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What do dogs do when they see rats?

Some dogs will run back and forth excitedly to and from the area where they sense the rats. Other common traits include barking or whining incessantly, growling, sniffing at the area where the rats are, and refusing to leave the area even when you try to get your pooch away.

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If your dog senses rats, you will most likely notice some rather peculiar behavior from your pooch. Dogs do react differently depending on the nature of the dog. However, there are some common traits to look out for and this can give you an idea of whether you may have a lone rat wandering around your home or even a dreaded infestation. The behavior of your dog will also depend on the location of the rats that it can sense, smell, and hear. Some dogs react with curiosity while others are more aggressive. It often depends on any experience they may have had in the past with rats. Some dogs may simply sit and stare at the area where they sense the rats are. Some will also head tilt while staring. Your dog may start scratching and scraping at the walls or the floor. If it is outdoors, it may start digging at the floor. Some dogs will run back and forth excitedly to and from the area where they sense the rats. Other common traits include barking or whining incessantly, growling, sniffing at the area where the rats are, and refusing to leave the area even when you try to get your pooch away. You should make sure you note your dog’s body language too, as this will enable you to determine whether it senses rats in the area you are in. Your dog may sit or lie directly next to the area where it can sense the rats – you may find that trying to move your pooch becomes nigh on impossible. You may also see your dog circling the area or running back and forth because it can hear and sense the rats moving around and is following them. You will immediately be able to tell if your dog becomes fixated on a particular area as it will ignore everything else around it other than the rats that it is focusing on.

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Will rats stay away if you have dogs?

Having pets makes no difference. Rats are not deterred by cats or dogs.”

Black and brown rats are very common in Sydney. This is a young black rat. Photo: Mal Weerakoon

What rat is that?

Conservation biologist Professor Peter Banks, from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, said there are two main species of rat in Sydney: the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, also known as the Norway rat and the black rat Rattus rattus, also known as the ship rat or roof rat. “Both have global distributions, spread by European explorers on ships. Black rats are by far the most common in Sydney as a whole, including in bushland areas as well as urban, while the brown rats more common in the inner city.” Professor Banks is concerned that rat baits also kill our native Australian rats. “We have more than 60 species of native rat in Australia,” Professor Banks said. “This includes the water rat or Rakali (indigenous name) Hydromys chrysogaster which can be up to one kilogram and is in Sydney harbour and foreshore areas. Unfortunately, they can also be killed by baiting campaigns - so care should be taken when considering pest rat control near to waterways to protect this species.”

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