Can having rabbits in the home attract rats?

[Milky&Honey]

Ok, wasn't too sure on where to post this, so if it's in the wrong place, just tell me:

Quick question, my neighbour started getting rats in their home and they're blaming it on my rabbits who are housed in indoors. Is this actually possible? Can rabbits attract rats? It sounds ludicrous to me, but just wanted to make sure. :wave:

 

[Rhian33]

Absolute rubbish. It's most likely that your neighbours are leaving food around and there is a way in for the rats.

 

[rabbitdan]

Rubbish.
They would surely be attracted to yours not theres?

 

[Milky&Honey]

Phewwie, thanks guys! Feel a bit silly posting this now, but still just wanted to be completely sure xD Thank you for your replies

 

[willowholly]

Simple answer NO!

 

[parsnipbun]

Before arguing with the neighbours about this I would make sure that you can prove the following:

1. That the contents of the litter trays are always emptied into a totally enclosed bin with no mess (ie not put on a garden compost bin etc)

2. that any bunny food is sealed and indoors

3. Hay and straw and bedding are also in a sealed container (whether indoors or out).

Personally I feel that leaving human food rubbish/bin bags out is more likely to attract rats than anything bunny but before taking the high ground ensure that you have high ground to stand on!!

The major culprits that I have noted for attracting rats are feeding the birds (so much so that we had to stop - a bird table is a magnet for rats), feeding foxes (unlikely in your case but a neighbour of ours does it and has had t call the ratman out:roll::roll, or having a lot of decking. The pest control person I spoke to said decking has been a god send for pest control companies . . their business is booming like never before!!

 

[Britannia]

If it's any comfort to you even our Liz had rats once and I bet no one blamed her Corgis.

 

[nessar]

If they are outside their food etc if left lying about can attract them yes, just like any other food or rubbish can.

But your bunnies are inside... so its a load of hogwash!

 

[Elena]

We've never had any problems and ours have been indoors for about four years so I don't think so.

 

[Callu]

If that were true, you'd have the rat problem, not them!

Many many years ago, we found field mice in the rabbit food that was stored in our garage. Being careful with food storage (yours and the buns) is certainly important to keep those rats out of your home!

 

[Dustyrabbit]

Ask your neighbour how she thinks the rats heard about your rabbits if they rats weren't already there? Maybe they watch Sky news or take The Times :lol:

 

[lozzie]

You attract rats by feeding birds, foxes ect. I used to live in the countryside and never saw any rats until I moved to the city. It must be all the takeaways lol

I dread to think what my buns would do to a rat, they scare the kitties away as it is, she is probably looking for someone else to blame.