Do Shih Tzu Kill Rats? [Is It Dangerous For My Dog]

Shih Tzus are dogs and dogs are wild animals that have been domesticated!

It is in their very nature sometimes to kill other, smaller animals such as rats so yes, Shih Tzus can and do kill rats.

It’s very important to know the risks of a Shih Tzu killing and potentially eating a rat!

Do Shih Tzu Kill Rats?

More often than not, a Shih Tzu killing & eating a rat is a dangerous and stressful event for the dog and you. Knowing the steps you need to take can save your pet from the many deadly diseases that rats can carry. Make sure to always have your vets number on hand to reach out with any emergency questions or situations.

Do Shih Tzu Hunt Rats?

If you don’t want your dog hunting rats without your knowledge and supervision then you can actually, this is called barn hunting. In barn hunting rats are placed in tubes and you can hide those in the grass, bushes, hay etc. The rat is tucked away in a little breathable tube so it is safe for dogs and rats. Learn more here online.

My Shih Tzu Killed A Rat, Does It Need To Get Any Shots?

If your dog is updated on all of their shots such as rabies, then your dog should not need additional vaccines but it is safest to call your vet and make sure that your dog has their shots and that they won’t need to come in if they didn’t get any scratches etc.

Will My Shih Tzu Kill Our Pet Rat?

You can train your dog to not kill your pet rat and to even play nice, but as always animals even your pet Shih Tzu can be unpredictable so it is best to keep your dog and rat separate so no accidents happen so both of your pets are safe.

Tips For Having A Pet Rat And Shih Tzu

When introducing, be very cautious, try keeping your pet rat in a cage that will allow the dog to smell it without the cage being too big that your dog could bite your rat in it.
Never leave them alone in a room together, unless both animals are caged
Realize it will take time for your dog to adjust and go from seeing the rat as food to seeing it as a friend

Can Dogs Sense Rats In The House? Inside The Wall?

Yes, it is believed that dogs, like cats can sense rats, especially in the home as it is their “territory” they are more likely to be controlling and protective of it. If your dog is acting weird at a part of the wall or seems to be chasing something you cannot see, best to call an exterminator.

Can Shih Tzu Eat Rats?

It is not suggested that your Shih Tzu eat a random rat they catch as you don’t know what diseases that the rat may have.

When it comes to the health of your pet, the breed of your dog does not matter so whether your pet is a Shih Tzu or Golden Retriever ate rat, it is not advised and you need to seek their medical care immediately.

My Shih Tzu Just Ate A Dead Rat, Are rats dangerous to dogs?

Yes, a dog eating a rat can have very negative consequences and there are some things you will want to look out for to make sure your dog is not sick. Some problems that can occur in your dog when they eat a rat is toxoplasmosis, a parasite, worms and secondary poisoning and more.

Diseases Rats Can Give Your Shih Tzu

Toxoplasmosis symptoms include muscle weakness, fevers, vomiting, weight loss and diarrhea. Toxoplasmosis can cause diseases and even failure in your dog’s liver disease, pneumonia, cysts in their muscles, digestion issues and more.

Another disease your dog can get is intestinal worm infection, these are when the rat has some sort of tapeworm infection that will transfer to your dog if eaten and can pose a dangerous threat to your dog’s health once it reaches their digestive system. This has similar symptoms to toxoplasmosis.

Rabies, rat bite fever, tularemia, bubonic plague and salmonellosis are all othe dangerous infections your dog may be susceptible to from eating the possibly infected rat.

Since the rat was already dead and your dog did not kill it or if you do not know, it is best to visit the vet immediately especially if you have rodenticide out and the rat could have consumed that which could be very bad for your dog.

Can A Puppy Get Sick From Eating A Rat?

You need to keep a close eye on your puppy if they ate a dead rat or a rat that they found and caught as you don’t know the health of the rat. If you catch your puppy eating it, remove the dog immediately and dispose of the rat.

Next you will want to call or visit the vet right away just to be on the safe side for your puppy. Whether a young puppy or an older dog, rats are not safe for any pet to eat.

My Shih Tzu Just Ate A Rat, What Do I Do?

Before you make your way to the vet you will want to be able to answer these questions for the vet:

– When they ate it, or the best idea you have of when

– Was the whole rat eaten? Partial?

– Was the rat alive or dead already? If it was already dead, do you know?

– Any symptoms your dog is having like mentioned above such as vomiting etc

Should My Shih Tzu Be Allowed To Kill Rats?

It is not safe to let your Shih Tzu kill rats as if the rat is sick with something it could easily transfer over to your Shih Tzu, though if you really wanted you could buy a rat at the pet store for your dog, though that might be a little inhumane for the rat.

Is It Cruel To Let Your Dog Catch Rats?

It is a dog’s natural desire to hunt other, smaller animals sometimes like rats. If you have a rat problem dogs can take care of it just like how cats do, but as far as catching rats for fun it does seem a little cruel.

My Shih Tzu Won’t Stop Killing Rats! What Should I Do?

If your Shih Tzu is killing rats outside on your property then keep them on a long leash outside so they cannot continue to chase, trap and kill rats. It is best to keep supervision on them so they do not reach the rat as that can have fatal consequences.

How To Get Rid Of Rats (Without A Chance Of Poisoning Your Shih Tzu)

It is very dangerous if your dog has killed and eaten a rat that has been poisoned, but there are many ways to get rid of unwanted rats without poison.

Make wherever the rat is living inside or in your backyard undesirable by removing any sleeping spots or where food has been available for them
If indoor then make your structure rat proof as much as possible by looking for any entry points for the rat and sealing every single hole the rat could squeeze in
Make sure your garbage and compost if you have it are secured so the rats aren’t using that as a source of food and keep the area around it very clean and free of trash and junk
If you have a wood pile, try moving it as the rat could be using it as a hiding space
Move any outdoor animal food whether it be for your dog, cows etc fortify that so a rat cannot reach it
Remove or move your bird feeders
Secure your barbeque, grills and any other outdoor eating area and make sure it is clean
Keep the vegetable garden farthest away from your home as possible
Keep your yard free of your pets waste
Remove any water sources potentially available to rats

Do Other Dog Breeds Kill Rats?

All dog breeds have the ability to kill rats. Why do dogs kill rats? Some dogs have actually been bred before specifically to kill rodents such as rats. For those not bred to specifically, it may just seem fun for dogs to chase and kill rats.

It is even possible to train a dog to kill but not eat rats. Rats are still highly dangerous to hunt for dogs due to the diseases but if you exercise caution your dog can help you get rid of your rat problem as long as they are trained properly.

Rats vs Mice

It is important to know the difference between rats versus mice as each has its danger to your dog if it eats them. Rats tend to be bigger than mice, mice are actually scared of rats as they will eat them.

Signs of a rat’s presence are droppings, bite marks, burrows etc as well as the signs of mice as well. We know to call the vet immediately if your dog eats a rat, but you should do the same if it eats a mouse too as it can be just as dangerous.

References:

http://www.barnhunt.com/index.html

https://wagwalking.com/training/catch-rats