How to Keep Pet Rats Safe From Dogs

You love pet rats and you love pet dogs, but you've also found keeping the two in the same household can be quite a challenge. Some dogs, like the aptly named rat terrier, are better at catching and killing rats than cats are. With a few strategic steps, you can keep pet rats safe from dogs and keep your household in pet-friendly harmony.

Things You'll Need

  • Secure rat cage
  • High perch
  • Food and treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce the rat and dog to each other. When you first bring the rats and dogs into the same house together, make sure they are aware of each other. Letting the dogs see the rats, and vice versa, may dispel some of the mystery and therefore bore the dogs. Never shove a rat in the dog's face, however. Dogs can snap at them quicker than you may be able to pull them away. Let them meet with aquarium glass between them. Also admonish the dogs if they lick their lips and start to lunge at the rats.

    • 2

      Make sure the cage is secure. You must be sure the dogs can't get in and the rats cannot get out. Glass fish tanks with a clip-on screen top is one of the best ways to go. This way you don't have cage bars that bend, break or snap beneath the force of a dog's powerful jaws.

    • 3

      Put the rats up high. Keep the rats on a comfy perch where the dogs cannot reach them. A tall bookcase is good as long as there is adequate air ventilation above the cage. If the dogs can see or reach the rats, they may spend their days mercilessly lunging at them or trying to knock the cage off the perch.

    • 4

      Take extra precautions when you take the rats out. Whether you are cleaning their cage or giving them a little exercise, make sure you are in a room with the doors shut so the dogs can't get in. Be especially cautious if you put the rats in a rolly ball and let them run around the floor. Even if the dogs can't break into the rolly ball, they may bash it against the wall hard enough to give your rat a concussion.

    • 5

      Feed the animals at the same time. One of the best ways to show animals they are of the same ilk is to give them food at the same time. For some reason it works quite often. Instead of a foe, the animals often learn the other critter eating is similar to him. Giving a round of treats to everyone at the same time is also useful.