Dr Joanna Woodnutt MRCVS, a vet at insurance provider ManyPets, spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about dogs catching rats.
“Jack Russell Terriers were bred for killing rats, and they’re very good at it,” Dr Woodnutt revealed.
The vet explained that when a Jack Russell Terrier picks up a floppy toy and shakes it, “that’s a good sign of their rat-killing abilities”.
Dr Woodnutt elaborated: “Jack Russell Terriers are fast, and they chase their prey then pick them up and shake them, which breaks the rat’s spine.”
If you have a Jack Russell Terrier, and they do bite a rat, what should you do?
“It’s fine for Jack Russell Terriers to bite rats,” Dr Woodnut said. “But you shouldn’t let them eat them, because there’s a risk that the rat ate poison.
Most dogs should “lose interest the second the rat stops moving”, or they “may proudly carry it around”, but they’re unlikely to eat the rat.
However, rats can cause injury to your dog because of their sharp teeth, so you should check your dog over for any cuts or bite marks.
“Any injuries that break through the skin should be seen by a veterinarian,” Dr Woodnutt affirmed.
“Another important consideration is your dog’s vaccinations,” the vet added, highlighting the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease.
“Rats are a common source of leptospirosis,” Dr Woodnut explained. “Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated before letting them contact rats.”
While Jack Russell Terriers are considered the “best [dog] breed” for catching rats, another noteworthy breed is the Patterdale Terrier.
Dr Woodnutt added: “Another good option for rat control is cats – they’re usually quieter and more patient, and for that reason they can be more successful. The very smell of cats can put rats off visiting an area.”
But the typical house cat wouldn’t be the best defender against rats – it would need to be a feral cat, which consequently “don’t make good pets”.
Dr Woodnut explained: “If you have a lot of land to cover, rehoming a couple of neutered farm or feral cats could be a good option.”
