What Do Rats Contain?
Rats are infamous for their voracious appetite and can eat as much as a third of their body weight every day. Their diets are diverse and they will eat almost anything. They will eat meat, vegetables, poultry, eggs, grain, seeds, fruit, and even carrion. They can survive in a cold climate and breed year-round. During the winter months, they are nocturnal. The female begins breeding at about 40 to 45 days old.
The best way to prevent rats from inhabiting your home is to make sure your home is clean and free of food sources. This can be as simple as removing any wood piles in your yard, removing any dense vegetation near your home, and sealing gaps around the foundation of your home. Also, make sure to clean up any spilled food.
Rats can carry dangerous pathogens that cause disease in humans. Salmonella and leptospirosis are two of the most common infections caused by rats. They can also transmit ectoparasites and plague. Fortunately, these diseases are uncommon, but if you come in contact with a rat, you may experience the symptoms of these diseases.
In addition to being relatively intelligent, rats can be trained to perform tasks for treats. Depending on the type of disease your rat has, you can determine whether you should treat your pet with a course of treatment. For example, if you suspect your pet of suffering from rabies, you should give your pet doxycycline. It can be given as an oral or long-acting depot every seven days. This medication is sold under the brand name Vibravenos by Pfizer Animal Health.