’t want to deal with pesticide.org.

• Avoid glue traps (glue boards). These sticky pads are sometimes used indoors for mice or placed along rat runways. They are inhumane to the rodent – causing a slow, stressful death – and they create a hazard for any other creature that touches them. A pet’s paw or tongue can easily get stuck on a glue board. Imagine your poor dog panicking with a glue trap stuck to its snout or fur. It’s not worth it. And if a non-target animal (like a songbird, hedgehog, or your neighbor’s cat) gets caught, you’ll have inflicted harm unintentionally. Many experts and animal welfare groups strongly condemn glue traps preventivevet.com. Give them a miss.

• Be careful with DIY “natural” rat poison recipes. With poisons off the table, you might come across homemade solutions like mixing baking soda with peanut butter, or plaster powder with chocolate, etc. The idea is that some household substances can kill rats without “real poison.” The truth is, these methods are not reliably effective – and they can still be dangerous for your dog. For example, a popular myth is that baking soda will cause a rat’s stomach to bloat and kill it. In practice, a rat would have to eat a lot of it, and often these mixes are combined with pet-attracting foods like peanut butter. If you put out peanut butter balls laced with baking soda or other chemicals, what’s stopping your dog from gobbling them up? Large amounts of baking-soda concoction or other DIY mixtures can absolutely harm your pet. Veterinary sources warn that homemade rodent bait often results in the same risks as commercial bait, because your pet can be poisoned or sickened by the ingredients you use preventivevet.com. So don’t take chances on unproven home brews – you could end up at the vet with a poisoned pup.

• Don’t use mothballs or other toxic “critter repellents.” Mothballs (naphthalene balls) are sometimes touted as a rat or snake repellent. They are highly toxic if ingested by dogs (and the fumes aren’t healthy for them either). Plus, studies show they do little to deter rats; the smell isn’t enough to overcome a rat’s desire for food, and they may simply avoid the area with the mothballs, moving elsewhere in your garden. Similarly, avoid sprinkling harsh chemicals or irritants like bleach, chlorine, or strong ammonia around – you’ll create a hazardous environment for your pets and yourself, likely without solving the rat problem.

• Don’t assume your dog (or a cat) will solve the issue by hunting. As mentioned earlier, while some pets catch the occasional rodent, they are not an eradication method. You also should not encourage your dog to engage with rats. It’s not safe for them, and a terrier can dispatch a few rats but won’t stop an entire infestation from breeding. Letting pets hunt exposes them to the aforementioned disease and parasite risks, so it’s best to focus on other control methods. Think of your pets as part of the ecosystem of your home, not pest control tools.

• Be wary of gimmicks: This includes ultrasonic repellers, “magic” sound emitters, vibrating stakes, or any product that claims to have a secret formula to repel rats. As noted, ultrasonic devices haven’t been proven effective in real-world conditions bbg.org – rats often get used to the noise. Various smell-based repellents (pepper sprays, predator urine granules, etc.) also show little long-term result bbg.org. No matter what the packaging promises, there is no silver bullet that will guarantee rats flee and never return. If something sounds too good (or too easy) to be true, it probably is. Stick to the fundamentals: sanitation, exclusion, and careful trapping. And if those aren’t enough, bring in the professionals.

• Never use illegal or unsafe practices: This should go without saying, but sometimes in desperation people try extreme measures. Do not resort to things like firearms (firing at rats in your garden is dangerous and likely illegal within residential areas), nor should you use concoctions like gasoline or poison powders in burrows (these can poison the soil, water, and any other animal nearby, and many are illegal for consumer use) bbg.org. You also shouldn’t try to flood burrows excessively or set fires – you could damage your property and still not get the rats. Always use safe, humane approaches or contact a pest control service.

By avoiding the above “what not to do” list, you’ll protect your dogs and other innocent wildlife from harm. Now that we’ve covered both do’s and don’ts, let’s discuss when a rat problem might be beyond DIY measures. Sometimes, calling in a professional is the safest and most effective course of action – especially in a pet-friendly way.

