Does Dog Food Attract Rats?

If the mere idea of rats setting up residence in your home makes your skin crawl, it's definitely a smart idea to protect yourself against the possibility to the greatest of your ability. Dog food is a major draw for the pesky rodents, especially when it is left outside for extended periods of time.

  1. Leaving Dog Food Outside

    • If you leave dog food out in bowls in the yard, don't be surprised if you notice the sudden emergence of unwanted rat visitors. Rats are attracted to sustenance, and dog food is no exception here. Minimize the chances of seeing rats in your yard by never offering your doggie more than what he can realistically eat in a maximum of half an hour. If you keep the food out for too long, then that provides rats with more time to make their way to it -- no thanks. If a rat notices that your yard is home to a constant supply of dog food, she just might establish a nest -- and then start to rapidly breed steps away from your residence.

    Storage

    • Apart from not allowing dog food to linger outside for long, appropriate and secure storage is also essential for keeping rats away. Put your pooch's food in a receptacle that is made out of either metal or glass, and make sure that you can seal it shut. Do not only maintain these storage habits while rats are on your property. Prevention is key to keeping rats at bay. If you revert to insufficient pet food management when the rats finally seem like a problem of the past, you might just notice their swift return.

    Feeding Dogs Indoors

    • The scent of dog food is appealing to rats. Because of that, it could be helpful to always feed your dog indoors as a way of preventing or eliminating a rat dilemma. If you do choose to feed your pet outdoors, always carefully scour the feeding area for scattered remnants after you remove his feeding dish.

    Powerful Scent

    • Never assume that you don't have a rat problem in your neighborhood. Even if you've never spotted rats -- or their conspicuous droppings -- in or around your house, they could still be lurking. The powerful smell given off by dog food can lure rodents remotely, indicates the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.