Getting warm and cosy is often quite appealing for us humans and it's the same for rats who look for warm places to nest.
Since some of the places they choose may sometimes be in our homes and gardens, it’s worth knowing what harm they can actually do to humans and pets.
The rodents are known for carrying diseases but how harmful are they?
What diseases are carried by rats?
Brown rats carry diseases such as “leptospirosis or Weil's disease, salmonella, listeria, toxoplasma gondii and hantavirus”, according to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) website.
These diseases can be passed on to humans, usually by rat urine.
The NHS website says you can get leptospirosis “if soil or freshwater (such as water from a river, canal or lake) that contains infected pee gets in your mouth, eyes or a cut, usually during activities like kayaking, outdoor swimming or fishing” or “you touch an infected animal's blood or flesh, usually from working with animals or animal parts”.
It adds that getting leptospirosis from pets, other people or bites is “very rare”.
Can rats be harmful to dogs?
The PDSA website explains that dogs can also get leptospirosis which is a disease that is caused by bacteria.
It is serious and often fatal for dogs. It can be caught from a number of things including from the urine of rodents – a dog who spends lots of time on a farm may come across this.
How to get rid of these common garden pests
Dogs can also catch it from infected dogs or if they sniff or lick the floor where an infected dog has urinated.
Recommended reading:
- Garden experts share 7 tips for keeping rats out of your garden
- Have you found rats in your house or garden? What to do if you see rodents
- RSPCA shares how to get rid of rats in your home or garden without harming them
Lepto can live in wet ground and freshwater, including rivers and lakes, for months.
Vets can vaccinate dogs against the types of leptospirosis found in the UK.
Symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs include a high temperature, jaundice (yellow gums and eyes), muscle pain and limping plus vomiting and more.
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