When to Call a Professional Pest Control Service

If you’ve tried the preventive measures and DIY approaches and rats are still regularly active in your garden, it may be time to call in the experts. A professional pest control service (like GEM Services, based in Ashford and serving all of Kent) can provide safe, efficient rat removal that keeps your pets in mind. Here are some situations where you should strongly consider calling a professional:

• Established or Large Infestations: Seeing the occasional single rat might be handled with traps, but if you’re noticing multiple rats, frequent droppings, burrows, or if the rats keep coming back no matter what you do, you likely have an established colony. Professionals have the tools to identify nesting sites, entry points, and the size of the infestation, and they can tackle the problem at its source. They can often get results faster, before the population explodes further.

• Rats Inside the Home or Hard-to-Reach Areas: If rats have made their way into your loft/attic, walls, or under floorboards, DIY methods become far more challenging. You don’t want to be laying poison in your loft when you have pets roaming the house (nor should you). Pest controllers can safely deploy tamper-resistant bait stations in these areas or use traps in a controlled manner, minimizing any risk to your dogs. They also know how to search for hidden entry holes and will help you proof your home against rodents.

• Concerns about Pet Safety: Maybe you’re unsure about how to set traps without risking your dog, or you’re nervous about handling a live or dead rat. There’s no shame in calling a professional in these cases – in fact, it’s the prudent choice. Professionals will use pet-safe practices by default. For example, they may use special locked bait boxes (and as a licensed company, they have access to certain professional-grade baits or methods that might be more effective yet used in a way that non-target exposure is minimized). They can also ensure any traps are placed in dog-proof locations and will remove dead rodents so you don’t have to worry about your dog finding them.

• Recurring or Stubborn Problems: If your rat problem goes away for a while and then keeps returning (perhaps due to environmental factors like nearby waterways, farms, or messy neighbors), a professional can set up a monitoring and maintenance plan. For instance, GEM Services offers maintenance visits and ongoing support. This kind of service can be invaluable to keep your property rat-free long-term, and they’ll give you tailored advice on how to keep rodents out for good, all while keeping your pets safe.

When choosing a pest control company, make sure to mention you have dogs (and/or other pets) so they know to use pet-friendly approaches. Reputable pest controllers are well-versed in this – for example, using traps instead of poison where possible, or placing any necessary bait in locations and containers your pets absolutely cannot access. They can also advise you on whether your dogs should be kept away from certain parts of the house or garden temporarily during the treatment.

Hiring professionals not only brings expertise but also peace of mind. Dealing with rats can be stressful, and even a bit frightening for some homeowners. Knowing the job is being handled by someone trained, and that your pets won’t be put in danger, is very reassuring. Plus, pest control experts can often solve the problem more thoroughly, addressing not just the rats you see, but the ones you don’t see by targeting nests, sealing entry points, and using their experience of rat behaviour.

If you’re in Ashford or anywhere in Kent, GEM Services can help you with exactly this kind of pet-safe, effective rat control. We are a local pest control company that understands how important your pets are to you – our professional rat control treatments are designed to quickly eliminate the infestation while ensuring your dogs (and other animals) stay safe. We can also provide guidance on preventing future issues, so you won’t have to constantly battle rodent invaders.

Remember: There’s no shame in calling in reinforcements. Rats are one of the trickiest pests to handle on your own, especially when you’re balancing safety concerns with pets. A professional will assess your specific situation and choose the best approach, whether that’s trapping, baiting in secure ways, or a combination of methods. And they’ll do it efficiently – saving you time and potential frustration or hazard.

Contact GEM Services for Pet-Safe Rat Control

If you’re dealing with rats in your garden and you have dogs or other pets, don’t take unnecessary risks. GEM Services (based in Ashford, covering all of Kent) is here to help with expert rat control solutions that put safety first. With our experience and commitment to humane, pet-friendly pest control, we’ll resolve your rat problem and give you back a clean, rodent-free home environment.

Call us today to discuss your situation or to schedule a visit from our friendly technicians. We’ll not only remove the rats, but also advise you on how to keep them from coming back – all while making sure your dogs stay happy and healthy. Protect your home and your pets by letting professionals take care of the issue. Get in touch with GEM Services now for fast, safe rat removal and peace of mind! 🐾

FAQs

Will rats stay away if you have dogs?

