Pet Care Info

Pet Care Library Ask The Experts World Pet News Pet Adoption Pet Loss Resources

Pet Breed Profiles

Cat Breed Profiles Dog Breed Profiles Horse Breed Profiles Rabbit Breed Profiles Browse All Profiles

Reader Galleries

Cat Photo Gallery Dog Photo Gallery Horse Photo Gallery Rabbit Photo Gallery More Galleries

Tools

Pet Name Finder Online Pet Memorials Search Adoptable Pets

Newsletter

Sign Up Now
for our weekly email packed full of pet info!
[View Latest Issue]

Monthly Pet Poll

Do You Have Pet Health Insurance? - Vote Now!

YES
NO

Home > Resources > Ask The Experts > Small Pet Advice

Do Rats Carry Disease?

by James Glover
View Biography

Tools:

Bookmark

Comment

I am worried that rats carry diseases. I clean and disinfect my pet rats' cage once a week but sawdust sometimes escapes from the cages which is contaminated with urine. Have I placed my other pets (cats and dogs) at risk? (Andrew Morris - New Jersey)

Wild rats carry diseases to which both humans and animals are susceptible. Since yours probably come from a line which has never had contact with wild rats, it is highly unlikely that they carry any more disease risk than, say, a hamster.

The vaccines that your dogs and cats should get annually will protect against the diseases your rat may carry (such as leptospirosis).

More Pet Mice & Rats Questions & Answers

Disclaimer: This service is meant to provide advice only and is not meant to replace an appointment with a registered veterinarian. Users should always seek a second opinion. Unfortunately we are only able to answer several questions per week so not everyone gets a published answer. And, unfortunately we can't answer by email.

Readers' Comments (Newest to Oldest)

There are currently no comments for this question and answer.

This Week's Featured Small Pet Articles

My Whiskers is such a poser! Just look at her! (Read More)
Browse Galleries

Most Viewed
Most Recent