At Manolopets.com, we’ve already covered a wide range of things rats can and cannot eat, such as garlic, onion, rice, and pasta. While these articles give you a great idea of what you can and cannot feed your pet rat, you might have wondered if rats eat other dead rats in the wild. I know I’ve wondered this before. In this article, I’ll go in-depth on the topic, and try to cover the subject as well as I can.
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Will Rats Eat Dead Rats?
Yes, rats will occasionally eat other dead rats. They might do this either because of a lack of other food or to prevent the stench of rotting flesh from attracting other predators. Naturally, a dead rat will eventually rot, and the resulting smell might lead bigger animals to the rat nest.
Sometimes, rats will eat other dead rats. This is known as ‘cannibalism’ and rats are far from the only species who engage in the behavior. Cannibalism is most common with wild rats, but some unfortunate pet rat owners have had the displeasure of seeing it firsthand. I’ve heard stories of rat owners having to clean up the mess after one of their rats died, and their cagemates saw an opportunity to eat.
However gross it may be, eating their dead mates provides a rat with ample nutrition, which is often detrimental in a pinch. Rats can survive on almost nothing for long amounts of time, meaning when the opportunity to feast on some meat presents itself, who can blame them for going for it? I know I’d eat almost anything if I was starving.
While rats sometimes do this to still their hunger, it can also be a way to make sure predators don’t pick up the scent of flesh. Some animals can sense the smell from miles away, and eating the corpse eliminates most of the smell. This is not exclusive to rats – other species do the same – and while it might seem gross, it is a matter of survival.
Wilds rats are omnivores, but will often gravitate towards a vegetarian diet. Oftentimes, a wild rat’s diet will mainly consist of plants, fruits, seeds, and berries. While rats will eat meat as well, it usually takes much more energy to hunt down, and vegetarian food is a simpler and safer choice.
Rats may like the taste of meat more than vegetarian alternatives, but hunting for it puts them at a much greater risk. Rats aren’t the biggest animals, so only small prey is available to them. This means that most of the meat a rat consumes is insects, worms, and other very small animals.
On the other hand, dead prey poses a much smaller risk. The animal is already dead, and rats can approach them without having to fight. While other animals might contest the rat for the food, this eating carrion is generally safer.
Do Dead Rats Attract More Rats?
Yes, they do, and this might be a problem for people with unwanted rats in their houses. When a rat senses the scent of another dead rat, it will often gravitate towards it and investigate the body. While they typically won’t stick around for too long, there’s a possibility that they will eat the carcass, as we’ve covered above.
If a rat has died in your house, you will want to remove it as quickly as possible, to prevent the scent from attracting other animals. Do this with caution though, as rats (and especially dead ones) might be infectious. It might be good to hire a professional for this, as they are trained in how to remove rats safely.
How Do Rats React To Dead Rats?
Oftentimes, they will sniff, stare at, stand on, or otherwise investigate the body. This might go on for a few seconds, up to a few hours, before the rat decides to either eat the body or leave it be. A pet rat will often react emotionally to their cagemate’s passing, and if you pay attention, you can notice them grieving their lost friend.
We don’t yet fully know if rats understand the concept of death, but we do know they can feel a sense of missing someone. Rats who lose their cagemates are known to experience grief. I’ve heard stories of people with pet rats who observed that their pets got extremely upset after losing their cagemates. Apparently, the rats never really became themselves again after that, so the experience really affected them.
How Long Do Dead Rats Smell For?
A dead rat will typically smell for up to 3-5 weeks before the decomposition has had its full effect. The decomposition of a rat’s body produces a foul stench, that lasts until the process is complete. Various factors dictate how long this takes. These factors include, but are not limited to, temperature, humidity, the size of the body, and ventilation (if it happens in a house).
The stench won’t leave immediately after decomposition is complete, however. It often stays for a few weeks, which can be a huge pain to homeowners with dead rats in their walls, attic, or basement. This leads many to hire a pest control firm to take care of the problem. They will identify where the rat is located, and safely remove it from your house.
Is It OK To Leave A Dead Rat In The Wall?
While you could just leave a dead rat in your wall, it might cause problems. Firstly, the stench will likely be unbearable, meaning you won’t want to spend too much time at home in the coming weeks. Secondly, a dead rat might attract other rats and rodents, as mentioned above, potentially leading to bigger problems down the line. Perhaps you can live with this, and I am sure many do, but I recommend removing dead rats from your walls as quickly as possible, to minimize stench and further infestation.
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Hey, I’m Peter. During the last 25 years, I have owned and raised over 20 pet animals. On this blog, I do my best to share my learnings during this time, to hopefully help others.