If your cat catches a rat in your Madison home, it might seem like they’ve done you a favor—but there’s more to it than you think. While cats are natural hunters, the real problem starts after the catch. Rats pose serious health risks and could signal a bigger infestation hiding in your home.

Here’s what to do:

• Safely dispose of the rat—wear gloves and avoid direct contact.
• Clean and disinfect the area thoroughly to protect yourself and your cat.

But don’t stop there. Where there’s one rat, there’s likely more. That’s where Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control comes in. Our Madison team specializes in keeping your home rat-free, safely, and effectively.

Want to know more about why rats are a bigger problem than they seem and how to handle them properly? Keep reading to learn all the steps you need to take—and how we can help!

Steps to Take When Your Cat Catches a Rat

When your cat catches a rat in your home, acting quickly and correctly is essential. Follow these steps to protect yourself and your family:

Safely Handle the Situation

When dealing with a rat your cat has caught, handling it safely is very important. Follow these steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.

• Wear Gloves: Rats can carry harmful diseases that may spread to humans and pets. Always wear sturdy gloves when handling a dead rat to prevent direct exposure to germs or parasites.
• Dispose Properly: Place the rat into a plastic bag, seal it tightly, and remove it from your home quickly. If you’re unsure about disposal rules, your local city waste service can provide proper guidelines to ensure safe removal.
• Avoid Direct Contact: Keep kids and other pets away from the area to reduce the chances of them being exposed to bacteria or other risks. Block off the area until it has been cleaned to make sure everyone stays safe.

Clean Up Thoroughly

Use a strong disinfectant to clean where the rat or your cat had been. Pay special attention to spots with droppings, fur, or blood. After handling the situation, scrub your hands with soap and warm water.

Check on Your Cat

Rats can bite or scratch when attacked. Check your cat for any wounds that might need attention. Even if your cat seems fine, some diseases like leptospirosis or rat-bite fever are not immediately visible. It’s always best to consult your veterinarian after these encounters.

Address the Bigger Problem

Rats rarely travel alone. If there’s one in your home, more could be lurking out of sight. Dealing with rats at your home requires more than just disposing of the one your cat caught. It’s time to call professionals like us at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

Why Rats in Your Home Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think

Rats aren’t just unsightly; they bring serious risks to your home and health. Here’s why you should always take a rodent sighting seriously:

• Health Risks: Rats can spread diseases to humans and pets through bites, scratches, or even their droppings. Diseases like Hantavirus and Salmonella can come from just having them inside your living space.
• Infestations Can Spiral: Where there’s one rat, there’s often more. These rodents reproduce quickly and can build entire colonies within your walls or attic.
• Structural Damage: Rats chew on just about anything, including wires, insulation, and wooden beams. This can lead to fire hazards and costly repairs.

Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. These rodents are excellent at hiding, which is why professional Madison wildlife control is essential for finding where they’re coming from and preventing re-entry.

Why Cats Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Solve the Problem

It might be tempting to rely on your feline friend to keep rats at bay. After all, it’s in their nature to hunt small animals. However, while your cat catching a rat may seem effective at first glance, this approach falls short when it comes to permanent solutions. Here’s why:

• Cats can’t reach rats hiding in walls, crawl spaces, or other tricky spots.
• Rats can carry diseases that put your cat at risk, especially if your cat comes into contact with rat droppings or urine.
• Killing one or two of these rodents doesn’t address the conditions that allowed them into your home in the first place.

For permanent rat removal and prevention, it’s always better to trust the experts.

How Skedaddle Handles the Problem

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we don’t just remove rats; we make sure they can’t come back. When dealing with these rodents, we use a method that’s both humane and effective. Our one-way doors allow rats to leave your home but block them from re-entering. No traps or harmful chemicals are needed.

Some of the key benefits of working with us include:

• Thorough Inspections: We carefully examine your home to find how rats are getting in and locate areas with signs of activity.
• Humane Solutions: Rats are excluded from your home without unnecessary harm.
• Prevention Measures: Once rats are removed, we seal entry points to keep your home wildlife-free for good.

We understand how unsettling it can be to deal with rats at home, which is why we’re committed to providing reliable Madison wildlife control that protects your home and family.

Keep Rats Out for Good

After Skedaddle removes the rats, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of them returning. Here’s what we recommend:

• Seal Entry Points: Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. Inspect your home for gaps around vents, pipes, or windows.
• Store Food Properly: Keep food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs quickly. Rats are drawn to easy food sources.
• Clear Clutter: Rats thrive in cluttered areas. Declutter your basement, attic, and outdoor spaces to make your home less appealing to them.

If you notice signs of rats like droppings, gnaw marks, or strange noises, don’t delay. Waiting allows the problem to grow, leading to bigger infestations and more damage.

Call the Experts Today

Dealing with rats in your home can feel overwhelming, especially when your cat catches a rat and raises a red flag. Instead of tackling the problem alone, trust the professionals at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Madison to handle it for you. Our Madison wildlife control solutions ensure that rats are removed safely and stay out for good.

Request an estimate today and take the first step toward a rat-free home. We’re here to help you protect your home, your family, and even your pets from the risks of dealing with rats at home. Contact us today to get started.