RATS!!!

[Ulaidian]

I suppose the problem is if your animal is catching and eating the rats, especially if they have been poisoned. When we have used the dogs, the chase instinct takes over, and they just chase everything, kill it, go onto the next one etc. Ferrets are brilliant at it as well, and make great pets
Of course, we don't use any poisons at all, preferring traps and control via predators.

 

[Birdinhand]

Are rats not a danger to cats and dogs if they are to catch and kill them? I just wonder since rats are so known for spreading disease, if it's a good idea to have cats and dogs kill rats-does this not run a risk of them getting sick? And then if they are a pet they are coming into your home after having a rat in their mouth? I'm not judging, just wondering that's all. I have thought about it myself, but I want less animals at this point not more!

they can pass on stuff for sure, though It's probably not worrying about too much. for sure they can pass on worms. we had to worm our barn cats when I was young, pretty regularly, or they would end up invested. In the captive snake world, frozen rats that are then thawed and warmed are used out of preference to live ones because live rodents can pass on disease, mites and also injure the snakes.

 

[jools2014]

^^ That's very interesting, thanks for the explanation. Will keep it in mind if I ever do get a cat or a dog. Never knew that about the snakes!