Not necessarily. While a dog’s presence (or even their scent) might discourage rats from coming out into the open during daylight, it won’t guarantee your garden stays rat-free. Rats are primarily nocturnal, so they often forage at night when dogs are inactive or indoors. If your property has food and shelter available, determined rats may visit despite the resident dog. Some people believe that having a dog (or sprinkling dog hair/urine around) will deter rodents, but studies show these tactics have little to no impact on rat activity bbg.org. In fact, city rats are quite accustomed to living around humans and their pets. While certain dog breeds (like terriers) may catch and kill the occasional rat, this is not enough to control a full infestation – and it carries risks to the dog. So, don’t rely on your dog alone to keep rats away. It’s better to rodent-proof your garden and use safe control methods as outlined above.

What rat control methods are safe around dogs?

The safest rat control methods when you have dogs are those that don’t involve poison and that restrict the dog’s access to any traps or bait. Some top options include:

• Enclosed Rat Traps: Use snap traps inside pet-proof boxes or tubes bbg.org so that only a rodent can reach the bait and trigger. You can buy tamper-resistant trap stations or improvise by covering traps with a crate or container that has openings small enough for rats but not for your dog.

• Electronic Traps: These deliver a quick electric shock to kill the rat inside a closed chamber. Place them in areas your dog can’t get to. The rodent is contained inside, and you can later dispose of it safely.

• Goodnature A24 or Similar Automatic Traps: These CO2-powered traps are designed to be humane and pet-safe – there’s no exposed poison or snapping mechanism that a dog could accidentally set off. (They should still be mounted out of the dog’s reach if possible.) The lure used is not toxic to pets preventivevet.com, and the trap resets automatically for multiple kills.

• Pet-Safe Baits (Rodenticide Alternatives): If you absolutely need to use a bait, choose one like RatX or other corn-based baits that do not harm dogs and wildlife pesticide.org. Even so, place them in secured bait stations that your dog cannot open or chew.

• Integrated Prevention: Often the best “method” is prevention – seal entry holes, eliminate food sources, and keep the environment clean. This reduces the need for any hazardous materials. It’s a safe strategy for pets and effective for the long term.

Always supervise your dog when they’re in an area that has any kind of rodent control measure in place. And remember, never use standard rat poisons or open traps where your dog can get them, as those are very dangerous. By sticking to traps and approaches that physically block your dog’s access to the rat or the mechanism, you can get rid of rats without incident.

Does dog poop attract rats?

Unfortunately, yes – dog faeces can attract rats to your garden. It might sound gross, but to a hungry rat, dog poop can serve as a food source bbg.org. Rats are omnivorous scavengers; they will eat literally anything with nutritional value, and that includes the undigested bits of food in animal droppings. In urban areas, dog waste left on lawns or in gardens is known to draw the attention of rodents (it’s even cited as one of the top food sources for rats in some city studies). This is yet another reason to clean up after your dog promptly. By picking up the poop and disposing of it, you remove one more free buffet that might be sustaining the local rat population. Beyond attracting rats, leaving dog mess around can also attract flies and cause hygiene issues for your pets and family, so it’s good practice overall to keep your yard clear of pet waste. In summary: dog poop in the garden will not keep rats away – it will do the opposite, so scoop that poop!

Sources:

1. BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine – “Rats in the garden” (on why rats are attracted to gardens and what they eat) gardenersworld.com

2. Preventive Vet – Pet-Safe Rodent Control article (dangers of rat poison to dogs; pet-friendly alternatives) preventivevet.compesticide.org

3. Brooklyn Botanic Garden – “Keep Rats Out of Your Garden” (expert advice on deterring rats, impact of dog/cat scents, and safe trapping practices) bbg.orgbbg.org

4. Rentokil UK – “How do I get rid of rats in the garden?” (tips on natural deterrent plants and their pet toxicity) rentokil.co.uk

5. Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides – “Managing Rat Problems” (why trapping is preferable to poisoning when pets are around) pesticide.orgpesticide.org

6. GEM Services – Rat Control in Ashford & Kent (local expert pest control information, emphasising safe and effective rat removal) gemservices.uk