Fact-checked against 1 source · Updated 24 September 2026On this page
Can a cat catch a rat?
A cat can catch a young or small rat, and an outdoor cat's presence will make rats more cautious. But a fully grown Norway rat (the common UK brown rat) is a heavier, more aggressive animal than most people picture — often 200–500g, close to a cat's own fighting weight — and most domestic cats avoid tackling an adult rat head-on. In a real infestation, a cat will usually pick off the odd weak or juvenile rat while the rest of the colony carries on unaffected, nesting and breeding somewhere the cat can't reach, such as a loft, wall cavity or drain.
What about dogs?
Some breeds were bred specifically for this: terriers such as the Jack Russell, Patterdale and rat terrier have a genuine working history as ratters, and an actively worked terrier can be effective against rats in the open. An ordinary pet dog living in the house is a different matter — barking at a rat in the garden isn't the same as controlling a colony, and a dog that does catch or corner a rat risks a bite, since rats can carry infections that make a bite worth treating properly.
Do rats avoid houses with pets?
Rats are cautious animals, and the scent of a cat or dog can make them keep to quieter hours or a wider distance from the house — but avoidance isn't removal. A pet changes when and where rats are bold enough to be seen; it doesn't seal the gap under the shed, clear the food source in the compost heap, or stop rats nesting in the loft next door and simply crossing the garden at night while the dog's asleep indoors.
The real risk: rat poison and pets
If poison bait is used anywhere nearby — by you, a neighbour, or a previous tenant — pets are at genuine risk two ways: eating bait directly, or secondary poisoning from catching and eating a rat that has already taken bait. This is the actual pet-safety issue to worry about, not whether the cat is "doing its job." A competent technician uses secured, tamper-resistant stations and will tell you exactly where they're placed. See our full guide to rat poison and pet safety if you're dealing with an active infestation.
What actually gets rid of rats
The BPCA (British Pest Control Association) is clear that effective rat control comes down to three things: finding where rats are living, treating the infestation properly, and proofing entry points so they can't come back — a pet doesn't do any of these on its own. If you've got an ongoing problem rather than an occasional sighting, see how professional rat control works or go straight to garden rat control and rat proofing.
Pets and rats: quick questions
Will getting a cat solve my rat problem?
Unlikely on its own. A cat may catch the occasional young or small rat and make rats more cautious, but it won't clear an established colony or seal the entry points they're using.
Are rat terriers actually good at catching rats?
Working terriers bred and trained for it can be effective in the open, but this is different from an ordinary pet dog simply living in a house with a rat problem nearby.
Can my pet get sick from a rat?
Yes — through a bite, through contact with droppings or urine, or through secondary poisoning if they eat a rat that has taken bait. Keep pets away from burrows, dead rats, and any bait stations that aren't professionally secured.
Do rats stay away permanently if I have pets?
No. Pets can make rats more cautious about when and where they're seen, but they don't remove food sources, shelter or entry points, so rats often simply adapt around them rather than leaving.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on 24 September 2026. Laws, prices and council services change, so check the current position before relying on them.
This site connects households and businesses in the Newark-on-Trent area with an independent local rat-control technician. We are not the servicing contractor and do not carry out treatment ourselves. See our terms & disclosure.